Answering the Call
By Chris Lemmons
It takes over 50 people to make Impact’s bi-weekly Resource Center food distribution happen, so we recently planned to make a month-long push for volunteers from among the families who come to receive food. After just two weeks the response was both overwhelming and inspiring. The number of volunteer sign-ups was so large that after the two weeks the decision was made to stop asking! The unexpected surge of volunteers could be attributed to several factors.
One reason may be that families who usually only come every other week now have the opportunity to receive additional items after they volunteer. Another reason could be the extraordinary spirit of cooperation among Impact’s staff and volunteers. Those seeking assistance are treated with dignity and respect, and the love of the gospel is evident in the way people are served. It’s also possible that the new volunteers are simply grateful for the blessings they’ve received and are eager to give back by answering the call for help. I believe all of these reasons are true.
I had the privilege of observing one of our new volunteers, unaware that I was watching. She carefully placed items in cars, taking a few extra moments to move a bag of avocados that were at risk of being squished by other items. I saw her repeat this action several times, never complaining or pointing out the mistake of the person who had placed the avocados there. She was simply doing her part to ensure every person was treated with gentleness and respect—just as we would all hope to be treated.
There are countless people involved in Impact’s food ministry—far too many to individually thank or acknowledge. But their work is a beautiful example of human willingness and divine generosity. There’s the willingness to face the elements twice a week, to listen as someone pours out their heart, to deliver food boxes to those in need after a long day, and to balance firmness with kindness when explaining the importance of following the rules. Volunteers also show compassion, offering understanding even to those who may express their struggles in unhealthy ways. These are all examples of living out faith, regardless of the circumstances.
None of this would be possible without the divine generosity of our Lord, who provides the resources to bless 800-1000 families each week. Please pray for continued success and, most importantly, for hearts full of thankfulness for all that He is doing.
