An Abundance of Gratitude
The last time I wrote the eDevotion was at the end of October, just a few days before Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were to either be reduced, delayed, or not come in at all. I remember it being a palpably tense and uncertain period of real concern for many people. The call for food, diapers, and household supply donations went out and Christ Church and the community at large answered in a swift and wholehearted way.
With the freezing of SNAP benefits on November 1, closely followed by an increased presence of federal immigration agents around the east side starting in mid-November, many families felt the added burden of fear while negotiating daily life – work, school, church, and putting food on the table.
Because of your generosity, Lydia’s Pantry at Galilee stepped into the gap and helped feed neighbors in a period of crisis. On the weekdays between October 28 and December 31, approximately 835 people from 21 zip codes were fed out of Lydia's Pantry alone.
Families received bags of shelf-stable food, diapers, and personal supplies to help shore up their household needs. Items distributed by Lydia’s Pantry were generously donated by over 100 individuals, churches, and community groups. Galilee’s incredible volunteers stayed for long hours and worked tirelessly to receive and organize donations, prepare bags, restock shelves, make home deliveries, and offer the ministry of presence with neighbors.
Virginia Anderson recently said, “In just the few months I’ve been volunteering at Lydia’s Pantry, I have been astounded by the generosity of those who support this mission. Just when it appears we will run out of an important staple like cereal, someone shows up at the door with just what we need to help more families. On the days I have been there, no one has been turned away empty handed. As I recently said to Emily, ‘Galilee doesn’t say no and doesn’t look away.’”
What we witnessed at Galilee in the last few months are clear examples of how abundance is all around even when the world feels bleak. The word abundance comes from the Latin word abundantia which means fullness, plenty, overflow. There was overflow at Galilee – literally the expansion of Lydia’s Pantry to a second room to accommodate donations. There was also overflow of willingness to join in, time devoted, kindness, and shared humanity.
Every donated item, every hour spent, every kind word mattered – and still matters. Thank you for helping us meet urgent needs with compassion. And through the generosity of part of the Christ Church Christmas Eve offering, we will continue to make sure that no one walks away hungry.
With gratitude,
Emily+