The blessing of giving

We all have our own windows to the world. Our perspectives and opinions vary regarding what we see.

Take, for example, witness reports at a fender bender. Five different witnesses can all see the same accident and yet report on it differently. This happened recently at an intersection near our office. Eyewitness reports varied as to what happened, how it happened, and how a car ended up perpendicular to the ground. Perspective and opinions generally vary, except when they don’t.

Last week, my window to the world – the east-facing window in my office – allowed me to witness one of the most interesting encounters to ever grace my field of vision. This includes the day when a fully dressed cowboy wearing a floor-length leather coat rode his bike to the pantry and walked up directly to my window to tell me how grateful he was for the food in the pantry. This day was different; I was blessed to just sit back and watch this story unfold.

The perspective is simple: it’s amazing to see the Feeding Team model work right in front of me.

A young woman pulled up in the driveway in an older black Saturn. As she got out of her car, no less than 15 feet outside my window, I could easily see her distressed demeanor. She did not make eye contact; she was head down and took 10 steps to get to the pantry. Not 30 seconds later, into the drive a late-model maroon SUV pulls in and parks next to the Saturn. A middle-aged lady exits the SUV carrying three plastic grocery bags full of items to donate to the pantry at our office.

The divine appointment that occurred was obviously not a coincidence.

Logically, this can’t be the first or only time when a neighbor was shopping at a Feeding Team pantry and a supporter arrived to donate to that same pantry at that same moment. However, it’s the first time I saw it happen right through my window to the world. Two complete strangers, one in need and one willing to help a neighbor.

As they stood there briefly chatting, I couldn’t do justice to the looks on the ladies’ faces. The recipient’s face was a blended combination of relief, gratitude, happiness, and thanksgiving. The donor’s smiling face reflected what can only be described as the blessing of giving. It’s that warm feeling of satisfaction that you get in your spirit when you do the right thing for someone else. Neither had any idea that I saw their interaction.

I didn’t see what the young lady took from the donor. But that’s not the point of the story.

A family’s need was met by a willing donor. Both people felt the blessing of giving in a very real way. This day it happened in real time and in my window to the world.

What’s the point? It’s rare to witness an actual donor and shopper meet; however, Feeding Team pantries are open all the time. Those in need stop by a pantry that has been stocked by a neighbor, volunteer, or host. When you donate you are the Blessing of Giving to a neighbor in need.

From the front lines of fighting hunger, life is changing in real time. We see increases in gap families looking to get through a tough time. The numbers are changing as the economy ebbs and flows. People who have never experienced food insecurity are searching for a solution. Many find Feeding Team through our social media and through word of mouth.

But many don’t know that these resources are available.

If you find your family in need, please contact us, find a pantry at FeedingTeam.org, and follow us on social media to learn about upcoming food distribution events. Please share our message with those who are in need, too. We rely on neighbors to help neighbors connect with those who are in need. Thank you.

About FeedingTeam.org
More than 44,000 people in Hamilton County struggle with food needs. FeedingTeam.org is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers outdoor, no-questions-asked food pantries that are open 24/7, all year long. These pantries help families who may not qualify for other programs but still need a few meals to get by.

We are so thankful for all the volunteers, hosts, donors, and sponsors who help us every day. We love serving our neighbors and seeing how your generosity changes lives. Hunger doesn’t always look the way people think it does, and every meal makes a big difference.

A simple can of food can mean everything to a parent who has nothing left to feed their kids. A few meals can change someone’s life.

If you’d like to help, there are many volunteer opportunities. We are also looking for new spots for future pantries. If you know a good location, please contact us.

Mark and Lisa Hall are the Founders of Feeding Team. They may be reached at lisa@feedingteam.org and mark@feedingteam.org or by calling (317) 832-1123.