Feeding the Poor

 I am a Christian, but I am absolutely FOR freedom of religion in whatever form it takes.  This is a highly individual choice and we are all moved in ways that others might not understand.

I attend an ELCA Lutheran church (that is Reconciling in Christ) and I buy extra food almost every week for a small foodbank/soup kitchen that is supported through “my” church.  The foodbank is run out of a Four Square church basement that is located in an area called Hill Top in Tacoma.  If you know your Christian religions, Lutheran and Four Square couldn’t be more different.  To me, the mission of feeding the poor and homeless is the most important part.  

The food I buy is not organic.  It is not the most healthy either.  Homeless people don’t have kitchens or pots or pans, but they can get hot water.  Cup-of-noodles, ready to eat soup, instant oatmeal, tuna, beanie weenies and other “heat and eat” foods work well.  For families, I send large cans of baked beans, boxed cereal, pasta and pasta sauces (with meat), canned vegetables and boxed dinners like macaroni and cheese.   Some of the families who use this foodbank have kids making food for themselves or parents with very little time to fuss over a multi-course meal.  The parents have to work multiple jobs or they have addictions or just can’t face what life has become and don’t have the energy.  It doesn’t matter – the kids need to eat and so sending easy to prepare foods is important. 

Supporting families “in need” is a passion for me and I share this passion with several other families who also happen to attend the same church as me.  Another family started a community garden in the backyard of our church.  It is a true community garden where anyone can rent a space in the garden for $25/year and they don’t ever have to step foot in our chuch – unless they need to use the bathroom.  If the renter is willing, any extra fruits or vegetables can be harvested for the little food bank in the Four Square Church basement.  

What if “we” didn’t support this foodbank because “we” object to the conservative nature of the church serving the food?  Trust me, they are much more conservative than the church I attend. 

Do all causes, no matter how worthy, need to be rejected while we wait around for something perfect?