The Writing on the Wall: Common Heart for New Year

When one of the families I work with who chose life instead of abortion began to trust me, and reveal details of their life, I discovered they were running out of food midway through the month. Though they did receive food stamps, it never stretched as far as needed since the family was regularly feeding relatives or sometimes neighbors in even worse circumstances than themselves. Sometimes, the pregnant young woman we were helping was nauseous because she had nothing to eat all day. She bled from her mouth due to lack of vitamin C in her diet. The family was generous to a fault, taking in people who had no place else to go...and sharing their precious food with them. Food pantries were of little help since the family had no car, and no way to get any sizable amount of food home. One day, when I was there around lunch time, there were five children, and none of them had anything to eat for lunch. There was no food in the house. The two year old found a half unwrapped piece of taffy on the ground, and that was her lunch. When I saw that, I ran out and bought groceries for them that day, but knew I did not have the resources to feed this large family.

I learned about an organization in Indian Trail, called Common Cupboard. They provide food to people in dire straits with demonstrated need. Volunteers collect the food, and once a month drive the food to the clients, free of charge. The catch was this was a program for Indian Trail and surrounding areas. Most of the women and families we assist through Cities4Life are in Charlotte, a full county away from Indian Trail.

So I called the director of the program, Keith Adams. I explained the terrible situation of this dear family and asked if there was anything his organization could do. I knew it was a long shot, but I couldn't erase thoughts of those children with no lunch.

"Of course," he said immediately, "As long as you can provide a volunteer to drive the food to them."
"I'll volunteer," I said, remembering the child eating an old dirty piece of taffy for lunch. Keith requested that when I spoke with the family about where the food came from, to make it clear this was the donation from people who loved Jesus, and longed to show His love.

For several months, once a month I have brought food to this family. I have come to know all the members, and have many opportunities to speak of the love of God. A couple of weeks ago, an adult child of the family, living on her own and working full time called me. I had been working with her for awhile, sharing the Gospel ( she prayed to accept Jesus with me!) and bringing her supplies for her baby due in January. She works full time, and is trying to make a better life for her daughter and herself, but she was struggling. She was below poverty level, making barely enough to survive. And she was running out of food. She called me when she had nothing left to feed her two-year-old. She asked if I knew of any way to get help with food.

I called Keith Adams with her information, salary, and situation. I asked if she would qualify for his program.
"Of course," he said, "As long as there is a driver volunteer."
"Not a problem, she lives near the other family I deliver food to. I can do that."
Keith arranged an emergency pick-up immediately, since the family was out of food.

The next day, the first family contacted me. The aunt in that family lived nearby, had five kids, worked part time, and never was able to make ends meet. Her husband had divorced her, and she was left with the children, and little skill or resources to provide for them. One had autism, a condition with its own unique set of stresses. She asked if there was any way they could be added to my food drops. I collected their financial information and sent it to Keith Adams.
"I know your ministry is not inexhaustible," I said, "But here is another family. Would they be able to have a food drop as well? I can be the driver."
"Of course," said Keith Adams.

So yesterday, I headed out in the morning to pick up the food and deliver to the families who had run out. When I arrived at the Common Cupboard headquarters, volunteers filled my van with food, and then asked if I would want a whole storage unit worth of baby supplies... free... for the mamas I work with who choose life for their babies rather than abortion.

Keith led me in his car to their thrift store where the baby supplies were stored. He introduced me to the manager. As I explained to her what the Cities4life organization does, a woman approached me.
"Excuse me for eavesdropping, but can you all use volunteers?" she asked. Keith took her information since she lives near the Common Cupboard facilities. He would place her where she would be best utilized.
"If you could drive food to the Charlotte mamas who choose life and are in financial difficulties," I told her, "I bet it might tip the scale in helping them choose life."

Then, the manager loaded my van to the gills with baby supplies. One of the families I was delivering to had texted me not only with grave worries about food, but asking if we had any sources for baby supplies. She is due January 19, and has nothing except the few things I have brought her. When I arrived with this unexpected bounty, her boyfriend unloaded my van into her small apartment. I had been a little nervous about meeting a man I didn't know in this very poor neighborhood...but he was so grateful. I realized I had nothing to fear. The woman was still at work. What a joyous surprise she would have when she walked in the door to see her apartment overflowing with all the things she needs!

As I pulled up to the home of my second stop, 5 or 6 kids were playing in the yard. More came streaming out of the house.
"Miss Vicky!!!!" they called. They came running over. They all know me now, as I have been involved with various members of this family for almost a year. I still can't keep all their unusual names straight. They roll their eyes every time I mangle their names.
"Any strong kids able to carry in heavy food?" I asked.
All the children raised their hands, and lined up by my van. I handed off bag after bag. The oldest one, maybe ten-years-old, waited and then said, "Give me the heaviest one, Miss Vicky."
When the van was emptied, one of the little girls tugged on my sleeve.
"Why do you do this?" she asked.
I knelt in front of her.
"That is a very good question. Do you know Jesus?"
She nodded.
"Well so do I. I do this because Jesus tells us to help each other, and I love Jesus."
"Oh," she said smiling.

********
IN the brief segment below, Keith Adams, founder of Common Cupboard Ministries, writes about this incredible community outreach that was started by four eager people who love Jesus, and wanted to help a few families. Information on how to donate or volunteer is included:

Common Heart is a grassroots 501 (c) (3) organization that fosters volunteer community action to address specific issues of hunger and poverty focusing on Union County, NC and surrounding areas. We are a band of friends, followers of Jesus, who share God's heart of love for our community, and its people.

Common Heart began in 2006 when four friends embarked on a journey to create ways to bridge the gap for families in need. The desire that motivated them was to be personally active in addressing practical needs as a way to demonstrate God's love. What started as four friends delivering groceries to a few hungry neighbors has become a local grassroots movement of several hundred volunteers. We deliver groceries, visit families, develop friendships,and address very practical needs in a very personal, relational, neighborly way.

Eight years later Common Heart operates three focused outreaches. Common

Cupboard, the food pantry, has grown to two sites serving nearly 23,000 people in

2014. Common Things Thrift Store grew out of Common Heart’s “nearly-free”

warehouse and provides a way for volunteers to develop job skills, experience and demonstrate God's love while providing quality used goods at below retail prices. And, CONNECTS

is our resource network and operates are Free Income Tax Service. The Commonplace Community Resource Center houses the programs of the Cupboard and CONNECTS.

In takes $20 - $25 to feed a family through Common Cupboard. We are always looking for people to serve from this common heart we share, through delivering groceries and developing encouraging relationships. Partners in giving are also needed to provide the funds and food to provide for the 550 families we serve each month. We are also looking for volunteers to serve in a variety of ways including our free tax service. Training is coming up January 12. Currently we are raising funds to help expand the number of deliveries and to purchase a replacement truck to carry the 10 - 14 tons of food we pick up each month.For more information or to give online please see our website www.TheCommonplace.org.

**************