This Morning I Helped Out at Community Through Hope

They’ve halted all their regular programs and have focussed all their efforts to be a food distribution point in our city.

Folks lined up in the early hours. By the time I showed up at 6:20, the line of cars wrapped around the block. About fifteen or so volunteers, many of them regulars, came in early to set up the distribution line. Fruits, veggies, canned goods, pasta, and even precious bacon were set out ready and made ready to give away. A number of volunteers were designated as ‘runners’. They’d greet the vehicle, and put the goods in the back seat or trunk. Once the line got started, even Chula Vista Police Officers got involved in the distribution.

This was fun for me. I was out of the house. I got to interact with people. But most of all, I finally felt like I was doing something useful again. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been relatively productive these last six weeks. But it was so good to do something for folks in need.

My something was to move 50 pound boxes of frozen chicken from the freezer to the table. I didn’t think to count when I started, but I’m pretty sure we distributed nearly 2,000 pounds of chicken in two hours. I got to work with new friends Melissa and Ron both of whom attend Eastlake Church.

I also got to meet Bella. Her mom founded Community Through Hope around seven years ago. Last year they moved into a facility in our old neighborhood. Bella had been living and working in San Francisco, but when the crisis hit, she just had to come home and help out.

I’m reminded of the time when the disciples came to Jesus with a problem. He had been teaching a big crowd, but it was getting late. Matthew records it in chapter 14:

When it was almost evening, the disciples came to him. “There is nothing here,” they said. “It’s already getting late. Send the crowds away. They can go and buy some food in the villages.”

Jesus replied, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

I love that Jesus said, “You do it”. Of course, it would take a miracle, but he still wanted us to do it. I feel like I was a part of something like that today. It’s a miracle that Community Through Hope had so much food to give. And it’s a miracle that together, we fed so many people today.