One of the things I love the most about Good Shepherd is our huge heart to feed those who are hungry. We cannot abide the thought of a child starving. We give our time, our finances, and our gifts to do whatever we can whenever we can to create a world where all are fed.
As we watch the instability in our federal government, our hearts weigh heavy with the uncertainty of federal assistance programs for the most vulnerable in our society. The recent tug of war over SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program) and whether the funds will be released or withheld breaks our hearts. Over 40 million Americans depend on this support for their daily bread. This life-saving resource supports children, seniors, veterans, those who are disabled, and single parents struggling to get by.
As Christians, we can have different opinions about what role a government should play and caring for the poor. Yet as followers of Jesus we have unity and clarity of our call. Jesus calls us to love our neighbor by caring for the poor. Throughout the Bible God calls us to care for five vulnerable groups: widows, orphans, aliens, the sick, and the poor.
- Jesus said to Peter in their final exchange in John's gospel, “feed my sheep.”
- When the multitudes were hungry on the hillside Jesus multiplied bread and fish and fed over 5,000 people.
- In Galatians, as the early Church wrestled with the role of law in our new freedom in Christ, Paul writes, “they asked only one thing, that we remember the poor.”
In this moment national crisis, the Church has a tremendous opportunity. Now is our time to be the hands and feet of Jesus like never before. In this moment of great need, we have the chance to respond with great love. Jesus is inviting us to step into the gap and do all we can to build a world where no child goes hungry.
Many of you are wondering, “what can I do?” Our Service and LifeWise teams have collated a list of ways to help and maximize our impact. Here are some clear, tangible ways that Good Shepherd can make a huge impact in our community.
Thank you for your generosity and for sharing the love of God with our neighbors.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Josh
- Give monetary gift to Food Bank – Operation Food Search
Foodbanks like Operation Food Search have buying power that will stretch a dollar much further than individuals. Supporting OFS will allow them to purchase food and distribute to food pantries all over the STL region.
- Give monetary gift to local ministry partner – Circle of Concern or LifeWise STL
Circle of Concern is located in Valley Park and service our local community. LifeWise STL is our strategic service partner in St. Louis. Both do fantastic work, striving to meet the need right now.
- Bring Food Items to Good Shepherd
Donate food items by bringing them to the food bin at Good Shepherd (Narthex). Our service teams will make sure it gets delivered to food pantries.
Thousands of families across the bi-state region have been impacted by the government shutdown. Missed paychecks and lost SNAP benefits mean many children, seniors, and hardworking families will go hungry without help from our community.
Other Ways You Can Help
- You may drop food in our food bin outside the Good Shepherd office and we will make sure that it is delivered to Circle of Concern and JB Patriots Food Pantry, two of the pantries we support.
- Also, please donate to the upcoming Thanksgiving Basket collection and $25 donations for turkeys. (Give online or via check)
- The Parkway School District has a food pantry. They will have a food distribution on November 18 and expect Covid-level numbers for the distribution, about 400 families.
You can make a donation to Parkway’s Food Pantry, a 501(c)3, by mailing or dropping off a check payable to Parkway Food Pantry at:
Northeast Middle School
Attn: Parkway Food Pantry
181 Coeur de Ville Drive
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
*or through their PayPal link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=BS6LVH4YNSYKQ
*or their Venmo account – look for @parkwaypantrypartners
You may also conduct a food drive or help in other ways. Please reach out to their booster organization, the Parkway Pantry Partners, at parkwaypantrypartners@gmail.com
Ways To Help from the St. Louis Area Foodbank
St. Louis Area Foodbank is providing an easy opportunity for people to get involved through a donation link and an Amazon wish list. The Foodbank has buying power and can stretch a dollar much farther than any of us personally.
$25 feeds a family of four for a week.
You can make a difference today! If you are able, please donate to support their efforts to provide food for those affected.
Donate to their Virtual Food Drive: https://www.justgiving.com/page/stlouisareafoodbank
Shop their Amazon Wishlist to have your gift sent directly to the Foodbank: https://a.co/abYqC0N
Know someone in need? Send people to https://stlfoodbank.org/find-food/ to find food assistance in a specific area.
We will keep you updated with more opportunities and resources as we become aware of them.
In Christ,
The Good Shepherd Service Team
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