Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - July/92

Contributor - John Krul

Title - Food Bank at Drayton Reformed

Topic - Ministries

In Matthew 25:35, Jesus says "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in." Then in verse 37 the righteous answered him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or thirsty and give you something to drink?" Jesus answered them in verse 50 by saying "I tell you the truth. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

In Isaiah 58: 10 we read "And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like noon day."

Several years ago the Drayton Reformed Church decided to put into practice what these passages are conveying to us as Christians. We acquired a freezer and filled it with meat, frozen vegetables, etc., and it hasn't been empty since the food bank's inception. Being as we are primarily a rural church, meat is not too difficult to acquire. Someone might be slaughtering a cow or pig and find that they over estimated the amount of empty space in their freezer. They'll call and ask if they can donate the excess to the food bank. Occasionally, emergency slaughtering can be another source of meat for our freezer.

Most families in a rural community have large gardens and when canning time rolls around the food bank usually receives some of the surplus or some extras from the previous year's abundance.

At the outset the food bank had mainly meat which made it very unique at that time because most food banks do not have meat. The same is still true at the present time, except now we also have a supply of non-perishable food items along with a bank account to purchase items not on the shelves or in the freezer.

Deliveries are often made by Children and Family Services and the local Health Unit who have access to the food bank. Periodically we get calls directly from families or we get referrals from Children and Family Services, local doctors, teachers, etc.

Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter are special times for most families, but for some local households having a turkey for dinner is only a dream. Our food bank delivers hampers at each of these special holidays, containing a turkey and several other food items.

Another exciting development which occurred about 1 1/2 years ago is that all the local churches are now involved in the food bank. Each church has a representative to the food bank. We meet with these individuals a few times throughout the year to plan food drives and special hamper deliveries. The support from the community is overwhelming. It is indeed gratifying to see that people really do care about those less fortunate than themselves.

The families on the receiving end are usually very thankful that we can help them when they get into difficult times financially. There are many needs around us, but we have to open our eyes to see them and then do what we can to be of assistance. We feel with the food bank some families in our community are experiencing a small ray of light in their lives.

I tell you the truth. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

The purpose, God will adorn with beauty for "all to see". Outsiders will feel attracted and will praise God... and many will be added to that Church. If we fail, the reverse is true. Scripture tells us that we will lose our influence and be trodden under foot by man. (Matt. 5:13)

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