Beyond the Ballet Box

Everyone these days is talking about the importance of this year's election and voting....which i would have to agree with. Voting is an important right and living in a Democractic Society offers us the freedom to choose our leaders. But i think that we must stress that if all we do is vote then we have not really been a part of the process. It is important to keep our policital leaders and those we vote for accountable to their campaign promises, stump speeches, and to expect them to uphold equality, justice, and human rights both in this country and around the world.

Who we vote for doesn't necessarily mean that we will get what we were promised. Just look at history. Politics is a high stakes game of power, greed, and competition and has in many ways polluted the authenticity of the goverment. But the voice of the people, when loud enough is the most powerful instrument in the political arena. I'm not much for the political game. In fact, i actually hate it. But i am for people and believe that government plays a critical role in social responsibility, human rights, equality, and life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

• A democratic society is not the result of good goverment but of great people.....and great people produce great government. Our hope should not be in a political leader or institution. The strength of any nation comes from the will of the people to participate; not in political ideology but in insuring that justice, equality, and freedom are the basic rights of all people so that no matter what the issue or which party is in power, the voice of the people remains the focus and the authority of it's government. In this political season it is essential that we remind our candidates that the people are at the heart of the issue and that whoever wins the race must remember this during their term(s) of service. But the only way that this will happen is if the voice of the people moves beyond the ballet box.

• The future of our nation is not in the hands of Obama or McCain, but in it's citizens ability to keep our politicians in check and force them to remember why they are there. Our nation was built on the backs of those who sacrificed everything to give 'the people' equality, freedom, life, and the pursuit of happiness. It is a rediculous notion to think that we can neglect our duty as citizens of this country and expect good things to happen. Perhaps that is what is meant when Christ said that we are the light of the world.

Peace!

Without a Home

Tonight I was about to get off work and head over to watch my daughter practice ballet. About 4:50pm i got a call from a lady who had just met a family whose house burned to the ground this past weekend. It was a family of eight in need of food. Just after i got off the phone with her Red Cross sent over a family of six who had the same thing happen to them over the weekend as well; and i was trying my hardest to finish the bank deposit for the day. I was getting sort of in a hurry and impatient cause i really wanted to go see me daughter's ballet practice.

But when the second family came in and i saw all those children walk down the hallway, it hit me on how critical and necessary the work i was doing at that moment was; even if it meant having to miss something that was extremely important to me. These two families were without a home, lost everything they owned, and didn't know where their next meal would come from. Their lives had been turned upside down, they were scared, and living in the reality of the unknown.

Suffering and poverty comes in many forms and sometimes without warning. Being part of the solution will at times test our resolve and challenge our commitment and sincerity. Tonight, these two families may have a place to lay their heads, but they remain without a home. As i struggle to do the right thing, these two families remind me that service is not a matter of convenience but a privilege of sacrifice in a world filled with busyness and distractions. May these encounters expose any hypocrisy and push me closer towards genuineness and authenticity; whatever that may be.

A Discussion on Hunger and Poverty

Poverty is not issues, statistics, rhetoric, and agendas. It's not a movement, a cause, or slogans. Poverty is people. And people are what hang in the balance between action and indifference. It is not easy to define poverty because poverty has many faces and attacks in even many more ways. And people often times get lost in the busyness of working to fix the crisis of human suffering.

The idea of equality and justice forces us to look seriously at the problems of the world and work toward real solutions that benefit the people and somehow put and end to unnecessary suffering. And while policy is an important step it is never enough to meet the needs that we have inheritated as a human race. As one politician has said, "It takes a village." So together with the help of government, non-profits, community action groups, religious institutions, NGO's, and individuals we can win the war on hunger and poverty.

But we must remember that it is a war.....a war on greed, racism, corruption, and indifference. But the weapons against these are love and compassion. A love that is willing to serve the unwanted and marginalized. A love removed from self-centeredness and blind ambition capable of believing what others say is impossible.

Women like Mother Teresa taught us that the fight is not an easy one and it takes great courage, sacrifice, and discipline. We will not win the war through might, power, or money. It is when we learn to give ourselves away that we become more powerful than the ugliness that is destroying the lives of millions upon millions of people who are our brothers and sisters. I met a lady just over two years ago who gave up her life savings to serve those who have contracted HIV/AIDS. She has given everything she has so that others may have a shot at life. The solutions to poverty and human suffering will never be easy, but it is in the struggle of the journey that we find hope, strength, and the ability to overcome even in the most impossible challenges facing humanity. The human spirit is our greatest asset, but we must learn how to use it and to effectively engage the world in overcoming itself. Peace!

Giving Back

Today i hung out with some really good friends of mine: Pastor Willie and Jamie Bone at thier church in Valdosta. I was there to present them with a Humanitarian Service Award for their work in the fight against hunger in South Georgia. Late last year Jamie contacted me and we got together to discuss ways that we could partner together in getting food to the most needy families in the area. Their church committed to doing at least one manna drop a month to the Hudson Dockett and Ora Lee West Housing Projects.

It has been unbelievable to watch this community of people as they have given thier resources, time, and hard work each month to give to families that most of them have never met before. And the relationships that we have made with many of the families is life-changing. Just a few weeks ago we met a mother of three who has a son with an enlarged heart. She invited us into her home and we chatted, prayed, and just got to know each other. Another man living in the housing projects asked if he could help us give out the food. Just before we left we got a call of two families who were having a hard time getting food just before the beginning of the school year. After we finally found the homes, we were able to give food to each family; who were sitting on the porch waiting for us to show up.

It was really cool to meet many of the people who go to that church who care deeply about hunger and poverty. Each month they have a huge volunteer base that comes with them to give out food, to make runs to homes where many are unable to walk or carry the bags, and to actually cook on site to give away food immediately to those who are standing in line.

Christ said "when we do it unto the least of these, you do it unto me." I have thought about that statement so many times in my mind and struggle to make it a reality in my daily life. How we treat the poor is not political idealogy or just a social issue. It has everything to do with our spiritual journey and what that means to us as a part of the human family both on a local and global scale. My life has been radically changed by the people that we serve and also by meeting those who serve and work so hard to make sure that those in need are taken care of.

Volunteer Opportunities!

Last year we logged around 9,000 volunteer hours who helped us distribute almost six million pounds of food in the ten counties that we serve in South Georgia. We have several opportunities for individuals, families, and groups get involvemed with in the fight against hunger. If you live in South Georgia or if you ever make it this way, give us a call and we'd love to meet up with you and work together in fighting hunger and poverty!!

Migrant Workers Outreach: In partnership with the Migrant Health Clinic in Lake Park, GA, we take a team of people to distribute food to needy migrant workers. We do this most every Thursday evenings. It is shocking to see the conditions and the level of hunger and need in this area. If you are interested in helping, give us a call or post a comment and we will get back with you right away.

Diaper Drive: Groups can put together a drive to collect diapers and we will distribute them to needy families in the area. You would be suprised how much money we can save a family or single mom trying to 'make it.' Daipers are so expensive and it cuts deep into a family's budget making it extremely difficult for families to pay rent, medical bills, and put food on the table. This is an amazing opportunity to be a part of the fight against hunger and poverty.

Manna Drop: This is a joint effort between organizations and the food bank as we go into communities where there is a high risk poverty level. We take pallets of food to these areas, usually on a Saturday and distribute distribute food to those in need. The whole vibe of a Manna Drop is centered on compassion and love for others. The old saying, "it is better to give than to receive," seems to be expressed literally at a Drop. Plus you get a chance to make friends and build bridges of hope in some pretty hopeless places. Just click on the Manna Drop Schedule to see where we're at next.

Warehouse Salvage Center: The Product Salvage Center helps direct quality donations to over 350 non-profit organizations in South Georgia. Volunteers make this possible by sorting, inspecting, and packaging items for these groups. The Salvage Center is a fun, hands-on project for individuals, families, schools, clubs, and other groups. The Center is open Monday - Thursday from 8:30am and 3:00pm and on Friday from 8:30am until 12:00pm

Ashley House Project: Click on the Ashley House Project for more info.

Office Assistance: Office Volunteers keep the Food Bank up and running by helping with data entry, filing, mailings, copying and a host of other administrative tasks. Use your skills and talents to fight hunger and support our staff. Our office hours are Monday thru Thursday 8:00am until 5:00pm and Friday 8:00am until 3:00pm.

Operation Hope: Operation Hope is an outreach designed to expose student groups and youth groups to the ongoing struggles of hunger and poverty in the South Georgia area. America's Second Harvest of South Georgia, Inc. designs local mission opportunities that are tailored to each groups needs and passion. We create an entire program which allows students and their leaders to be worry free about the events. We take care of everthing for each group. If you are a Youth Pastor or Student Leader please leave me a comment or give me a call @ 229-244-2678.

ASHLEY HOUSE PROJECT

Several times a month we take care packages to the Ashley House; a program designed to assist the elderly and disabled. We have partnered with them to help provide some food assistance to those who live there. If i remeber right, i think that they currently have between 50 and 60 residents. It is a lot of fun to get a few people together and head out to the Ashley House and distribute food. The residents are some of the most gracious and beautiful people that you will ever meet. Many of them can get very lonely and isolated. Just being there puts a smile on their faces.....and i promise that it is one of those life-changing things.

If you are ever in the South Georgia area and would like to hang out with us, please just let me know and we'll hook you up. Put some food in your hands and a lot of compassion in your hearts and give away some food to those who have so little.

Peace!

Manna Drop Schedule

Host: The Vision
Date: Saturday, February 28, 2009
Time: 10am to noon
Location: Migrant clinic, Lake Park, GA

Host: Ray City Church of God Manna Drop
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2009
Time: 10am to 12:30pm
Location: Ray City, GA.

Host: Park Avenue United Methodist Church
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2009
Time: 5pm
Migrant Outreach
Location: Lake Park, GA

Host: First Baptist Church Willacoochee, GA
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2009
Time: 10am to 12pm
Location: City Park of Willacoochee, GA

Host: Park Avenue United Methodist Church
Date: March 28, 2009
Time: 10am to 12pm
Location: Ora Lee, Valdosta, GA

Host: The Dwelling Place
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Time: 11 am to 2pm
Location: Mary Street Park, Waycross, GA

Host: Park Avenue United Methodist Church
Date: Saturday, April 4, 2009
Time: 10am to Noon
Location Hudson Dockett, Valdosta, GA

Host: Say Yes Day Care
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2009
Time: 10am to Noon
Location: Greer Park, Valdosta, GA

Host: Francis Lake AME Church & Popler Springs Baptist Church
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2009
Time: 10am to Noon
Location: Popler Springs Baptist Church, Jasper FL. (Parking Lot)

Host: Park Avenue United Methodist Church
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2009
Time: 10am to Noon
Location: Ora Lee, Valdosta, GA

Host: Park Avenue United Methodist Church
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2009
Time: 10am to Noon
Location: Hudson Dockett, Valdosta, GA

Host: Park Avenue United Methodist Church
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009
Time: 10am to Noon
Location: Ora Lee West, Valdosta, GA