On Tuesday, April 7 we will start the third full season of the Food Program. Our first year was full of experiments and learning. The second year we made the system smooth and efficient. This year we hope to be even more engaged with the participants as we serve them.

Most of the challenges in doing a ministry like the Food Program are people issues. Us messy people meet with the messy people coming for food and we have to figure it out. I intentionally mention us first. Real help starts when we understand that we are sisters and brothers with the people we serve. We are not without our challenges and difficulties; ours are just different. With this in mind, it is our desire to build relationships of understanding and respect with our friends in St Catharines.

We continue to remind ourselves that relationship is the real goal. The first year we implemented a handwashing station as a way to encourage hygiene and offer caring help. Last year we did a lot more praying with participants as we got to know them and their specific story. One specific way we will make connections this year is by seeking to have people use re-usable shopping bags. Many people come with them in hand. We need to remember to ask them to use them. We also have a large supply from Trick-or-Canning that we can hand out. This is one more way to both have a conversation and to encourage their ownership of the way the Food Program works.

If you want to be part of this opportunity, please let me or Henny Draaistra or Alice Posthumus know. We will find a way to fit you in whether that be shopping, cooking, or delivering and serving.

Another way you may consider helping is by donating. We have accessed grants that have allowed us to purchase equipment and we are in conversation with the region about potential funding. However, as Mountainview CRC, one of the ways we collectively own this is by making sure it is supported financially. Last year we spent $23,000 on food and other consumables. This is a lot of money, but when you have someone do the math (as I did), it works out to less than $4 per meal served. We have an efficient system; there is just a large need.

Your contribution can be made on the Bridge App under donations by selecting “Benevolence - Food Program - St Catharines” as the fund or writing the same on a check or envelope with any other method of giving.

We look forward to another year of helping and connecting, with food and conversation and prayer, seeking to be a blessing even as we are blessed by our time with our friends in St Catharines.

Pastor Erick Schuringa

What's Going On? Food Program Year 3