October 23, 2023 newsletter

Good morning friends! When the world is so crazy and dark, like right now, I need more than ever to think about things that are uplifting, and I'll bet you do too. So for just a few minutes, please set aside the endless and depressing news cycle, and join me for a few good stories! When you think that no one cares and nothing is being done to help anyone, look harder. They won't usually be the loudest voice in the room.

I heard from our friend Janet P last week that the Police Union has decided to help our community for Thanksgiving by providing gift cards for turkeys and fresh foods for us to pass out. We have no space for turkeys on-site, so this was welcome news. At the same time, our friend Lin M has been gathering the funds to buy all of the pantry items that we need for the special Thanksgiving bags to go with these cards. What a blessing! We've just learned that the church where we are located, Living Water Fellowship, will simply not be able to do a Thanksgiving dinner this year as they have for the past 5, 6, 7? years. Stone Soup Kitchen will have a turkey dinner on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, Friday being our regular night, but it's not quite the same. We're really grateful to the folks who are making it possible for people to get the food for their own dinners, and we will try to make sure that those who are alone get hooked up with a family to spend the day, if it's possible.

We also heard a story last week about someone whose life was touched in a big way by one of our volunteers. A gentleman had been out of work, depressed, and not able to get himself to do much about it until one of our volunteers brought him food. He was too ashamed to come for himself, but she didn't let that stop her from reaching out in kindness. That very next week, he picked himself up and landed a new job! It would be nice if a kind gesture and some good food could solve all the problems of the world, but we just have to be content with knowing that at least one person in our own sphere has been helped. It makes it all worth it.

We will be having a visit with our wonderful NABOH nurse, Maureen S this Friday. Nurse Maureen will come and talk with people individually who need some advice, and she will also have seasonal flu shots available for those who want them. We're also looking forward to being able to schedule a workshop in the future, covering some basic first aid information. Stay tuned!

If you can shop for us this week, we still need more warm socks for women, low-sodium soups, in either the condensed or the “progresso” size, low sugar baked beans, and anything else from our newly tweaked healthier list would also be gladly accepted, and thank you. We'll be at the pantry on Wednesday from 10 to noon, Friday from 4 to 5:30, and Saturday from 9 to noon for drop-offs. And the bin is always available at Shop n' Save if those times don't suit. Please leave a note in the bag with your name so we know whom to thank!

If you can't find the complete list that I sent, please just reach out and I'll send it to you again! Thank you all so much, and I hope you all have a wonderful week 💕