NOT FOUND: season to give.jpgThe annual “Trick or Treat for Hunger” food drive was a tremendous success this year, and gave students and staff from 42 schools in the Twin Rivers school district the opportunity to give. And give they did! More than 20,000 canned and other non-perishable food items were collected October 5-23. That’s twice what was collected in 2008! The drive was held to help stock the shelves of local food pantries, including our very own North Highlands Christian Food Ministry.

Over 9,000 food items were donated directly to the North Highlands Christian Food Ministry. That is all of the food that was brought in by the North Highlands and Foothill Farms schools. Dave and Emma Crandall – along with their team of faithful volunteers – run the food ministry, and have been doing so for the past 11 years. Dave said about five truck loads of food from the food drive were delivered to their organization located at First Baptist Church on Watt Avenue.

The North Highlands Christian Food Ministry was originally started by First Baptist Church in 1979, and Dave and Emma were among the volunteers in the late 80s. When the church wasn’t able to fully support the ministry any longer, Dave and Emma were very happy to take over the efforts. They work directly with the 50 volunteers they have from all over the county to facilitate the food ministry three days a week, except major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. The ministry is non-denominational, and the volunteers represent several area churches such as St. Claire, St. Lawrence, First Baptist, St. Stephen, Zion Lutheran, St. Andrew’ as well as many other groups.

The oldest volunteer in the organization is Atlas who is 94 years old and still willing and able to donate his time. The youngest volunteer is Shelby who is currently attending college, but makes time to give of herself to help others.

Would be recipients of the supplies need to live in the North Highlands area in order to qualify for help from this food ministry. Food is not all that is provided, however. For the homeless, blankets, socks, hats, gloves and toiletry items are also available. The homeless are allowed to visit the facility once a week to receive supplies. Others that are in need of food items are welcome once a month to receive a three day supply each time. Recipients are registered by computer and their visits kept track of by the ministry volunteers.

Monetary donations given to the North Highlands Christian Food ministry are used to purchase food from other organizations such as the Food Bank of Northern CA (FoodLink) for about 15 cents/pound. FoodLink donates produce at no charge. Food is also collected on a weekly basis from Senior Gleaners. All other items that are supplied such as toiletries, blankets, socks, hats, etc. are donated directly to the ministry by various groups and individuals.

There are groups of women that make blankets and “prayer shawls” which are hand-knitted shawls that the women make together while praying for the individual that will eventually use the items. These shawls are tagged with a special note so the recipient knows that they are being prayed for – to let them know there is hope for them.

Thank you to each and every volunteer at the North Highlands Christian Food Ministry, as well as each and every staff member and student in the Twin Rivers school district for making a difference.

During this season of giving and receiving, we can certainly learn a lesson from them as well as all of the others that donate time, money and gifts to local shelters. We can focus more on giving of ourselves and our resources, and receive the satisfaction of knowing that we are providing a little bit of hope to someone who might otherwise have none.

For God so loved the world that He GAVE …