Loading...An ecumenical group, including members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Renovo, work together to distribute food to the needy in their area.
At the Renovo Food Bank hosted at Trinity Episcopal Church, the steps of the Parish House were filled at 8:15 AM on December 16 despite the very cold weather (about 15 degrees), -- even though the Food Bank was not scheduled to open until 9:30. Dee Calhoun, priest at Trinity Episcopal Church and pastor at Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church In Renovo, opened the doors at 8:30 AM. “I couldn’t let people wait in the cold,” Dee said. The Renovo Food Bank serves many households every month through the cooperation of several local churches and state agencies. In about three hours this morning, we distributed food for 294 people from 115 households.
For today’s distribution we had an ecumenical team of a dozen people: four clergy from three denominations and 10 people from the community, not just Episcopalians and Lutherans but Catholics, Methodists and people from the Assembly of God. The Food Bank in Renovo works because it is supported by so many different people and organizations. It works only through ecumenical and community support. The Salvation Army donated a truckload of turkeys – and every household got one. We distributed food from the federal government. We distributed food donated by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (their motto is “No one Should Be Hungry”). We distributed food gathered by children and youth in the local schools. We distributed food donated by local merchants, including the Dollar Store. We distributed 140 pounds of laundry detergent provided by Kathryn’s Closet, a Lutheran charity, that was picked up earlier in the week. There are local teams of people who gather the food, store it, package it, and distribute it. For all of these gifts, we are grateful.
Today was a good day for the church in Renovo. We heard the words of our Lord, “If you love me, feed my sheep.” Renovo has not solved the problem of chronic poverty, but the Church has been abundantly present today in the Parish House of Trinity Episcopal Church.
