Feeding the Hungry
in the Dimond & Laurel
PASS IT ON

Today was another one of our twice monthly regular food distribution to the hungry at our church in Oakland. Several new folks came to help us in our work together. I was struck today by the power of community. When we gather we can not only do amazing things, but be challenged by each other to rise to higher levels of humanity, to conform to the likeness of Christ in a deeper way. Before we distributed food we introduced ourselves to each other, offered a prayer and shared why we came to help. I am humbled by the grace, fortitude, generosity and great faith of those that were in that sacred circle of prayer and discipleship. All we do is "pass on" the food that we receive from the Food Bank, who had it passed on to them. What would life be like if we were more aware on a daily basis in our work, words, and even our worst moments...that much of life is about passing it on - whether it's a spark to get a fire going, a violent word of anger when we're angry, or an undeserved gift of grace that transforms us.

Much thanks to the Alameda County Food Bank for their continued vision and solidarity and to La Farine - our neighborhood bakery who donated their unsold baked goods from yesterday to feed the hungry!