Baby eating baby food (blended green beans) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Our Second Saturday Servants group from West Allis First UMC is working at Northcott Neighborhood House the next three months. In fact, we were there this past Saturday. A small crew will also be making sandwiches each month for delivery to homeless folks outside.

Northcott Neighborhood House offers a variety of programs to enrich our community.

This past week, our crew was organizing food in the food pantry.  There was a recent donation of huge quantities of green beans to food pantries in the Milwaukee Area.  Although I typically eat canned green beans often, I am tired of green beans this week!

The Northcott Neighborhood House emergency food pantry serves about 1,200 community residents annually. In addition, they distribute food to 1,000 older adults and recent Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program graduates. Bread, muffins and bakery goods are available daily, as well as a clothing exchange to meet family apparel needs.

We were heartily greeted as soon as we arrived at Northcott on Saturday.  A couple young men offered to carry things in as I was parking the car.  I was impressed by how genuine the greeting was.  There were additional groups touring the center on Saturday, and that was exciting to me.   There is much work to do, and it is wonderful to see new volunteers joining.  Also, I have learned over these past few years that we are greatly blessed as we serve alongside the community.  It pleases me each time I see new participants who are blessed along the path with us.

In the tight confines of the Food Pantry, I enjoyed working with out crew.  I mentioned Saturday how delighted I was to share in the humor of Val and Karen.  I loved the sincere enthusiasm of old friend Gary.

I look forward to new volunteers joining us on April 13.  I am hoping to see two new volunteers in our group each month.  I think it will be a good sign of our discipleship.  We invite people from all over the community to join us each Second Saturday at 9:00 am.  There is no need to be a member of West Allis First UMC.  We just look for your sincere ministry to those who need us and love our presence.

Related articles

• In the Neighborhood (tbolto.wordpress.com)
• We Care, We Share food pantry survives in hard times (chronicle.northcoastnow.com)
• LETTER: Please continue to give to food pantries (courierpress.com)