By Hilary Files, WHPC Mission Committee Member
Many in our congregation are familiar with "Blue Bag Sundays," where once a month we shop at the grocery store for a list of requested items and return them to the church in cobalt blue bags. I loved participating in this simple ministry for years, but I have to admit I did not really know where those bags were going. I knew that the ministry was a "food pantry," but I did not comprehend the gem of a destination for our particular goods that is Manos de Cristo until I delivered the blue bags collected by our congregation to their office one weekday morning last year.
First of all, let me tell you that the people of WHPC are a very generous group. So generous that our donations completely filled my minivan, even with the seats tucked away. I drove carefully over to the corner of Harmon Avenue, a block off of I-35 in East Austin, with my rear end sagging. My kids and I had a quick tour of the building, which includes a dental clinic, education facilities, and clothes closet as well as the food pantry. At that point, my “crew” promptly went to work unloading over 80 bags and stocking the pantry, which is about the size of the chapel.
Manos de Cristo’s office, located at 4911 Harmon Ave in East Austin.
Food staples on the counter inside Manos de Cristo’s food pantry.
Every weekday morning, the staff and volunteers at Manos host a steady stream of folks who are needing a little extra help feeding their family. As we stocked groceries and offered a few other chores, we heard snippets of their stories: mothers with young children in tow; a father who was having trouble feeding a new baby on his teacher’s salary; a man out of work with a hungry family at home.
How is Manos holding up during this time of COVID-19? They are serving three times as many people as usual through their food pantry. They are taking safety precautions and providing curbside pick-up. With the multiplied need for food, they are making regular trips to HEB to restock. They had to postpone their spring gala, which is a source for many donations. The clothes closet is closed, and the dental clinic is serving emergencies only.
How can we help? At this time, WHPC is still collecting blue bags (and any color bags!) and making weekly deliveries of food and necessities to the Manos food pantry. Another way to get food to them is through grocery delivery services. One of our members made face masks for the staff of Manos. They are in need of both food donations and monetary donations, as they are making extra trips to HEB to meet the increased demand. For an up-to-date status on their COVID-19 Response, visit http://www.manosdecristo.org/covidresponse.
·Loaded up and ready to go! WHPC member Amy Bloomquist recently delivered donations to help Manos supply the increased demand for their services.
The author Hilary and her daughter Kathryn packing emergency food boxes for COVID-19 at Central Texas Food Bank. Manos is a partner agency of the food bank.
Above all, let us pray for the staff and volunteers of Manos de Cristo as they continue to offer much needed help in a dignified manner. And let us pray for the many individuals seeking assistance, as this pandemic is making life more difficult for many in our community. What an opportunity we have, now more than ever, to be the hands of Christ.
Shop for Manos de Cristo’s food pantry this month.
Requested items for May are 1-lb. bags of beans or rice, 16-oz. cans of vegetables or fruit, cereal, macaroni and cheese, crackers, 24-36 oz. dish soap, bar soap, toothpaste, and shampoo. Bring donations to WHPC and leave in the bin outside the 200-wing.
You can also order online and have items delivered to:
Manos de Cristo
4911 Harmon Ave.
Austin, TX 78751
