For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. Matthew 25:35. This is the scripture that many members of Emmanuel’s Adults on Mission group are seeing fulfilled during the time they spend each month volunteering at Main Street Mission in Pineville.
Lynn White enjoys the camaraderie of the Emmanuel people helping others. “I see it on our faces and theirs,” Lynn said.
Her favorite aspect of volunteering at the mission is serving food. “I feel like it’s the only way that I’ve been able to help the homeless and needy where my hands are doing something, rather than just donating money. I wish we could do more.”
Nippy Blair believes Emmanuel’s involvement at the mission is important “because we should care about other people that are in worse situations than us.” He enjoys visiting with people and helping sort clothes.
Nippy likes finding out about their lives. “Sometimes we’ve shared similar experiences, like being in the military,” Nippy said.
Roxanne Branch realizes that it’s a huge commitment of time and finances to provide a meal for 30-40 people 5 days a week. “Maintaining the clothing closets, pantry, hygiene bags, and snack and food bags takes a considerable amount of time,” Roxanne said.
The way the mission runs is that all of these tasks are completed through the collaboration of many different churches. Roxanne believes “It is important that Emmanuel’s Adults on Missions support other churches in this worthwhile community outreach.”
For Nippy “Volunteering at the mission makes me feel good and that I am a part of this world and this city in the fact that I have helped someone, even if I just listened to them.”
Join Emmanuel’s Adults on Mission during their monthly visit to Main Street Mission next week on Tuesday, March 4, from 9 a.m. to Noon. For more information, contact Karen Weems, Debbie Dollar or Frances Blair.
