Sharing food is holy. Throughout Jewish and Christian scripture, sharing food with people who are hungry is celebrated and set forth as a model for us to follow. God gives manna and quail to the wandering Israelites in the desert (Exodus 16); Elijah makes sure the widow continues to have oil and flour to make bread for herself and her son (1 Kings 17). Isaiah calls to his listeners to come, buy milk and bread without money (Isaiah 55), and the Psalms frequently speak of the goodness of food – Taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34). Jesus feeds thousands of hungry people (Matthew 14, John 6), and he frequently tells his disciples to do the same (Mark 6, Matthew 25). Then he asks them, and those of us who still follow him, to remember him when we eat together (Luke 22).
So it is a holy task to share food with hungry people in the community through food banks and food pantries. Delaware Opportunities in Hamden is the central food bank in the county. From there, non-perishable food is sent all over the county to food pantries in church basements and old train stations, places where neighbors can come when they’re struggling to put food on the table. Delhi, Andes, Bloomville, Colchester, East Branch, Deposit, Hancock, Kortright, Roxbury, Sidney Center, Masonville, Sidney, Franklin, Davenport, Margaretville, and Grand Gorge all have food pantries in town. If your local food pantry is anything like ours here in Delhi in the basement of The United Ministry, it’s been a busy summer. Like most pantries in the area, we supplement the basic staples we get from DO with milk and butter and fresh produce as we can, sustained by donations from members of churches and others in the community. We have given out bushels of fresh corn and zucchini, many quarts of milk, dozens and dozens of eggs, as well as full bags with apple sauce, pasta, corned beef hash, and crackers. We’ve run low, we’ve restocked, we’ve run low again, and restocked again. We expect the need to continue well into the fall and winter months, and budget cuts on the state level mean Delaware Opportunities won’t have as much to share. Local food pantries need ongoing donations of food and of funds, to keep up with the need of hungry families in the community.
Sharing food is holy. I know, I said that already. This time, I’m asking you, the community of people in Delaware County, to be holy, to share food with your hungry neighbors. Add a few cans of black beans or fruit cocktail to your grocery cart to donate to your local food pantry. Consider sharing some of the eggs your chickens share with you. Write a check to cover fresh milk and bread for your neighbors who need emergency food to feed their families. We are a community, neighbors who care for each other. Please remember those who are hungry, and give. Amen.
Rev. Cathy Schuyler pastors the United Ministry of Delhi.
