I have told you about the ministry I am involved in here which works with foster families, adopted families, single moms and older single women. This is the group where I teach a Bible Study on Thursday afternoons. How I have grown to love these ladies! The Well is providing a wonderful service to many.
Yesterday, I received a call from the director of The Well. In a 24 hour period, she had received 10 phone calls from single moms who have lost their jobs and are desperate for help. We are trying to help by supplying groceries. Many of the local organizations which help in supplying groceries are shut down during our Stay At Home order. The Well is actually closed, BUT we are trying to come up with a plan for getting groceries to those in need with the least possible risk.
I made a call yesterday and instead of our interns having to go to the grocery store to pick up items as need arises, our local Super One has agreed to fill our orders when we fax them in for pick up thanks to their director. Our staff are then packaging and delivering the groceries for front porch pick up. We are trying to keep social contact to a very minimum.
What then is the urgent need? Our contributors have faithfully provided for the needs of those we currently serve. We anticipate this need base is about to explode based upon the calls we have already received. We want to be good neighbors and love those God places in our path. We want to help these single moms provide for their families when, through no fault of their own, their income has disappeared.
I have lived on a shoe string at times in my life, I have been a single mom, and I know how difficult this can be. There is no money for extras and any disaster can send you spiraling down. When you buy groceries, you calculate as you pick up items what the total will be and at times, you have do do without. Every cent you spend is carefully thought out. This time in my life had such a big impact that I have spent the rest of my life--even when it was not necessary--carefully considering how I spent the funds that were available.
Yes, these ladies will qualify for unemployment, but as a former CPA, I can assure you unemployment does NOT replace the loss of income these women have suffered. I can only imagine their panic as they stare at the uncertain outcome of this global pandemic. Yes, they now have a check coming--but when--two or three weeks? These ladies need to feed their families TODAY!
Would you consider helping? We have drop off sites for groceries at our downtown location and The Bridge church on North Vienna. Most of us--even when we are practicing social isolation, can write a check. No matter the size, every dollar will help to feed these families, we would appreciate your assistance. Help us to help these mothers to keep their children secure in the knowledge they will be taken care of and provided for.
Any donations to The Well can be mailed to 2303 Royal Oaks Drive; Ruston, LA 71270.
I was hungry and you fed me,
thirsty and you gave me a drink;
I was a stranger and you received me in your homes,
naked and you clothed me;
Matthew 25:34-36