We began our day at Together Inc. and started off with a tour of the entire building given by Mike Hornacek, the Operations Director. Mike explained the free services offered to people in need. Together Inc. is unique because it is both a food bank and a food pantry, as well as a source of assistance in other areas. The food pantry at Together houses both USDA food and donated food, all of which is distributed based upon need. Together Inc. also offers clothing, furniture, diapers (when available), and household items. Along with food, Together offers assistance with: medical prescriptions, state-issued ID's and birth certificates, and rent or mortgage payments, when funds are available. As similar to the Heart Ministry Center, Together relies heavily on donations. Together Inc. is supported by the contributions of churches, synagogues, foundations, businesses, and a diverse group of individuals. After sorting clothes and loading up food at Together Inc., we went to our last service site. We next spent time working at the Blue Flamingo, a “thrift and gift” shop that offers both donated clothing and fair trade merchandise, as well as a community garden. The Blue Flamingo is supported by Dietz United Methodist Church.
Because the VIM Mission Experience is focused on integrating mission and justice, we were asked to think about why people are poor and hungry. We didn’t just go out to these sites and serve for a few hours, we reflected a lot on why places like the ones we worked at are needed. As Christians, many of us have done mission work. However, integrating that work with justice is what will really help effect change. “We need to change our way of thinking,” Stephanie Ahlschwede, the Executive Director of United Methodist Ministries, pointed out. One way we can change our way of thinking is to think about how we, as church communities, serve. Stephanie talked with us about the importance of “neighborhood based” service.
“Neighborhood based” service is service that is based upon the input of those in need and takes that input into account to benefit the community as a whole. “Neighboorhood based” service is often a more effective way to meet the needs of the community because it stems from within the community. Often times we, as church communities, tend to participate in “neighborhood placed” service. This type of service has its heart in the right place but often fails to address the true need. “Neighborhood placed” service is, as the name suggests, placed in a community, and does not integrate the input of those in need. By simply re-framing the way that we serve, our efforts will have a much more substantial impact on our communities.
Another way we can change our way of thinking is to advocate for change to the systems that leave so many people in our own neighborhoods poor and hungry. One good place to start would be gathering together as a community to lobby for a living minimum wage. Currently, the minimum wage is far below a living wage, especially for families. Advocating for protection of social services that aid poor and hungry people, such as SNAP(formerly food stamps), is also a way that we can really impact our communities.
Philip loads canned goods at Together Inc.
The Micah Corps outside of Blue Flamingo.
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