“We need your help.

We are seeing more and more people coming to our food cupboard for help.  We need to be there for them.  Our financial cupboard is almost bare.  Your gift in any amount will help us keep our lights on and refrigerators running.  Please donate now so we can continue helping the people of Chester County who need us the most.  Thank you.”

I saw this plea on the local food pantry website this morning. I have never seen needs at this organization like I do now. As our economic crisis deepens, the hardest hit will be that segment of our community that was already struggling. The poor will be poorer.  Food pantries will experience a significant decrease in giving. As their donor base gets more protective of their pocketbooks, the needy will be increasing in number. In other words, they will have less resources to serve more people.

This doesn’t seem like a flashy and upbeat way to launch a website but it is my goal to present real needs to the community so that we can work together to meet those needs. I desire to “Speak up for those who can not speak for themselves, for those who are destitute” (Proverbs 31:8).  You’ll see a lot of God’s word on these pages. I want it to be clear that God cares tremendously for the vulnerable and needy among us and desires to show His heart to the world in the way we serve and love each other. We can be the hands and feet of Christ in this hurting world. Please join us in “Loving our neighbor as we love ourselves” (Matthew 22:39) I look forward to working with you.

Serving together,
Suzanne