An energetic group of fifth and sixth graders (aka Studio 56), spent part of their Friday at Project 66 Food and Resource Center. Throughout the day they sorted through donations and lifted boxes. It was hot, sweaty and tiring work, but they knew it was all for a good cause. The supplies would go to help people and it felt good to know that they were making a difference.
On a previous occasion, they had toured the center and heard about the many ways that Project 66 works to feed the local population not only with food, but through kindness, prayer, and the love of Jesus Christ. And as they served together, they themselves spent some time reading scripture and praying together. It was a great day.
As they began to wrap things up they decided to do one last thing…line up and take a picture! When the group gathered together they saw something outside that caught their attention. It was a couple…two people who were actually coming to Project 66 to be served. This moment changed their perspective. They realized that their time serving community, was in fact, for far more than a cause. It was for real people.
Serving community can take many shapes. Sometimes we find ourselves doing task-oriented work like collecting goods, painting rooms or building houses. And that’s great. But no matter what work we do, remember that it is all for far more than a cause. It is for people…People created by God. People with disappointments, and dreams. People with a story of their own. People with a hope and a future. It will change your perspective and keep you wanting more.
So in the wise words of our Studio 56 students…recruit some friends and let’s go help people! There is nothing better.
If you’d like more information about how you can volunteer and make a difference through Project 66 please visit their website by clicking here.
And if you’d like a listing of serving opportunities in our local area check out our very own Project 10:45 on our resources page by clicking here.