By Marci McPhee, JustServe Specialist San Antonio East Stake
A soundtrack of Christmas music coming from the Mobile Food Pantry reminded patrons and volunteers that it was, indeed, December, the season in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, despite the 70 degree weather.
Once again, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (San Antonio East Stake) and Catholic Charities partnered to distribute food to those in need on December 14, 2019. The Mobile Food Pantry called “Hope Mobile” visits the Buena Vista building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 655 Castroville Road each month on the second Saturday. Volunteers from both churches and the local community, including college students, assisted patrons in filling out forms and carrying their food.
One of the volunteers wore a bright pink shirt with the passage Jeremiah 29:11, which reads, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (New International Version). It was a good reminder of God’s loving care for ALL his children and his watchfulness over the path of each person, regardless of their circumstances.
One of the volunteers, Bishop Michael Panter of the Pleasanton 1st Ward, said, “As I’ve been serving as bishop, one of the things that brings the most joy to me is going out and helping people. It’s great that there are people here from different backgrounds and different churches, all working together to achieve one common goal: to help those in need. I’ve seen some needs that have happened in my own family. But the ability to help others — strangers that they don’t know, even though there are struggles going on in their own lives — really does bring joy.”
Especially during the Christmas season, assisting the hungry is a way to serve that infant Savior of us all.