The youth groups at Christ Lutheran Church and Big Sandy Church of God held their annual trick-or-treat food drive to benefit the Big Sandy Food Bank last Wednesday, October 30th. Organizers described the event as very successful, with students collecting around 1,000 non-perishable food items through the course of the evening. The food drive has historically been run as a friendly competition between the two church youth programs; Ultimately, Christ Lutheran squeaked out a tight victory with 6 more food items than the Church of God Youth.
Rebecca Wiehe, who helps run the youth program at Big Sandy Church of God described the evening: "It is really fun to see the kids get excited about gathering things for the food bank. Having a competition is also so fun. When we get to combine youth groups for the purpose of being the hands and feet of Jesus, it is such a wonderful thing to see!!"
"When Rebecca Wiehe asked if I could help with the canned food drive, I said sure," explained Stephanie Drga, who volunteered for the first time this year. "I did not know what I was getting into, but thought I had a pretty good idea. When I showed up, I was surprised: 27 students with 6 adults supervising. The students were fed, split in two teams for some friendly competition, and we were off with a plan - Big Sandy Church of God took the High School side of the town and Christ Lutheran got the Main Street side (with the highway dividing). We tried to knock on every door in town (while feeling like we were herding ADHD squirrels in the dark). At the end of the night, 950 items were donated from our community, to benefit others in our community. Think of that for a moment. 950 items in one night." The following day, hundreds of additional items were brought in by residents whose homes were missed in the shuffle or weren't prepared when the kids came through and still wanted to donate. This year's competition saw the Lutheran kids winning with 6 more canned food items than the Church of God.
Kristie Rutledge, who runs the youth program at the Lutheran church summed up the win by pointing out that this year
our, "...Three seniors celebrate another win in their final time in the competition. The Christ Lutheran Youth Group keeps the trophy for another year, squeaking out a win by 6 items." She also remarked that, "Big Sandy Food Bank wins when friendly competition to stock it brings kids and community together... "Thank you to the Church of God for feeding everyone and hosting!"
Stephanie described the impact on the food bank's on hand stock: "Before the food drive, Terry Grant took me through the food closet to show me around. The shelves had items on them, but were definitely not full. I am amazed at how God provides for this town, from within this town. The things that the food closet was low on are the things that were most donated. "
Stephanie went on to describe a less tangible benefit of the work that evening: "As I walked door-to-door with shivering students collecting non-perishable items, it was amazing to get to know them better and make memories, all while serving. For anyone feeling pessimistic about 'where our country is going', I want to encourage you to think of this positive night where the next generation sacrificed their evening to feed the hungry and take care of their community. I know I will."
Rebecca also pointed out the deeper lesson in the evening, connecting the faith of the kids to the work being done. "And what a great reminder that the truth of Jesus, and His freely given grace and salvation is something that binds us together...and when we as a church (collective) combine to serve, there is nothing greater we can do as believers. We hope that doing this food drive gives our kids, and the community, a glimpse of who Jesus is."
Both churches and the food bank want to everyone who helped out by donating or volunteering their time. The impact you have all made on families in the community cannot be overstated, and we can't thank you enough for the opportunity the kids had to serve their community.
