Right now, times are rough as the spread of Covid-19 continues. We continue to struggle with isolation, and stress and fear over the news that comes out each day. While all of us are at risk of this pandemic, it is the more vulnerable populations who will bear the brunt of the consequences. Populations like the homeless, the addicted, the poor, the disabled, and the chronically ill are the ones who will have fewer protections against the storm and need our help more than ever.
This is where the church finds its purpose and where many churches have stepped up.
Last week, we highlighted San Angelo’s St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church. They run a pantry that serves meat and dry food to low income families. They adapted their practice to make it a drive thru curbside pickup. Rev. Timothy Davenport-Herbst says about these current circumstances, “We had first heard about people hoarding and taking toilet paper, but the real story is that people are caring for one another, they’re sharing what they have, they are comforting one another.”
The church will be serving lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays and dinner from 5 p.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays. The church is asking for donations because of the recent influx of need. To donate, you can visit its website or call 325-653-5691.
This week we highlight the Micah 6 Food Pantry, hosted by University Presbyterian Church of Austin, which has started back up after a lot of hard work put in by its organizers. The Food Pantry opened up on March 26th and served a little under 100 clients.
They operate on Thursdays and Saturdays and are in need of volunteers. To sign up to volunteer or to donate, go here.
The Micah 6 Food Pantry, hosted by University Presbyterian Church, is also partnered with three other Micah 6 programs:
-Home Cooked Fridays hosted by All Saints Episcopal Church
-Micah 6 Street Youth Drop-In Center hosted by University Baptist Church
-Micah 6 Women’s Resource Group hosted by University United Methodist Church
For more opportunities for getting and giving help in the Austin area, please go here.
Please continue to tell us how your faith community is helping out during this time of need, so we can share your stories as well! Email Scott your “socially but not spiritually distant” tips.
