Greetings Fellow Foodies!

Our numbers from 45 open pantries in 2022:

· # households served: 9,005, Average 200 per week

· Total # of individuals helped: 31,903, Average 709 per week

· # New clients: 1262

· # of volunteers: Average 28 per week

308,760 pounds of food received!

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. - Romans 12:9-13

"But even with the inspiration of others, it's understandable that we sometimes think the world's problems are so big that we can do little to help. On our own, we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice, but the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine." -Queen Elizabeth II

True love forsakes one’s own interests or self-gratification or some other form of self-indulgence. When we take our eyes off of ourselves and look intently at others and see their needs, we might practice the theme of our love by showing humility toward them and coming alongside to show our love by acts of kindness. An earnest compassion toward those in need might well up inside of us when we gaze into the portal of other’s needs. Do wealth or fame matter when we witness the plight of others who have needs much greater than our own? The Lord surely knows the desires of our hearts and He is aware of our commitment (or non-commitment) to help others in need. 

Father, You are the light of our lives and we receive Your grace and mercy toward us. Help us to be a people who delight in serving others and finding ways by which the Holy Spirit guides us to help those in need. Help us to cling to what is good and seek out those opportunities which You place before us to show true love to those in need. May our love be a sincere love that is revealed by unselfish ways in which we might help someone else in need. I lift my prayer to You in Jesus’ name. Amen

An outdoor stand alone donation box is located in the back by the ramp! Bring some canned goods!

• Financial donations to the food pantry may be made online at https://www.covenantaustin.org/donate 

Go to the bottom of this page and look for the Designated Fund in the drop down menu and then go to the second sub fund button and look for Food Pantry.

Or mail a check to the following and put Food Pantry in the memo line: Covenant United Methodist Church, 4410 Duval Rd., Austin, TX 78727

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Bob Weeks or reply to this email. 
What do we need:  
• Money

• Prayers

• Heavy duty plastic HEB bags

• Diapers 

• Baby wipes 

• Toilet paper 

In Christ,

Bob Weeks