Neighborhood Party - FANTASTIC!

Just a quick note.  The party we threw last weekend was FANTASTIC! A special thanks to Redeem Christian Fellowship, Monroe Christian Worship Center and El Shaddai International Ministries.  They joined in as local churches to reach out with God's love through giving away clothing (RCF), music (MCWC) and dance (ESIM).  A special thanks also to Mckinley Sanford and JT Mascorro who shared music with the neighborhood.  There are a lot of other folks who serve regularly with Common Heart that make things like this happen.  We really appreciate this dedicated team of servants. Together we served hot dogs, gave away groceries, played with kids, face painted, tied balloons, took kids on hay rides, dished out ice cream, prayed with folks, shared our lives ... basically loved on people in this ethnically diverse and economically challenged neighborhood. 

Unfortunately, we did not get any pictures.  But I know Betty, and the 400 or so people who came to her back yard experienced a blessing that they will not soon forget.

Food Drive Update (April 1, 2009)

Food drives and food donations are key ways that the shelves of the cupboard are filled.  Last month we had a virtual food drive that produced a great response. At a time when we did not know how we were going to meet the need of 45 families many of you responded by buying nearly $1000 worth of food through our virtual food drive. 

 

A week later a local church, Threshold in Matthews, ran a food drive that produced 1603 pounds of groceries.  Then the next week, one of our community partners, Bi-Lo at Siskey Parkway & Weddington Road, donated 1500 pounds of grocery items. What a blessing! Then the next week we received two pallets of chicken strips and sliced ham from Second Harvest, followed by a pallet of pasta!!!  For months we have been very short on meat & pasta. And then just the other day we received a donation of Tasty cakes from a local vendor!  We are in a different place than we were at the first of this month!     

 

Although as we start April we are in good shape, we can not rest there.  The need does not stop.  Our opportunity to demonstrate God's love in this most basic and practical way continues on. So, as we go into April, can you help out by planning a food drive, or donating through our virtual food drive.  Another way to help is to get involved with "Food for Your Neighbor".