The plight of food insecurity has only been heightened during this season of job loss in our community. The work of People Helping People is always to provide fresh, healthy food to our hungry neighbors, usually on a monthly basis for each registered household. However, during this season of increased need, PHP has stepped up giving. Serving 125-150 households every week, PHP has been able to keep the food pantry going throughout the pandemic season, only closing down for one day during February to organize the new method of drive-through distribution and close down the resale shop and other entrances to limit contact. Three days a week they distribute food from 12-3.
The all-volunteer staff arrives early to pack bags of fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy, bread and canned/boxed items for each family. These are the items purchased from Tarrant Area Food Bank at a nominal cost and delivered to Granbury once a week. PHP buys between 6 and 7 thousand pounds of food each week from the food bank and transports it on pallets. HEB and Walmart donate day old and close date food for free pickup. ( From time to time, FPC has been asked to donate food when the supply runs low, and we have been generous in our giving.)
FPC now has two members on the board of People Helping People and we have been impressed by the dedication, skill and efficiency of the staff in caring for the needy among us. Because of some generous donations, there have been some property improvements in the past year, including a new walk-in freezer, an outside covered area to protect workers from sun and rain, and a new sign. If you haven’t been by the facility in awhile, drive by and take a look. Also, the aging volunteer staff has been depleted by this pandemic so there is a need for some more help.
As a small but effective ministry focused on one essential goal, PHP is a treasure in the Granbury community, effectively addressing Jesus’ words in Matt.25:35 “..for I was hungry and you gave me food.”
Join Us for “Carmunion” on World Communion Sunday, October 4, 6 o’clock in the evening. We’ll gather in the large parking lot and you may remain in your car or bring lawn chairs to sit outside. A brief service of scripture and prayer will provide our liturgy for the evening. The elements will be carefully prepared in a sanitized manner and delivered to each worshipper in individual containers.
Come gather at the table with Christians around the world.
We will be sharing communion during online worship that morning so gather your elements for “home communion.”
The FUN Circle met yesterday to create Christmas cards that our overseas troops can send home to their families. Thanks to Gloria Mitchell for organizing this event.
Please join us at the FUN Circle meeting next Friday, September 25, at 10:00. We’ll be making Christmas cards for the troops, overseas, to send home (to family and friends). You’ll be able to use Christmas rubber stamps (and markers to add color), or you can copy some of Kay McMillan or Dennie Treat’s designs, or even come up with your own creations.
Please let Gloria Mitchell know if you can join us (817-909-0326 gwmitch@sbcglobal.net) and be sure to wear a mask. We’ll do social distancing, but we have to limit our number to 20.
This month, our CE committee worked on putting together “Sunday School At Home” for our children. Louise Murray and Nancy Bennett assembled bags for 9 children for the next six weeks of Sundays. The bags include craft supplies and lessons that tie in to the lectionary.
Flu season is approaching, and the session has decided to offer a flu shot clinic as we have in previous years. Ron’s Pharmacy will send a Pharmacist to administer the vaccine from 4:00PM until 5:30 PM on Wednesday, September 23rd in Fellowship Hall. If you want to get a flu shot, call the church office and let Shanna know. (817-573-2337) She will email you a link so that you can go online and fill out paperwork ahead of time. If, for some reason, you are unable to fill out the online form, don’t worry. We will help you when you come for your flu shot. We will be following Covid safety guidelines, so when you arrive at the Fellowship Hall parking lot, please stay in your car. Someone will come and tell you when it is your turn to enter Fellowship Hall. You need to bring your insurance card(s) and you must wear a mask over your mouth and nose while in the building.
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