Ephesians 2:10 ...join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing." (The Message)

 Mission Update:  October, 2005 - Andy Coats

 Knox Foodbank Volunteer 

 The Knox Foodbank for Street Youth was a program started by the Knox Church Out of the Cold Program Coordinator , Vicki, as a natural outgrowth of their work with the youth all winter. ( learn more about how Project417 was involved in the roots of Knox Out of the Cold ) It became apparent that many of the youth were housed, even if marginally, and many were coming to the Out of the Cold mainly for the great hot meals. The Out of the Cold supplies room where the youth come in to get hygeine items, shampoo, toothbrushes, etc. and also to see the nurse, is where all of the food is stored for preparing the evening meals. The kind hearts of the volunteers lead to some of the food items being distributed on occasion when the kids would ask. They started stocking some perishable items like milk and cheese and eventually Knox formalized the program as a trial run in the spring of 2005 for six weeks. Knox Church memebers were asked to contribute, non-perishable items, as well as small appliances, dishes and cutlery and other dry goods. A supply agreement for perishables like fruit and vegetables and frozen food was reached with Second Harvest and the program was off to a good start.

It was primarily targetted at youth who had been housed recently and had a need for a friendly foodbank alternative. Although attendance was not as high as the Out of the Cold nights, there was a regular group of youth who took advantage of the program every Tuesday night. It was a way to stay in touch with the youth over the spring, summer and fall when the Out of the Cold was not operating. I volunteered at the program for the Tuesday night testing period and also when it switched to Sundays after Knox Sunday service. Not enough volunteers were available Tuesday nights (after a long winter helping at OoTC) and most of the work was falling on the shoulders of Vicki and a faithful few. Sunday was chosen simply because most volunteers also attended the Sunday service and would be available for a short time afterwards. Knox Sunday churchgoers have graciously welcomed the street kids, even though tattoos, green hair and pet dogs are not the usually encountered at church. The youth who come have been suprised by another benefit- Pastor Hong of the Knox International Ministries Sunday morning service held in Cantonese and Mandarin regularily invites all the youth to join them for a potluck meal the international congregation enjoy together every Sunday following their service.

Knox needs your financial support for this foodbank as well as donations of non-perishable food items, personal hygeine products and good used appliances , cutlery and dishes. Consider volunteering for the Knox Out of the Cold program soon. See you there!