Compassion weaves its way through life's complex tapestry, revealing itself in moments both grand and humble. Our stories can also be threaded with unexpected grace, where simple acts of kindness can illuminate paths from struggle to hope.
Do you believe in angels? We do – and they crop up in the most unlikely places.
Our charity, Medway Foodbank, was at one of our local Tesco stores doing the annual winter food collection where we ask people if they’re able to donate an item to our foodbank. We’re always overwhelmed by their generosity and kindness. This year, we were moved by the story of one lady – she’s kindly allowed us to share it. It sums up why we do what we do.
This lady came into the Tesco store wanting to speak to us and to make a donation. “The foodbank honestly saved my life a few years ago,” she said. She went on to tell us that she’d already been to the Tesco store near to her, where we were also doing the winter food collection, but they didn’t have any Angel Delight left on their shelves – it had probably already been purchased by kind people also donating to us there!
So she had driven over to the other Tesco store in the area to get some Angel Delight, where she found us also doing a food collection.
She had needed foodbank support a few years ago and when her children had Angel Delight from the foodbank, it made their day in what was a very dark time for the family. This was why she desperately wanted to donate Angel Delight back to us when she saw us doing a collection, to bring some happiness into the lives of people in need. She then filled a trolley which she donated to us and, you guessed it, it included a lot of Angel Delight!
She’s in a much better place now and is working for a domestic abuse charity in Kent. She’s never forgotten how the foodbank saved her life.
We come into contact with angels all the time in our day-to-day work – our teams, many of whom are volunteers, local people and churches supporting us with donations and much needed prayer, and then this dear lady who after receiving herself wanted so much to bring a little joy and hope to others…and let’s not forget the Angel Delight!
God comes to us in many forms, angels, people, his Word and Jesus. Look out for Him!
Lorraine Schulze, Help in the Community – Medway Foodbank
Reflect
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in". Matthew 25:35 (NIV)
Pray
Give thanks for the ‘angels’ God places in our lives – those who bring hope, kindness, and provision in times of need. Pray for those who are supported by foodbanks and charities, that they may find not only sustenance but also encouragement and restoration. Ask God to bless and strengthen the volunteers and donors who give so generously of their time and resources. Finally, pray for eyes to see God’s presence in the unexpected moments and people around you, and for the grace to reflect His love to others.
Act
Acts for you to consider today:
| Drop a food item from your pantry, or today's grocery shop in your local supermarket’s grocery collection box. | ||
| Put together a food parcel and deliver this to someone in need. | ||
| Put a WhatsApp call out to a social group to organise a food collection and deliver this to a local foodbank. |
Share
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About Help in the Community – Medway Foodbank
Help in the Community don’t think anyone should have to face going hungry. That’s why they provide three days of nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. They are part of the Trussell Trust's nationwide network of foodbanks, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
Support Help in the Community – Medway Foodbank
