“I grew up with both sets of my grandparents and heard stories of how family members helped each other. My mama always helped people and taught cooking, sewing, and life skills. All of that inspired me.

After Hurricane Katrina hit our area, I told our Pastor at Dayspring Baptist Church that we needed to do something. After visiting the food bank with a friend, I told the Director and our Pastor that Dayspring could pack food boxes to help in the community. My Pastor said, “Okay. Are you heading it up?” I believe in the open mouth, insert foot to work method. Who else is going to do it?

We ran our distribution from August to November. At our largest time, we unloaded 5 tractor trailer loads of food and goods, rocked and rolled from early morning until 8 or 9 o’clock at night, hosting volunteers from eight states. Everything was cleaned up and hidden away for church on Sunday, and resumed early Monday morning. Running that operation was the best thing I have ever done. People, neighbors, everybody wanted to help. It still gives me goosebumps thinking about the community pulling together.

Afterward, I was asked to start a Brown Box food program for senior citizens. Three years later, after my husband and I started our own organization, A Servant’s Love, we took the program and elevated it to what it is today. We aren’t a food bank or food pantry. We host a food program specifically for income-challenged senior citizens, giving out food once a month with non-perishables, fresh fruits and vegetables, and paper products. Even meats when available. This month, each person got 11 pounds of produce and a turkey. The cost of fresh produce is often out of reach for seniors on fixed incomes. We say we serve income-challenged individuals and families, because someone who has worked all their lives can find themselves facing life circumstances that change everything: raising grandkids, a cancer diagnosis, the death of a spouse or a child. And seniors are often done working; they can’t get a better job. They are also proud people, and love how we treat them with respect.

We’ve been running A Servant’s Love for 18 years. I’m the staff, and my husband helps with many things. We are a volunteer-driven organization with great volunteers and partner organizations. We’re trying at every turn to find how we can do more.

There are so many stories. Adult children call me because their parents need help, and they can’t take on feeding their household and feeding Mom or Dad. We have an application process and try to help. I know what it’s like to care for an aging parent in your home–my father-in-law had Alzheimer’s and lived with us for the last four years of his life—when everything shut down with COVID. I have been in their shoes and can empathize with the people we serve and with their families.

Sometimes, it is overwhelming for our seniors because some situations feel like there is no help. But there’s usually something—it’s just a matter of reaching out and letting others know what you’re dealing with. All of my folks know they can tell us what they’re facing.

One of our seniors told me she was ninety-something. She didn’t have a car and didn’t drive anymore. Her husband and two boys had passed; she’s alone. Another senior lives in her own home, but the house has issues that need repairing and damage she can’t fix. There’s nobody to help her. Who do you trust when you don’t know where else to go? We try to make connections and get the help they need.

I’m a praying person. If one of our seniors says they need prayer, we stop and pray. I pray for them at 7:30 every night, thanking God for provision and for the opportunities He has given us.  And for the people we serve and our phenomenal volunteers. When my mom passed in January, our volunteers kept A Servant’s Love going and made sure everything was just right. They took care of me, too.

Everybody can complain about problems, but what are you doing about it? You don’t have to do what I do; just do what you can do. If everybody did a little bit, gave a little bit, that’s all it takes to put this world in better shape.”

Lisa

You can support A Servant’s Love by donating items on their wish list, hosting a drive, or Adopt-A-Senior. Here’s the link to donate.