Ten tons of food and love shared
ROCKFORD MI ... White Pines United Methodist Church in Belmont set a goal in December to spend less money on unnecessary gifts in order to put that money toward things that matter. During worship on Jan. 8, it was announced that those special gifts totaled over $2,000!
This was enough for White Pines to buy four 5000-pound food trucks through Feeding America West Michigan. The food will feed hungry people in the Rockford area during the coldest months of the winter.
White Pines UMC is a full-inclusive community of around 50 worshipers, who meet each week at the Wolverine Worldwide Family YMCA. This year during the holidays they joined the Advent Conspiracy. The Advent Conspiracy concept is simple: Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More and Love All. The Advent Conspiracy, a growing movement since 2006, has proved in tangible ways that Christmas can still change the world.
The original goal of worshipers at White Pines was to sponsor three mobile food trucks. Special offerings were taken on Dec. 18 and 25. Each family, young and old, was encouraged to make a contribution. With tough economic times, and a bold goal to start with, you can imagine the joy felt by the congregation when they learned that their goal had been exceeded by an extra one-third. White Pines pastor, Dale Hotelling, said, "To set a goal for three trucks and then to get four? Wow!"
The first distribution was held in the parking lot of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Rockford on January 23. Food was free. All were welcome. Twenty-five volunteers from White Pines distributed food to 80 persons who came with bags and boxes. Pastor Dale praised t. Stephen's for their cooperation. "This was an awesomely great cross-denominational effort! They opened their parking lot, shared their tables, and other equipment."
Another truck will be in St. Stephen's parking lot on March 5, 5 pm. Please share this information with neighbors in need.
Learn more about White Pines UMC at www.WhitePinesUMC.org or on Facebook.com/WhitePinesUMC. Sunday worship at the Y begins at 9:30 a.m. Newcomers are welcome.