There's been quite a few lay-offs and job losses in our area.(Is there anywhere that hasn't?). One of the churches in our area is providing food to people at a very reduced price. It is name brand food, meats, fruits and veggies. You don't have to fill out forms to qualify, just order the food, pay for it and you go to the church about 10 days later to pick it up.
When you pick up the food, the church members hand you an invitation to their church and that is it. They let you know that they have clothing if there is a need also. They call you and let you know when they are ordering again and that's about it. No pushing their beliefs on you. I did find the whole group thing a little strange feeling to me. Like they were calling each other brother and sister. I don't think I could ever get back into a group setting like that again.
What I found amusing was that if I was still a JW, I wouldn't have participated in this program. Would have been demon food if the church was involved. My family would have been eating a lot of beans and corn bread, or gone hungry. JW's would never do a program like this. My oldest son remarked that if the WT Society did do something like that, they would mark up the prices of the food so that they made a profit, and would use the people's information to push magazines on them.
My son also told me that he visited a JW family that still talks to him. He recognized that they had the same food that we had. they said they got the food at a reduced price too. I don't know if a non-JW family member got it for them or what. I was glad they were able to take advantage of it too. Hope they don't get DF for trying to feed their family.
I'm thankful that this church sees a need and tries to help. Magazines and books aren't going to feed people when they are hungry. JW's truly look silly, when they think they are providing some great service to people in need by handing them a WT and AWAKE. Even Jesus fed the hungry real food.
Sadie