"If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, you will not find him in the chalice."

                     - Saint John Chrysostom

Dear people of Ascension,

   Upcoming is the first Saturday of the month, and at Ascension that means food pantry. The focus seems right for this letter not only because it's timely but also because of media attention, during the present bitter cold, on the acute plight of the homeless. In the even that you are unaware ...

● Our 150 guests (or so) every month do include some who are bona fide homeless, living on the streets. But many if not most are those on limited fixed incomes who live in subsidized rent buildings near Ascension.

● The second population described above is particularly well served by our main pantry offering: a grocery sack full of non-perishable food items, many requiring a kitchen for preparation. Examples are oatmeal and pasta. In addition, we offer a classic brown bag lunch (typically a bologna and cheese sandwich, a banana and more) meant to satisfy immediate hunger.

● Recent pantry innovations have included a separate distribution of toiletries and one regular volunteer who had an opportunity to distribute some nearly new women's coats. Another regular volunteer has on occasion served coffee to guests waiting in the garden.

● Most of the financial support for the pantry comes from Ascension's operating budget. Personal contributions may also be made at any time.

● If we imagine that it 'just runs itself' we're mistaken. The continuous support of both old and new volunteers, and the informed support of the Vestry and all parishioners, is crucial to the ongoing success of our pantry ministry.

   I wonder if our sense of shared pantry mission might be elevated if, instead of asking 'Should I volunteer for the pantry?' each of us asked 'What is my particular contribution to the pantry?'