As the pandemic restrictions first came into place in Spring 2020, many local organizations had to close their doors. The Hay River Soup Kitchen made the decision to close. This was when St. Andrew’s decided to operate a food bank and hamper distribution centre out of the church building. In order to comply with the restrictions, volunteers would sanitize all of the donations and prepare them into hampers which were then delivered to homes by volunteers.

This was at first an exercise in faith. No one knew how many donations would come in, how many volunteers would be available, and even how they would get word out to those families in need of support. However, very quickly it became clear that the community of Hay River was ready to help. Fast forward to 2022 and the hamper program is still running and provides support to upwards of 100 people a week. There is a long list of people who have volunteered as grocery shoppers, hamper packers, delivery drivers, etc. Though the Soup Kitchen has long been reopened, they asked the people of St. Andrew’s to continue with the program because of the much-needed support it provides to them, reducing the workload on their own volunteers.

The program, now called Our Daily Bread, has become essential in the community’s attempts to address food insecurity. It has been recognized and supported by other territorial organizations and by the local community. Our Daily Bread also received funding from the Anglican Foundation’s Say Yes to Kids campaign in 2021. To date the program has been extraordinarily supported by so many.

But, like so often when we faithfully say yes to a need that God puts in front of us, the program also blesses those who serve. For many it has created greater connection with the community, developing relationships with people they might not have known in the community. The friendly greetings and fullhearted thank you’s bring about a sense of purpose. In the daily grind of service, which can be taxing and tiring, there is a joy in connecting with others and sharing in their life. It also requires grace on both parts. Orders for supplies are incorrect or forgotten, or deliveries of food are missed; sometimes requests for help come in late, or people needing assistance are demanding. Yet, through it all, we see the grace of God, as we get beyond the sentimental feeling of helping, and arrive to a sustained and transforming experience of grace being outpoured.

I’ll conclude with the words of Phyllis Gibbons, who volunteers with Our Daily Bread, “The involvement of preparing and delivering of the weekly food hampers has been and still is, such a wonderful blessing in my life! To actively participate in the giving to those in our community who are in need, is a powerful spiritual reminder that I am here to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ. By extending myself to help support my church, so that it can be truly fruitful and conducive to helping our less fortunate, is so truly what I believe the Church is supposed to be.”