Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. (Isaiah 58:10-11)
Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. (Hebrews 13:15-16)
These are challenging times, but such times present opportunities! As you know, the Episcopal Church of St. Matthew has been in partnership with Old Pascua for several years. Reverend Debbie has let us know of some special needs that community has as we all cope with the pandemic. There are about 20 children who need supervision while their minimum-wage parents continue to work. Arrangements have been made for them to be split up into smaller groups to cut down on "social distance" problems, as they're supervised by adults at the Community Center (formerly Richey Elementary School). But they're having the same problems the whole country is having as they try to fill this need.
The community is working with TUSD to facilitate feeding the children while they are in supervised care from 9:30 until 3 each weekday. Until that assistance kicks in, though, food assistance is needed. We are working with other local churches, including St. Michael and All Angels, to bring together simple breakfast and lunch meals, and snacks. We'll be able to cover today (Wednesday), but will need assistance with days beyond that point. If you have some fruit, breakfast bars or cereal, bread, peanut butter, cheese, sandwich meat -- the kinds of things that are the ingredients of simple meals and snacks that will help keep the kids fed during this interim, please think about bringing them to the church office at St. Matthew's, and volunteers will make sure that the supplies (possibly including sandwiches made from them!) get to the kids.
The other issue will be familiar to you, as well, as we have all been aghast at how materials for cleaning and disinfecting-a must for keeping spaces and surfaces safe for the kids-are in such short supply. If you have extra toilet paper-even "just" a few rolls-alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel or wipes, Clorox or Lysol disinfecting wipes for counters, door knobs, bathrooms, etc. - just as you may be having trouble finding these things, it's a challenge to bring together these necessary items to make sure the kids are in a safe and healthy environment. Please inventory your household supplies and see if there are items you can part with to help protect these kids and their adult caretakers!
Many thanks, as you answer this call. Please bring items to the Church Office as soon as you are able, for a safe-social-distance exchange with office staff. Blessings on you, as we all move through this extraordinary time. With the loving support of community, a willing spirit, and God's guidance and blessing, we WILL!
