75,000+ MEALS PACKED FOR OUR CHILDREN IN HAITI!

“I came back so fulfilled!” — First-time food packing volunteer

Our amazing intergenerational St. Gregory’s team of 21 people gathered at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Tequesta on Saturday, March 15 to help pack meals for children in Bondeau, Haiti.  Some of us were veteran “packers” while quite a few others were new to this experience.  Our efforts in conjunction with the work of hundreds of others resulted in over 75,000 meals being packed — truly a labor of love.

South Florida Haiti Project sponsors this event each year to pack ready-to-go meals that are then shipped to Haiti.  The meals primarily go to feeding our children at Bon Samaritan School in Bondeau, our companion community with whom we have been in relationship for many years.  As many of you may be aware, the political situation in Haiti has been devastating (even more so than usual), resulting in extremely trying times for the population.  Food shortages are very common and, thus, these meals are truly a Godsend.  They are indeed made possible by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit working through multiple hearts and hands.

Our team’s shift began at 10:30 am and we joined numerous other volunteers for a brief orientation followed by “robing up” (apron, hairnets).  After that we took our positions at one of the many tables set up in the school gym and worked assembly line style, filling small bags with dried beans, rice, and vegetables that were then weighed, sealed and boxed for shipment.  Good Shepherd Rector Sanford Groff cheered us on, bells rang as boxes were filled, and upbeat music set the mood.  The one-hour shift time passed before we knew it!

In addition to the joy of helping to provide nutritious meals for our children (yes, they are our children, too!), we also received the gift of time with one another as we shared rides and conversations and worked side by side.  Seeds of deeper communion were sown and God’s transforming love was unleashed and shared.

How could we not come back fulfilled?!  Thanks be to God!

In Christ’s Name,

Anita Sherman