Feeding Paw Paw#

If you were to drive into the parking lot of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Paw Paw, Michigan, on the second Wednesday of any month between April and November, you would notice several cars and pick-ups lined up in front of the church. You would also take note of the message on the electronic church sign: Feeding America at Noon Today.

Before long, volunteers begin setting up traffic cones in a go-kart track pattern. You soon realize this is designed to organize the growing line of cars into a manageable flow. One by one, additional cars arrive and are directed into formation to patiently wait for the distribution to begin. The “early birds” have arrived before sunrise.

Soon there are greeters at the entrance and along the route, welcoming each driver with a warm smile and kind words. Seeing these vehicles in position hours before the event begins tells a deeper story – some offer their unique and often difficult reasons for coming.

“I came today because my spouse lost his job and we have nothing to eat without this assistance; I have several children, and we just can’t keep up with the cost of food; I am dealing with a major health issue and can’t support myself; our electricity has been cut off and our living conditions are deplorable.” Each car represents real struggles, and appreciation is often voiced for the Adventist church’s help.

Not all those who enter the parking lot come with needs. Early one morning, a nice-looking pickup truck drove in and the driver approached one of the organizers with a message: “I want you to know that the people of the community have taken note of what your church is doing, and we are so grateful. Here is a little something ($100). We want to support what you are doing.”

As the morning passes, the lines of cars increase and fill the entire lot with rows of vehicles, each awaiting their turn for the process to begin. At 11:00, the activity really picks up as 25–40 volunteers arrive and take their positions. Although most of these volunteers, young and old, are church members, several community individuals have joined the effort. Church members relish the opportunity to work side by side with these caring people. Some of those receiving food have subsequently attended church functions and meetings.

About 11:20, the Feeding America truck arrives and positions itself for unloading. Volunteers encircle the truck and pull up tables to each side. Some items are prepackaged, while others are in bulk containers and need to be bagged. Once everything is ready, a parade of wagons—often pulled by the youth of the church when school is out—begins circling the truck, loading items for each family. At that point, the line of cars begins moving forward, and each vehicle is loaded with its allotment of food. The process is well managed, and the choreography of movement is a sight to behold.

From the loading zone you’ll hear: “Thank you,” “God bless you,” “You folks are wonderful,” “See you next month!” Big smiles and friendly waves are exchanged as each vehicle leaves the parking lot and blends back into the community.

This outreach activity serves up to 230 households a month (as many as 650 individuals) and has given the Paw Paw Adventist Church a profound sense of working together for a good cause. The fee to host this event is built into the local church budget, and the message of Acts 20:35 is experienced by all participants: the blessings of giving outweigh those of receiving.

The entire church family experiences God’s presence on the second Wednesday of each month. Even those members who have work obligations during the distribution time and cannot participate feel a sense of pride and ownership for what their church is doing for the community.

In addition to the Feeding America events, the Paw Paw Adventist Church supports the local United Christian Services, Bethany Christian Services, and other community outreach programs. They are known in the area for getting involved and supporting others who make life better.