{Service} Portland: Feeding the Hungry

Last year for Christmas we were given some money and a request from Rich's parents; we were to use the money to perform a SERVICE for somebody and then we were to report back to them what we had done as our Christmas gift to them this year.

Love it!

After discussing a handful of ideas, including making blankets or donating to a family of a sick child, the kids made the decision to make sack lunches to distribute in downtown Portland.

We went as a family to the grocery store and the kids figured out how much we could buy with the money that we had. They were 100% in charge of what we bought and, thanks to a few sales, our money went further than we planned.

The next morning we assembled the lunches.

Kaitlyn and Cason had decorated each of the paper sacks with Christmas pictures the night before, which was a thoughtful touch that made me so pleased!

We set up an assemble line for the sandwiches with Cason spreading peanut butter, I spread the jam, Ty opened the baggies, Kaitlyn bagged the sandwiches and Jake laid them on the table.

Once the sandwiches were made, everyone filled the sacks - a banana, two sandwiches, chips and a bottled water.

Our efforts to distribute the lunches were hindered a bit by rain - not the normal Portland drizzle but an actual "find shelter anywhere" rainstorm. Needless to say, we drove around for three hours and only delivered half of the lunches.

But I will say that those that received them on that wet day were VERY grateful that we were out despite the rain.

The following day we returned downtown and were able to distribute the remaining lunches much easier.

I am really grateful for this opportunity and for my in-laws providing us with the motivation to do this. Each of my kids were very involved - even Ty wanted to hand out sacks and say "Happy Holidays". The kids were required to get outside of their comfort zone a bit, but they were able to see the faces up close of the people that we helped and we were all touched by very sincere expressions of gratitude.

We are so grateful for all that we have. Despite troubling times we are so much better off than so many.

I know that.

And I am humbled.

Merry Christmas John & Marilyn!