A Community in Action

“Thirteen years ago, a friend and co-worker convinced our office to sponsor a Love in Action food truck, sourced through Feeding America Mobile Pantries. I signed up, and I’ve been helping ever since,” recounts Bill Chappell.

Bill describes each morning of preparation, “…for each truck, a few of us arrive at 8:30 a.m. to set up tables to hold the food. The Love in Action truck, which brings fresh bread donated by local partners, is tended to first. The remaining volunteers arrive at 9:00 a.m. to unload the Feeding America food truck.” Each morning begins with fellowship and prayer. Bill continues, “The morning moves quickly as volunteers sign-in neighbors to receive food, and we begin to serve.”

“Over time, I have come to know people, building relationships with other volunteers. These friendships make it fulfilling. I have also come to know people who come for food. We look for each other and check-in.” When neighbors show up to help neighbors, connections flow and community forms.

Love in Action food trucks, which bring a much-needed food resource to the community every two weeks, generally require 20-25 people serving to make them successful. As Cheryl, our Director of Operations puts it, “what each truck looks like behind the scenes are people in the community coming together to feed our neighbors.” These volunteers are a tangible example of how LIA can accomplish so much, quite literally because of the people who give their time, resources, and heart.