It's no secret to anyone that the holidays are rapidly approaching. I can't speak for anyone else but it sure seems like this year has just flown by. Along with all the great things the holidays bring, they also entail some addition issues we have to deal with.
For those of us who help feed those in need in our communities, it means we can expect a significant increase in the number of families who are in need of Food Assistance. We usually see anywhere from a 25% to 35% increase in requests for help. This is a normal issue we deal with every year and we try to be prepared for it with additional non-perishable food supplies. Most years we are. This year however we find ourselves in a bit of a tough spot. Like most of the other Food Assistance programs around the state, our donations of non-perishable foods have been down compared to last year.
I won't bother to go into the reasons behind the "Why", I will just bring up that throughout the year we have seen an overall increase in the assistance requests we have been getting. This simply means to us that there are fewer folks out there that are in a position to help.
We put our trust in the Lord to provide what we will need to help these families this year but we have to do our part also. In the book of James we are told in 4:2, "You have not because you ask not". Now I know I'm only taking a piece of this scripture but I am doing it to make a point. When we have a need, a need that is in alignment with God's Will, we are to ask for it. This doesn't just mean "ask God", it means that we are to let the need be known to other believers because God works through those that know Him.
Like so many other food assistance programs at present, we have a need. That need can be summed up in two word, "Non-perishable Foods" (canned & boxed). I'm asking that all our believing readers ask the Lord through the Holy Spirit to guide them in how they can help meet the need of putting much needed food on the tables of families in their community.
Our ministry's core focus area is the Chino Valley and Paulden area but we try to help everyone who comes to us. If you would like to help us at Squash Patch Farms Ministry here in Chino Valley, you can drop off your donations either here at the farm (drop us an Email for directions or contact Word of Life Church and they can give you the directions and other contact information). You can also drop off your donation right at Word of Life Church on Rd. 1 East, just West of Hwy 89.
