Sunday, September 7, 2008

Hot Grits and a Bible

A while back I featured a group serving lunch to the homeless in Linn Park.  Today I want to share another place in my city that is making a difference.   Through this blog I have become aware of a wonderful community ministry happening at Highlands United Methodist Church.  Six days a week these good people,  along with volunteers from other local churches and organizations serve breakfast to the homeless and others in need of a good meal.  It's not just   about the food.  They also provide mail and laundry service, clothing, toiletries and once a week volunteers help with procurring non- driver's licenses, social security cards etc.  The volunteers are amazing.  They know most everyone  by name and treat each one that walks through the door with love and respect.   Minister Reggie Holder has afforded me the privilege of recording this ministry through my photographs.  It's not about the pictures either.  Just talking and listening to their stories started taking precedence over the photography from day one.  This is a project that may take a long time to complete.

About the photos: Top photo - This was a request from the gentleman pictured.  It says it all. 
Bottom Photo: This nice man carefully saves back some of his breakfast each day,  and then
shares what he has with the pigeons that flock to him as soon as he walks outside.

Tune du Jour is "Shower the People" by James Taylor.  A message for those of us who are so very fortunate.

20 comments:

Webradio said...

Hello !

La photo "black & white" est très expressive...

M. CHRISTOPHE said...

I really like your B&W picture.

Laurie Allee said...

First of all, you win for best title of a CDP. Second, that black and white shot is so powerful it brought tears to my eyes.

People can really be amazing and wonderful.

Burd Zel Krai said...

moving post today, and reading it with the music makes a powerful combination.
thanks for letting us in to something that's happening and current and important in your community :)

Anonymous said...

There is something to be said about people sharing with less fortunate. Most of us fail in this regard. Nice to see your post today.

Lynette said...

Virginia, you have done a great job here with these two photos and your description of the work being done at Highlands. Thank your for sharing it with us. And that James Taylor song fits wonderfully.

Bob Crowe said...

Which of the two things in the title of this post is more nourshing? Which more quintessentially Southern? Just raising the question.

Virginia said...

Professor S.T., you are always so full of questions!

Katie said...

Really moving post. Your photos really enhance what your words describe. I look forward to hearing more about this community ministry and the people who go there and volunteer there.

PJ said...

I tell you what Miss Virginia, you post your Orthodox Greek photo next Sunday and I'll post my version of your photo that I took yesterday that I already have scheduled for my next church Sunday post. This is kinda WooooWoooo...;~)
As for grits and bibles and which is more nourishing and quintessentially Southern I have to say, IMHO, that the question is moot.

Kate said...

The black and white photo is full of character!

Eeyore said...

Virginia,
I have a couple of pictures, not nearly as moving, from the same church and a project I help with weekly called Project ID. We help these people get state issued IDs and birth certificates. You'd be surprised how hard it is for them to get any kind of work without that ID, and many don't have a clue how to get one. This church is doing wonders, IMHO. I don't attend there, I just go help them every Thursday.
Larry

Eeyore said...

Oh, my blog is at www.eeyoresramblins.blogspot.com.
Larry

Virginia said...

Larry , thank you for the work you do. It's a blessing for these people and our community.

Kris McCracken said...

Are grits tasty?

I love the images, and the message is profound. It’s good that people like yourself can find the time (and effort) to ‘put back in’ to the community. Plenty don’t.

Coltrane_lives said...

Grits are indeed "tasty" and mighty "tasteful" when accompanied with eggs, fatty meat, and flippity-floppin' pancakes with maple syrup (the real kind)!

Virginia, I knew that if I stopped by this blog, you'd get my arteries stuck with all the talk of Southern cuisine...Man, but do I miss the greens, black-eyed peas, fried okra, and slowly-smoking meats. [Yes, I's do.];-)

Eats and meats aside, this is a BEAUTIFUL outreach you've got going on in your community, and may it encourage us all to do our part(grits or no grits). That's what it's all about, eh?

Your blog is spreading a lot of sunshine all over the place, Virginia. Glad to be a small part of your community. As Satchmo might say, "Red beans and ricefully yours." Have a good week!
;-)

Virginia said...

Kris, I think Coltrane answered your question far better that I!

"Red beans and ricefully yours" is great. Haven't heard that one before.

Jane Hards Photography said...

It is amaxing to see the man with almost nothing shares what little he has. I have some faith in humanity afteral. I love those food droplets, you can feel the movement in this.

Leedra said...

Such a great story. Thank you for sharing.

Eki said...

It's wonderful to get to know people like them; people who make a difference where they are.