Sack lunch program/MLK FAMILY AND FRIENDS PROGRAM

It’s Sunday morning, and there’s so much to share about yesterday’s Sack Lunch Program. I hope you will take a few minutes to read about our day of service in Vallejo. So here goes. Since we usually start at the library, we made it our last stop yesterday because, we knew that a church would be out serving a wonderful hot breakfast during our new normal time, so we waited. Starting out, yesterday was a particularly wet and cold one, and that meant less visible activity, but it also allowed us to be more generous in most situations. Like in one case where we met a homeless senior who lives in his vehicle. As always, we approached him respectfully and offered our services. Since we had already met him before, he was very receptive, so he accepted. In every case, I always ask if there’s someone else with them, so we can make sure everyone is accounted for. Well based on their response we give the proper amount. So if we were initially giving someone two lunches for themselves, we simply double it if we see that there is another person, so on and so forth. Well in this case, this gentleman was alone, and obviously hungry. I asked if he had refrigeration in his RV, but he didn’t. So we gave him extra PB&J lunches, along with a couple of turkey sandwich lunches, because the PB&J’s will keep longer. That’s how we try to work with the circumstances of our friends on an individual basis. The main thing that stood out, was his age and the fact that he was essentially alone. So we shook hands, and I gave him our card with instructions to call anytime if he were in need, and we would do what we could, if and when we could. But not only was he appreciative, he was also concerned for others, and he directed us to two others that needed help as well! Right on, paying it forward the best way he could, but still paying it forward! 🤗
Further along and during our route, we were heading to the library, again our last stop, per say, as we noticed a family by a van. We stopped to offer our services, and we surprised by what we learned from the woman we met. She recognized us and asked why we weren’t at the fairgrounds where the free dental work was taking place? (For the last 2 weekends we have been distributing information about the free dental services offered by CDA CARES) We said we just hoped people were taking advantage of the wonderful opportunity, but we weren’t going to change our route, because we knew everyone couldn’t make it to the event. Well, all of that aside, she made it to the event on Friday, and received a beautiful set of new dentures, and her family member was waiting for her call back, which actually occurred as we were talking. We have always emphasized the importance of maintaining dental hygiene for so many reasons, so it was such wonderful news to know that people we benefiting from the free dental event. Thank you CDA CARES, you really make people’s lives better!! See y’all next year!! 👍🏾 After speaking, and meeting her awesome grandson, we also signed her family up for the MLK FAMILY & FRIENDS PROGRAM to start receiving bi-weekly family packages!! 😉
Finally, and most importantly, we are often contacted by our friends for help via texts, because we are very accessible by phone. Well yesterday we received a request for lunches, and since the location wasn’t too far from our route, we went after we left the library. Now I won’t disclose the location, but I will say that what I saw was a bit disturbing. The lines are getting somewhat blurred, because people out being forced to retreat and reside in or very near residential areas, and that’s not good for anyone. There need to be safe zones for people to be able to set up temporary safe harbor, instead of constantly being run off from place to place. I’m not saying we have all the answers, but we do have some very good ideas, and we’re are certainly willing to share what we know to help everyone from the homeless to the concerned homeowners, to peacefully coexist with the presence of established and respected boundaries. All of this can happen, while we and many other groups are still attempting to help those who want to help themselves. We definitely have some choices to make, because we will not be perpetuating any squatting type activity. However, we and those we serve must master the Art of Reciprocity! It’s about “give and take”, not “take and keep taking”. 🤔 We can do it, because we must.
In closing, it was another beautiful day of service. I often wonder why it is we as human beings treat one and other the way we do. However, I also realize that the best way for me to make a difference, is by embracing my humanity and recognizing it in others. Changing the world starts with first changing yourself.

“If we want things to get better, then we as individuals must choose to start doing better things!”

So with that said, we hope your weekend has and still is a wonderful one. We encourage you to tell the ones you love that you love them before you can’t!! Always remember to be kind to others!! Peace, and May God continue to Bless Us All!! ✌🏾🙏🏾

P.S. To date the MLK Humanity Project has served 11,200 sack lunches, homemade meals, hot and cold cereal breakfasts, and family packages throughout the Vallejo area. It is our profound commitment to continue to help those who want to help themselves, and those who unfortunately no longer can!!

P.S.S. We want to thank all of our donors, past and present, our project supporters, our volunteers, and especially our core team members. Thank you to Project Blessing Bags & Pits R Us, for your continued support, as well as all of the anonymous donors who share on the quiet tip! 🤫👌🏾We know that it takes the community to make a community organization work. With that being said, we encourage you to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!! However, we always say that “liking us is lovely, but sharing is caring, so please help us spread the word!! 🤞🏾

​https://www.facebook.com/144466902960746/posts/438187066922060?sfns=mo

”SOMETIMES GOD BLESSES OTHERS THROUGH US!!”🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

#ONELOVE❤️✊🏾🖤✊🏼💚✊🏻💛

​424EVR