Opening the Food Pantry

Tuesday evening was food pantry evening. We have no idea what the communication system is on the reservation, but it appears to be very effective. The rule generally is that events start on "Indian Time," that is, not when the clock says to start, but when people show up. However, not so with the food pantry. On the dot of 5:00 p.m., there was a huge line ready and waiting to get their food boxes. We worked like mad for a little over an hour... running back and forth to the freezer in the church to grab frozen chicken and beef, restocking the shelves with the canned goods that were flying out of the room, ripping open boxes for more supplies, carrying boxes of food out to cars for people. In the first hour, we sent out about 70 boxes of food.

Things slowed down considerably the second hour, meaning we could keep up with the traffic a little bit. By closing time, we were out of many items (though we still have about 20 frozen chickens, and several cases of canned corn, and a few boxes of Rice Krispies! We didn't have much time to talk to people in all the frenzy and few bothered to say thank you. However, one woman followed me around for several minutes expressing her gratitude. She said, " I just want to thank you so much and to tell you what a difference you are making in this community." Her words made the whole afternoon worthwhile to me.

Following that two hours of giving out food to hungry people, Paul and I rewarded ourselves by driving over to the casino for the $6.00  all you can eat buffet. How fortunate we are to have more than enough food to eat!

The food pantry will be opening for two hours again this evening (Thursday). I'm assuming the huge crowds will be gone and only a few will dribble in. We may be surprised. However, I'm not sure how it will go tonight as much of the food is already gone and supplies have not been replentished. I'm really glad to not be the decision maker and to be the laky who just does as she is directed and watches.

I'm really sure, however, that there will be food aplenty over at the church following the food pantry's closing tonight. Our hosts are putting on one last feast for us. This time we will be treated to Indian Tacos and I'll describe those at another posting after I've tasted. Paul and I decided it was time for us to contribute to a feast, so we are buying ingredients to provide strawberry shortcake to the event. There should be about fifty people there, but over half will be young children, as usual. 

Feeding people and being abundantly fed..... that has been our experience here. We are sad to see it end and are already imagining returning someday.