It’s rare that I meet a person and automatically feel their goodness.
Perhaps you could argue that people will rise or fall to your expectations; if you look for the worst in people, that’s what you’ll find.
Or you could argue that the world is full of assholes.
Whichever philosophy you espouse one thing is clear----good people tend to stick out in our modern society.
Such is the case of Ms. Viola.
Ms. Viola is the coordinator of the Angel Food Ministries program at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
You know, the Black Episcopalians who are feeding me.
When I discovered Angel Food and went to make my first purchase, Ms. Viola welcomed me like a long lost relative.
Not only was she warm, but when I didn’t have enough money to get one of the additional boxes she arranged to get one for me.
I didn’t know this woman from Adam and she was asking me what I needed.
Naturally I couldn’t impose on this nice lady.
I told her that it was okay, that I’d get an additional box next month. She replied that “Donations happen all the time. Just tell me what you want.”
It’s been a long time since a stranger has been nice to me.
I’m a “wait for the other shoe to drop” type of broad.
The defenses are usually up. The wall is set.
I know it’s not fashionable to say that you look for the ugly side of people’s personalities but I’ve always been truthful with you gentle readers and more importantly myself.
Nonetheless, I started to tear up at such sheer kindness.
I just adore that woman.
And because I adore this woman (and am in desperate need additional parental figures), I have a favor to ask.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church has been serving the needs of its worshipers and the Bronzeville neighborhood for over 120 years.
Their original church burned down in 1962 but they managed to carry on their ministry at the parish house until the new church was built near the intersection of 38th and Wabash.
The parish house is a beautiful but neglected jewel in a re-emerging neighborhood.
In fact, it’s next to the Margaret Burroughs house----you know the founder of the Dusable Museum of African American history.
The remaining old homes in the neighborhood are quite breathtaking and in various states of repair.
Such is the case of the St. Thomas parish house.
From what I’ve been told, this beautiful old girl was victim of some unscrupulous contractors and handymen.
In fact, part of the beautiful banister was allegedly stolen by a bootleg contractor around 17 years ago.
He took the banister from the first floor to part of the second floor and replaced it with horrible wrought iron fencing.
Yes, you read correctly----wrought iron fencing in a 100 plus year old house.
Don’t get me started on the dropped ceilings (Ick!) and other monstrosities done by “reputable” contractors.
In short the good folks of St. Thomas and Ms. Viola need to find the funds to restore the parish house to its former glory.
And before you all start asking why can’t they pay for their own repairs, I have a simple answer----‘cause they don’t have the money.
As someone who lives in an older building, I personally know how tough it is to find the money to handle repairs much less make improvements.
Keeping the lights and water on is usually a task within itself much less trying to do accurate (and expensive) historical restoration.
I know one of you has to know something about securing grants for restoration.
I know someone out there can help.
Just tell me how.
Showing posts with label Charities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charities. Show all posts
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
A Bargain and a Blessing
I’m being fed by Black Episcopalians.
Thank you Jesus.
Rather I should say Angel Food Ministries is feeding me by way of the Black Episcopalians.
The Ministry started in 1994 as a sort of a food pantry in Monroe, Georgia in response to plant closings in the area.
According to Angel Food’s website “Over the next few years, other churches wanted to get involved and Angel Food began feeding hundreds of families across the southeast. Now, Angel Food feeds over 500,000 families a month in 35 states.”
And boy am I ever grateful.
Say what you will about faith based initiatives but this one is allowing me to eat without spending insane amounts of money.
I’m sure you good folks have seen the effect of fuel prices on the cost of food.
You just wait until the effects of the recent Midwestern floods.
When you all can’t afford to feed yourselves or your families and beat a path to Angle Food’s door you can send me a note of thanks.
The concept is simple and quite straight forward---you pay $30.00 for a basic box of food (heavy on the meat) that is intended to feed a family of four for about a week or a single person for about a month.
Once you purchase the basic box, you can purchase one or more of four specialty boxes that range from a 7 lb. assorted meat grilled box to a fresh fruit and veggie box. In fact, check out what you can get for the month of July:
JULY SPECIAL #1
7 lb. Assorted Meat Grill Box - $20.00
(1.5 lb. New York Strip Steaks (2 x 12 oz.)
2.5 lb. Boneless Netted Boston Butt Roast
2 lb. Meaty Beef Ribs
1 lb. Mild Italian Sausage)
JULY SPECIAL #2
4.5 lb. Steak and Chicken Combo Box - $20.00
(1.5 lb. Kansas City Strips (2 x 12 oz.)
1.5 lb. Bone-In Ribeyes (2 x 12 oz.)
1.5 lb. Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Filet (4 x 6 oz.))
JULY SPECIAL #3
10 lb. Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders - $18.00
JULY SPECIAL #4
Fresh Fruit and Veggie Box - $16.00
6 ears Corn
2 lb. Carrots
2 lb. Yellow Onions
1 Cello-Wrapped Lettuce
1 Pineapple
4 California Oranges
1 Seedless Watermelon
6 Russet Potatoes
Not bad, eh?
And the best part is that there are no income verifications or forms to fill out. They don’t want your personal background---well at least the Black Episcopalians didn’t give me the third degree---all they want to know is what you want and how much.
Like I said, simple.
Now that’s not to say that there isn’t what could be described as tracts or at the very least inspirational messages placed in every food order. While I don’t have a problem with it, those of you who do it’s a small price to pay to be able to eat.
Plus the way the world is going today, perhaps we need to revisit our relationship with a higher power.
I’m just sayin’.
So to paraphrase the Blues Brothers I’m going up north to put the word in the street.
I’m giving you the hook up the same way I gave it to my friend and former co-worker who got laid off with me after getting it from my sister.
Now that I look back on how she and I got on the subject of Angel Food it’s quite comical.
My Sister: Yeah, I need to marinate my T-bones before I put them on the grill.
Me: (Sputtering) T-bones? Heffa, even though my income has been
severely cut, I know I still make more money than you. I can’t
afford a can of Spam but your trifflin’ ass is eating T-bones?
What gives? Did you get a better job?
My Sister: Oh, did I not tell you about the hookup?
Me: Hell no---spill it.
My Sister: Let me hip you to the deal---Angel Food Ministries.
And from that conversation I went to the website and found the Black Episcopalians.
Who, might I add, are a hoot.
More on them later.
Go feed yourselves.
Thank you Jesus.
Rather I should say Angel Food Ministries is feeding me by way of the Black Episcopalians.
The Ministry started in 1994 as a sort of a food pantry in Monroe, Georgia in response to plant closings in the area.
According to Angel Food’s website “Over the next few years, other churches wanted to get involved and Angel Food began feeding hundreds of families across the southeast. Now, Angel Food feeds over 500,000 families a month in 35 states.”
And boy am I ever grateful.
Say what you will about faith based initiatives but this one is allowing me to eat without spending insane amounts of money.
I’m sure you good folks have seen the effect of fuel prices on the cost of food.
You just wait until the effects of the recent Midwestern floods.
When you all can’t afford to feed yourselves or your families and beat a path to Angle Food’s door you can send me a note of thanks.
The concept is simple and quite straight forward---you pay $30.00 for a basic box of food (heavy on the meat) that is intended to feed a family of four for about a week or a single person for about a month.
Once you purchase the basic box, you can purchase one or more of four specialty boxes that range from a 7 lb. assorted meat grilled box to a fresh fruit and veggie box. In fact, check out what you can get for the month of July:
JULY SPECIAL #1
7 lb. Assorted Meat Grill Box - $20.00
(1.5 lb. New York Strip Steaks (2 x 12 oz.)
2.5 lb. Boneless Netted Boston Butt Roast
2 lb. Meaty Beef Ribs
1 lb. Mild Italian Sausage)
JULY SPECIAL #2
4.5 lb. Steak and Chicken Combo Box - $20.00
(1.5 lb. Kansas City Strips (2 x 12 oz.)
1.5 lb. Bone-In Ribeyes (2 x 12 oz.)
1.5 lb. Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Filet (4 x 6 oz.))
JULY SPECIAL #3
10 lb. Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders - $18.00
JULY SPECIAL #4
Fresh Fruit and Veggie Box - $16.00
6 ears Corn
2 lb. Carrots
2 lb. Yellow Onions
1 Cello-Wrapped Lettuce
1 Pineapple
4 California Oranges
1 Seedless Watermelon
6 Russet Potatoes
Not bad, eh?
And the best part is that there are no income verifications or forms to fill out. They don’t want your personal background---well at least the Black Episcopalians didn’t give me the third degree---all they want to know is what you want and how much.
Like I said, simple.
Now that’s not to say that there isn’t what could be described as tracts or at the very least inspirational messages placed in every food order. While I don’t have a problem with it, those of you who do it’s a small price to pay to be able to eat.
Plus the way the world is going today, perhaps we need to revisit our relationship with a higher power.
I’m just sayin’.
So to paraphrase the Blues Brothers I’m going up north to put the word in the street.
I’m giving you the hook up the same way I gave it to my friend and former co-worker who got laid off with me after getting it from my sister.
Now that I look back on how she and I got on the subject of Angel Food it’s quite comical.
My Sister: Yeah, I need to marinate my T-bones before I put them on the grill.
Me: (Sputtering) T-bones? Heffa, even though my income has been
severely cut, I know I still make more money than you. I can’t
afford a can of Spam but your trifflin’ ass is eating T-bones?
What gives? Did you get a better job?
My Sister: Oh, did I not tell you about the hookup?
Me: Hell no---spill it.
My Sister: Let me hip you to the deal---Angel Food Ministries.
And from that conversation I went to the website and found the Black Episcopalians.
Who, might I add, are a hoot.
More on them later.
Go feed yourselves.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Eminem
So if you're starting to clean out your closet in advance of spring, these good organizations could always use your immaculately cared for items:
The Bottomless Closet
This organization provides employment assistance, couseling and clothing to women on public aid and the working poor who are in transition. It's a great program---I've been donating to them for years. They're always looking for professional clothing and accessories for women sizes 14 on up. Big girls need love too.
The Glass Slipper Project
Do you really need to wear that old bridesmaid dress out for Halloween again? Why don't you just dry clean it and donate it to these nice folks so a girl can afford to go to prom. Once again, they always need donations from a size 14 on up.
The Brown Elephant Resale Shops
A Chicago Institution affiliated with the Howard Brown Health Center. A leading provider or health and wellness programs for the gay, lesbian, transgendered and bisexual community.
The Bottomless Closet
This organization provides employment assistance, couseling and clothing to women on public aid and the working poor who are in transition. It's a great program---I've been donating to them for years. They're always looking for professional clothing and accessories for women sizes 14 on up. Big girls need love too.
The Glass Slipper Project
Do you really need to wear that old bridesmaid dress out for Halloween again? Why don't you just dry clean it and donate it to these nice folks so a girl can afford to go to prom. Once again, they always need donations from a size 14 on up.
The Brown Elephant Resale Shops
A Chicago Institution affiliated with the Howard Brown Health Center. A leading provider or health and wellness programs for the gay, lesbian, transgendered and bisexual community.
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