The Word Is

the city’s system came to a halt, including the Senior Day Program (a program that provided much needed food to a select number of senior citizens each week}.  That is when, on March 16, 2020, our Feed More Regional Manager at the Central Virginia Food Bank, Sarah Dovel, reached out to request assistance.

We learned that there was a total of 65-70 senior citizens registered in the Petersburg program, each receiving one (1) fully- cooked meal each week. We immediately responded to Feed More, explaining that we did not have the resources to provide prepared meals. They were requesting assistance with food that the seniors could use to prepare for themselves; so then, the big question was, could our humble food pantry take on such a large task? . . .and in the middle of our own pandemic crisis, at that ?? After much prayer and a huge muster of faith, it was decided that we would assist the program in as much as we were able to afford.

Within the week we were communicating with the Director of the Senior Day program for the City of Petersburg and the Manager of the food bank.  The Director of the Senior Day program would be arranging for Officers of the Petersburg Sheriff’s Department for the City of Petersburg to pick up the prepared food boxes from us weekly and deliver them directly to the registered seniors. We would prepare the boxes on Mondays and the Sheriff’s Department would pick them up on Tuesdays and deliver the boxes to the seniors.

Right away, we began to set aside specially selected food items that we believed would be nutritious, beneficial, and easy for the seniors to prepare for themselves – especially, since the majority of them had serious health issues or physical impairments that made it difficult to manage their own households.   As busy as we already were, managing our own food pantry amidst the numerous issues presented to us by the overwhelming pandemic, we were both anxious AND excited to find the best way to help with this project, without taking away from our current responsibilities and tasks.  And. as ALWAYS, God answered our prayers.

Sister Thelma Blackwell, former founder and director of the PSDA Food Pantry, was currently volunteering each Tuesday with the Food pantry. It was mentioned to Sister Blackwell that we were taking on this very special project and by the grace of God, I (Sister Blackwell) volunteered to head the task. I took this position very seriously. Healthy, good nutrition, generosity and simplicity were my top priorities when selecting the food items that would go into each senior ‘s food box each week. Each box provided more than a week’s worth of food!  Sister Nancy Cannon, Director Sister DeShayla Thomas, and Sister Joyce Joyner have also helped in preparing the boxes each week.

We were informed to assist with thirty boxes each week. Due to the COVID-19 virus, other medical issues, and a few more relocating to live with relatives out of state, our new number became eighteen.  We were at eighteen until the 1st of this year. The Sheriff’s Department asked if we could add three more boxes for needy seniors bringing our total to twenty-one. This wonderful outreach has continued to be a tremendous blessing and help to many, MANY grateful and humble individuals, both through the Senior Day Program and the outstanding PSDA Food Pantry.

 We need volunteers to help at our food pantry to keep GOD’S WORK STRONG.               . . .Submitted by Thelma Blackwell.