Spring is well underway, and summer is around the corner.

 

Seven folks travelled to Marion Virginia for our annual Spring Woodcut trip.  Led by Randy Creswell, the team was rounded out with Joe Dooley, Ellianna Davidson, Todd Lipp, Andy Morris, and Dean & Leslie Little. The first thing we noticed when we got to the Project house was how empty the wood sheds were...it was a long winter in Marion. On Saturday, we worked on a lovely hilltop site on a beautiful day, cutting up downed trees and hauling them back to the Project House for future splitting and stacking. Multiple truck loads, as we were unable to maneuver the wood trailer up the hill.  Ellianna even took a turn at splitting the larger logs! 

 (see pictures, sent separately)

 

Randy will be leading a group from BRUMC at Project Crossroads on June 3-6. This trip is typically more construction-oriented.  As I write this, I do not know what our project will be. But if you are interested, ask Randy (865-7127414).  We usually drive up on Wednesday the 3rd, and work at the site Thursday - Saturday, returning Saturday afternoon.  We spend the nights in the Project House  (in beds, but bring your own linens). All levels of skill are welcome.

 

The Beaver Ridge Food Pantry continues to thrive.  Our computer check-in is continuing to smooth out, and the monthly statistics report was sooo much easier.  I would like to highlight some of our regular donors of food to the Pantry: 

• A big thank you to Cedarbrook outreach (CBO) for their continued donations.  They collect food weekly from both Sprouts and Kroger, and deliver this food to under-served neighborhoods in the Cedar Brook area. Excess food has then been delivered to our Food Pantry.  A shout-out to Kirby and Lora Lee Wilcher for facilitating this donation.

• Food City on Middlebrook Pike provides us with gleaned drygoods three days a week.  Many thanks to Paulette and John for leading the charge for acquiring this food for our pantry. 

• Trinity Methodist Church (up the road from us) has donated many loaves of bread to supplement our offerings at the Pantry

• Concord Methodist Church (on Kingston Pike) has signed us up to receive gleaned assorted bagels (from Panera and others) for distribution in our Pantry twice a month.  We have successfully shared this bounty with our friends at Oak Ridge Estates.

• Most recently, the Food Donation Connection program has facilitated BRUMC in contacting local Weigels stores to pick up surplus food for our Pantry.  I have been picking up at the Hardin Valley store for about a month, and just recently have been asked to pick up at the Weigels across the street from BRUMC.

These are just a few of the sources of food donations. In May, we will be again gleaning for fresh produce at both the Downtown Market Square market  once a month and at the Hardin Valley Market.  

 

I would love to include others who are interested in either gleaning (list above) or in working a regular shift in the Pantry.  It truly feeds the soul.

 

Blessings to all,

 

Leslie Little