by Joanne Wiklund
Summer is officially here. My memories include live fish we had in an old Coca Cola cooler in the garage when we were growing up. Never had ice and pop in it. Dad brought it home and turned us loose with it. Said he couldn’t afford to keep filling it with ice and pop all summer. We put sand and turtles in one end and tadpoles in the other. We watched them lose their tails. Along about August when fun had worn off, you couldn’t walk into that garage on a 90 degree day. Phew, that water and those fish were smelly. Mom put her foot down hard and the cooler was cleaned well before we went back to school right after Labor Day.
Isn’t it strange how summer is tied to familiar foods? Popsicles in paper wrappers were a cheap treat, but nothing like homemade, handcranked ice cream and black raspberry pie from my husband’s side of the family. Fourth of July picnics were full of families, babies, kids, uncles, aunts and friends of their families. Groaning tables of food. When I think of all this I think of some of our neighbors who are helped by our local Upper Rock Island County Food Pantry at Messiah. Requests for food are increasing significantly right now. So many churches, organizations and businesses help it. We all have a chance to share food with people hitting rough patches. My Big Brother Chuck and his wife Pat have worked with the pantry for years and years before he passed away. I miss him so much. I know they all do. He was dedicated, as is Pat, as are all those volunteers who keep that pantry full, open and serving. Some of the volunteers are neighbors who used the pantry themselves in a pinch.
Chuck’s 82nd birthday will be July 6. Our church’s food pantry box is in the foyer every week and since a delivery to the pantry was made recently those boxes need refilling. Would you please remember to put something in the box in Chuck’s memory for the next delivery? My big brother never wanted anyone to go hungry. Some kids out here get meals at school because food at home is kinda scant sometimes. Those kids are all home this summer. Remember them also. If you can’t bring food, a check for the pantry is always welcome. Thanks.
HUNGER. Revelation 7:15-17 “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”