November 2010
Dear Minneapolis Market Sponsors and Volunteers,
I showed up to the Market last Thursday and immediately texted Dustin alerting him that our CSA Organic Produce was not delivered to the Market. His response reminded me that the growing season has come to a close and October 14th was our last shipment of organic produce, oh yes, we are on our way towards winter in Minnesota.
With winter fast approaching it is even more important for the Minneapolis Market to help feed our community. In doing a little research this week I learned that 10% of Minnesotans don’t know where their next meal is coming from and most have to decide between putting food on the table or paying their mortgage, rent, heating and medical bills. One in 14 Minnesotans struggle to keep food on their table and 40% of people seeking emergency hunger relief are children under the age of 18. These statistics remind us that hunger is not only a global problem, but a local problem. We are so grateful that you have given of your time or money to help us provide food to the Minneapolis community.
Sources
Hunger Free Minnesota Missing Meals Unmet Food Needs Study
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/09/27/hunger-project/
Hunger Free Minnesota Hunger for America/Minnesota Study
http://www.hungerfreemn.org/hunger-in-mn/hunger-facts/hunger-in-america-study
MPRnews New campaign aims to end hunger in Minnesota
http://www.hungerfreemn.org/hunger-in-mn/hunger-facts/missing-meals-study
This month I wanted to feature two of our Minneapolis Market volunteers so you can see the story of the Market through their eyes. Chandler Murphy has worked at the Market on a Thursday or Saturday shift for the past year and Patricia Kelley has worked on our Wednesday night stocking team for the past year. I asked them a few questions about their experience at the Minneapolis Market…
Patricia Kelley
How have you been involved at the Minneapolis Market?
I have been a part of the stocking team for the past six months.
Why do you enjoy working at the Minneapolis Market?
I believe the market is a real way we can demonstrate love for people, whether we interact with them directly or behind the scenes. For me, serving at the market stocking shelves is a way I can serve and love others. When I stock I like to be sure every item is placed well and looks good, that it is straight and neat, that all labels are facing outward and that items are grouped together well. It is a matter of treating the items, the space and the people who are served there with respect and honor. It is about giving our best, doing our best and creating something beautiful for others. If people walk into our market and feel loved by the quality of food we have for them and the care with which items are placed for them then, to me, that means we have brought Jesus to them in a very tangible and practical way. It is truly exciting for me to work in this way because I want nothing more than for people to be flooded with the reality that they are worthy, valuable, beloved children of God, and that Jesus is pursuing them, calling them into him and looking for ways to show them how much he loves them no matter what circumstance they find themselves in. I work at the market because I believe it is sacred space where God reaches out with tenderness and makes his goodness know.
What is something you have learned about yourself by working at the Minneapolis Market?
I have learned that no matter where we find ourselves in our own life’s journey, which for me has been one of sorrow where the temptation to retreat has been strong, that when we come together with people who want to love by serving, we are energized and bonded together by our Creator who really has created us to be in fellowship and community with others. I have also learned that where the Holy Spirit is there is the sweet, gentle pervasive presence of love.
How have you seen God work through the Minneapolis Market?
I have seen two communities of different backgrounds come together to offer assistance to those in need of food while preserving the dignity of those being served. Jesus always preserved the dignity of those he served. I believe he calls us to do the same. I have seen God at work as I have served alongside others and gotten to know them. Bringing people together and giving us the opportunity to know others and be known by others is really important because it speaks this language of significance. When we participate in authentic community we begin to understand, on a core level, that we are significant, that our lives matter, that our stories are important and that sharing an experience like this with someone else is food for our souls.
Chandler Murphy
How have you been involved at the Minneapolis Market?
I have been involved as a volunteer on both the Thursday night shift and more recently on the Saturday morning shift.
Why do you enjoy working at the Minneapolis Market?
I like working at the market because it gives me a chance to learn from people from a different background. I also enjoy interacting and chatting with the members and their families. It has also been fun to work with some of my friends from Upper Room!
What is something you have learned about yourself by working at the Minneapolis Market?
I keep being reminded that we are really all equal – everyone has the same basic needs, one of which is food. The same desire that I have to provide delicious, healthy meals to my family is not too different from those who belong to the Market.
How have you seen God work through the Minneapolis Market?
I know I personally have been humbled by the Market. Watching members shop with dignity and leave with food in their hands – there is something holy happening here. I also feel like God is reminding us that we don’t have all the answers. We are learning from those we serve…in which case it seems that they – the poor and those without resources – are serving us…and this sounds a lot like Jesus.
Again, thanks for your continued support of the Minneapolis Market. Keep your eye out for a story on the Minneapolis Market on KARE 11 on Saturday, October 30th at 8:20am!
Molly Schroeder
Member & Sponsor Coordinator
molschroeder@gmail.com
