The Parable of the Mustard (and Turnip) Seeds

By Jean Blish Siers *

JaredMaybe it’s because I’m a farm girl, but some of the parables I love the most are those that have to do with planting. They speak to me in an instinctual way – earth, sky, seeds, and rain, always combined with human action. In those parables – about the mustard seed or the sower, for instance – the kingdom of God doesn’t arrive passively. It comes through the bounty ...

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These Boots (and Hands) Are Made for Gleaning!

By Jean Blish Siers *

The best remedy I know for dealing with the news these days is getting away from my iPad and into a field. At a time when America and the world feels increasingly divided, unable, or unwilling to understand the feelings, needs, thoughts, or dreams of our neighbors, working together to benefit someone else has a surprisingly calming affect.

Last week, we gleaned grapes at Pastor Larry’s Prayer Vineyard. Pastor Larry serves a large church in the suburban ...

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The Not-So-Golden Years

By Jean Blish Siers *

Positive reports have been released lately indicating that while food insecurity in the United States remains higher than it was before the Great Recession began in 2008, it has declined slowly but steadily since 2011. Along with this bit of good news, there is troubling note: The number of food insecure seniors is not only higher than the average for other groups, it has not declined.

According to the U.S. Census, the numbers of seniors facing food ...

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An Example in Volunteering

By Andy Lemmon *

Rev. Willie Petty and his wife, CeeCee, began volunteering with the Society of St. Andrew by gleaning fields and picking up excess produce at warehouses. This is where most volunteers start, and where many people find it easiest to be involved.

Eventually, the Pettys became field supervisors, leading others by demonstrating proper field safety and field etiquette. They would turn a group of new volunteers into a well-trained team that could make quick work of gleaning that field.

Although ...

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SoSA Will Help Victims of the 2017 Hurricanes

Your gifts for Hurricane Disaster Relief will send fresh produce into areas affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma in the coming months as recovery efforts continue.

At this time, the people in Southeast Texas, Southwest Louisiana, and Florida affected by the 2017 hurricanes need the most basic types of assistance. They likely have no means for preparing or storing food, so shelf-stable, ready-to-eat food makes the most sense. This is not the type of food SoSA acquires or ...

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Lynette Johnson to Speak at the New York City Food Tank Summit

 

Foodtank 2017 Summit

SoSA Executive Director Lynette Johnson will be a featured speaker at the inaugural New York City Food Tank Summit on September 13. The theme is “Focusing on Food Loss and Food Waste” and will be held in partnership with Rethink Food Waste Through Economics and Data (ReFED), with support from The Rockefeller Foundation and The Fink Family Foundation.

The event is sold out, but you can follow it live on facebook.

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