The Arkansas Foodbank is inviting faith communities to get involved in its weeklong "Full on Faith" initiative Nov. 28-Dec. 3.
The Rev. Gordon Garlington, a member of the transitional board at the Arkansas Foodbank and chairman of the Faith Communities Committee, said the campaign offers members of Arkansas' faith communities the opportunity to volunteer and help fight hunger in the state.
"We're inviting members of our various congregations to come and volunteer at the food bank ... helping with different kinds of tasks that go on each day," he said.
That could mean assembling Food for Kids kits or sorting and boxing food for food pantries. Congregations are also encouraged to talk about hunger awareness to their members or to host an Arkansas Foodbank speaker.
The initiative is also a way to highlight the partnership between the organization and faith communities. According to the Foodbank, 77 percent of food pantries in the organization's network are operated by faith-based groups. The network includes more than 250 houses of worship that work with the food bank to help the hungry.
"Other ways we hope congregations might decide to pitch in with 'Full on Faith' week are to receive a special offering for the work of the Foodbank in their worship service or to have a food drive," Garlington said.
Congregations can gather a variety of items to donate, including peanut butter, cereal, canned soups, fruit, vegetables and meats, pasta and pasta sauce, boxed meals and 100 percent juice to be dropped off at the Foodbank.
"As a Christian, and with Thanksgiving approaching, I see helping our hungry neighbors as one of the greatest ways we can express our gratitude for the blessings that are ours," Garlington said. "Help for the less fortunate, such as helping hungry children and families, is also one of the things, I believe, that unites our various faith communities. We may have different views on different things, but believing that our Creator calls us to reach out to 'the least of these,' our neighbors, is one thing that unites us."
Rabbi Barry Block, the spiritual leader of Congregation B'nai Israel in Little Rock, said his congregation will participate in the "Full on Faith" campaign by volunteering at the Foodbank for Youth Night on Nov. 30. He said the confirmation class and youth group will participate, and parents, younger children and those of all ages have also been invited to join them.
"We're looking forward to working together with youth from other congregations," Block said.
Block said the Jewish faith compels Jews to serve humanity, and one way of doing that is by helping the hungry.
"We pray to God and say, 'Blessed are you who provides food for all.' That is a statement of faith and how the world ought to be," Block said. "The truth is that God does provide enough for everyone. The question is how do we distribute that.
"So we are taught that our work here on earth is to serve God by continuing God's work of creation, of building an increasingly better, more peaceful and more perfect world. One of the key ways of doing that is by serving humanity and by completing God's work of providing food for all."
Garlington said morning, afternoon and evening volunteer shifts are available. Groups can sign up by contacting Amber Bryant, volunteer coordinator, at abryant@arkansasfoodbank.org or by calling (501) 612-1554.
More information on the "Full on Faith" initiative is available by contacting Kevin Black, major gifts officer, at kblack@arkansasfoodbank.org or by calling (501) 569-4345. Information is also available online at arkansasfoodbank.org.
Religion on 11/19/2016