WE LOVE YOU ANGEL
 
Without going into many details, Angel had a very serious seizure last night. I spoke with our vet and we decided today needed to be the day for her pain to end. We prayed it wouldn't come to that, but it did. After taking pictures of several people who loved her, Geoff and I left for the vet's office. It was a hard journey. Unfortunately, her veins were too small and it had to be through her stomach. Geoff and I stayed for the 20 minutes with her until her last breath.
 
The 10 weeks of joy she gave too all was worth her time on Earth! She was truly a little angel. We will always love you and miss you, Angel!

Thank you Meredith for all you did during this hard time!

Prayers for Angel  


   Angel 2 Weeks Old
 

 Angel 6 Weeks Old
 

 Angel and Chrissy

For those who have been wondering why I haven't blogged lately, my time has been consumed with Angel. Angel was the runt of Dida's litter, and the puppy I was planning on keeping. This past Sat., she started to have seizures. Sunday a few more. Then Monday around 2:00 am it became worse. Finally at 7:00 am I rushed here to my vet. She had to stay the day and night with Dr. Everret. Tuesday night I picked her up and once again a night long of seizures. The vet put her on valium and phenobarbitol.
 
Wednesday she had 18 more seizures, but by God's grace, she only had 3 yesterday. We still don't know what is causing them because it isn't acting like epilepsy. Today I take her back for more blood work. Thus far she hasn't had a seizure.
 
Wednesday it seemed like I had to prepare for the decision nobody likes to make! But, I kept praying for her to have a chance to fight it before thinking of having her euthanized. So far, prayers are being answered. She no longer knows her name but in time could relearn it. With very little sleep, since I must stay awake for Angel, I haven't had much time for anything else. (And of course those who don't get much sleep also have their own moments such as I wanted to sue Disney for their movie "All Dogs Go To Heaven". OK strange I know, but in a moment of no sleep and tears I called Pastors who said "Unfortunately no, dogs don't have souls and Jesus died for man, not animals.")
 
Please pray for Angel's continued recovery!
 

John Gibney (graduate from W&M and past volunteer)

John sent me an email this morn that he is also joining the blog wagon. He is now teaching 3rd graders in Houston. Hadyn, to see his blog, click here

FEELING LOST AFTER THE STORM

As you have noticed, I haven't posted in several days. This is due to the storm that was nicknamed "the little Isabel" that came through last Wednesday. I was on my way to Grove Christian Outreach and had to detour because of a wreck. The next thing I knew, I was in Norfolk! Wow was I lost. I called Joyce at United Way to try and get back to Grove. As soon as I hung up, one of the guys called me to see where I was because of the news reports on TV about the severe storm coming in. Here in Williamsburg, the sky was black. Then, as I was talking, the rain came crashing down. Traffic was backed up on I64 as hail came down next. I immediately called United Way to let them know how bad the storm was going to be and then called a couple of the churches, since they don't typically listen to the radio or news either while working. Then I started thinking about the people who walk or ride their bikes to "A Gift From Ben." They would be caught in this storm also. I called Thumper to let him know I would be coming in so if anyone needed a ride, I could take them. Once I arrived, only a few took the offer, but it was better than carrying groceries in the storm. Earlier that day I had gone by to drop off some corn for Thumper's clients. A lady saw a large print Bible in my car and asked if I had an extra one. Then another lady asked for one also. I told them I had a few at home and after I went to the bank, I would swing by and pick them up. I knew I didn't have many, but packed up the 10 I did have and headed back to the food pantry. In less than 2 minutes, the Bibles were gone!

By the time I came home, the lights had come back on, but the TV, cable modem and telephones were out. I had tried to call the digital company, but lines were busy. A few hours later the TV was back, but still no phone or modem. Monday I finally had our phones back and yesterday the modem. The cable company told me it was a major lightning strike to the outside boxes on our property and it took out my cable modem and network card. When they replaced the boxes, they were black inside. So now I have to play catch up on blogging and our fishing trip (for my birthday) this past weekend.

Feeding the hungry is a mission for this man
Hundreds of families depend on Thumper Newman for sustenance. But his food bank is losing its home, and he must find a new location.
BY PATTI ROSENBERG


Published July 5, 2004

People are already waiting as Thumper Newman pulls into the trailer park off Ironbound Road, gently tapping the horn of his truck a few times to make sure everyone knows he's there.

He comes by about 9:45 a.m. every Tuesday, after stopping in Williamsburg's Highland Park community but before ending his route at the Blayton Building, a senior housing project nearby. He does similar tours of low-income neighborhoods throughout Williamsburg, James City County and upper York County seven days a week, bringing free food to hundreds of households.

"There you go, sweetheart," he says to one client this morning.

"All right, darling, take care," he tells another.

Male clients get dubbed "buddy" or "sir" or "my friend."

No one is turned away, let alone asked to prove their need or income.

"We would have starved without him," says Kay Thorington, one of the trailer park residents.

Newman is the largest provider of free food in the Williamsburg area. He says he gave away 472,000 pounds of food last year. This year, he expects it to top 500,000 pounds.

A good Samaritan law protects grocery stores from liability for food given away to food banks, but some grocery stores are still reluctant to do it, Newman says. He estimates that he's been able to recoup only about half of what local grocery stores get rid of every day.

Every day begins before 6 a.m. with rounds to pick up food at Ukrop's, Fresh Market, Big Apple Bagel, Starbucks and three local Food Lion branches. He receives meat, fish, chicken, produce, canned goods, bread and other bakery goods that are approaching their sell-by dates and must be removed from the shelves soon. Instead of throwing it away, the stores give it to Newman for free.

Grief and a renewed faith in God led him to retire from a successful marketing career a couple of years ago, while still in his early 40s, and devote his time instead to feeding the hungry.

He calls his new vocation "A Gift from Ben" - named for his 14-year-old son, who died in a vehicle collision at the intersection of Monticello Avenue and Centerville Road the day after Christmas in 2001.

Newman believes divine providence led him to this mission. Now he's hoping divine providence will open a path to where he goes next.

He has been using the James City Community Church in the Monticello Shopping Center as his base of operations. In addition to his daily deliveries to feed people who might lack transportation, Newman also runs a food bank at the church from 4-6 p.m. three afternoons a week.

But the church told him in early June that it needs the space back by the end of July, Newman says. He has been borrowing space the church uses as a coffeehouse, and now the church wants to expand the hours the coffeehouse is open to try to reach a larger audience, he says.

"I wish it was different, but I understand," he says. "I greatly appreciate the support that the church has given me over this two-year period."

Pastor Sam Goins says the food bank was "hindering us from reaching our target audience," which he described as family-oriented, highly educated people between 25 and 45. He says the church wanted to offer more activities during the day, which wasn't possible with the food bank taking up so much room. Although the food bank takes up only a fraction of the church's total space three afternoons a week, it is space at the front of the church. Newman also uses storage space in the church's kitchen.

He notes that hundreds of people come through three times a week and some patrons begin to camp out hours before the doors even open.

Goins says he also has personal reasons for asking the food bank to leave but refuses to elaborate.

Most of Newman's customers start lining up 15 to 30 minutes before the food bank is scheduled to open. The first ones inside get the best pick. Everyone has their preferences - such as one recent visitor, a diabetic man who wanted a sugar-free pie.

Sister Berenice Eltz -who used to run a food bank at St. Bede's Church but is now retired and helps out at A Gift from Ben - pointed out some sugar-free chocolate chip cookies.

But the man persisted: "Don't you have pie?"

Sister Berenice checked the boxes that hadn't been unpacked yet and brought him a sugar-free cherry pie.

"Don't you have apple?" the man asked. When Sister Berenice said there didn't appear to be any, the man shrugged and put the cherry pie in his grocery bag, which the food bank also supplies for free.

Patrons are welcome to come to the food bank as often as they want, and many visit at least twice a week. Despite the fact that so many are regulars, little socializing goes on among them. All seem intent on the task before them and leave promptly once it's accomplished.

Newman says he is optimistic that he will find another space. He's looking for a large room, roughly 1,000 square feet, centrally located in Williamsburg and close to a bus route, with electricity and plumbing and a sizable parking lot. He has his own refrigerators and freezers.

"I have a number of leads but nothing definite," he says. He says he is currently in discussions with five churches and several government agencies.

If he doesn't find a place, he will encourage his food bank clients to get food from his delivery routes, he says, but he worries that might not be possible for the ones who work mornings. He can't do deliveries later in the day because grocery stores require him to pick up the food early.

Even items like bread and fruit would start to age quickly in the truck over several hours in the summer heat, he says.

Feeding the hungry is a mission for this man
Hundreds of families depend on Thumper Newman for sustenance. But his food bank is losing its home, and he must find a new location.
BY PATTI ROSENBERG


Published July 5, 2004

People are already waiting as Thumper Newman pulls into the trailer park off Ironbound Road, gently tapping the horn of his truck a few times to make sure everyone knows he's there.

He comes by about 9:45 a.m. every Tuesday, after stopping in Williamsburg's Highland Park community but before ending his route at the Blayton Building, a senior housing project nearby. He does similar tours of low-income neighborhoods throughout Williamsburg, James City County and upper York County seven days a week, bringing free food to hundreds of households.

"There you go, sweetheart," he says to one client this morning.

"All right, darling, take care," he tells another.

Male clients get dubbed "buddy" or "sir" or "my friend."

No one is turned away, let alone asked to prove their need or income.

"We would have starved without him," says Kay Thorington, one of the trailer park residents.

Newman is the largest provider of free food in the Williamsburg area. He says he gave away 472,000 pounds of food last year. This year, he expects it to top 500,000 pounds.

A good Samaritan law protects grocery stores from liability for food given away to food banks, but some grocery stores are still reluctant to do it, Newman says. He estimates that he's been able to recoup only about half of what local grocery stores get rid of every day.

Every day begins before 6 a.m. with rounds to pick up food at Ukrop's, Fresh Market, Big Apple Bagel, Starbucks and three local Food Lion branches. He receives meat, fish, chicken, produce, canned goods, bread and other bakery goods that are approaching their sell-by dates and must be removed from the shelves soon. Instead of throwing it away, the stores give it to Newman for free.

Grief and a renewed faith in God led him to retire from a successful marketing career a couple of years ago, while still in his early 40s, and devote his time instead to feeding the hungry.

He calls his new vocation "A Gift from Ben" - named for his 14-year-old son, who died in a vehicle collision at the intersection of Monticello Avenue and Centerville Road the day after Christmas in 2001.

Newman believes divine providence led him to this mission. Now he's hoping divine providence will open a path to where he goes next.

He has been using the James City Community Church in the Monticello Shopping Center as his base of operations. In addition to his daily deliveries to feed people who might lack transportation, Newman also runs a food bank at the church from 4-6 p.m. three afternoons a week.

But the church told him in early June that it needs the space back by the end of July, Newman says. He has been borrowing space the church uses as a coffeehouse, and now the church wants to expand the hours the coffeehouse is open to try to reach a larger audience, he says.

"I wish it was different, but I understand," he says. "I greatly appreciate the support that the church has given me over this two-year period."

Pastor Sam Goins says the food bank was "hindering us from reaching our target audience," which he described as family-oriented, highly educated people between 25 and 45. He says the church wanted to offer more activities during the day, which wasn't possible with the food bank taking up so much room. Although the food bank takes up only a fraction of the church's total space three afternoons a week, it is space at the front of the church. Newman also uses storage space in the church's kitchen.

He notes that hundreds of people come through three times a week and some patrons begin to camp out hours before the doors even open.

Goins says he also has personal reasons for asking the food bank to leave but refuses to elaborate.

Most of Newman's customers start lining up 15 to 30 minutes before the food bank is scheduled to open. The first ones inside get the best pick. Everyone has their preferences - such as one recent visitor, a diabetic man who wanted a sugar-free pie.

Sister Berenice Eltz -who used to run a food bank at St. Bede's Church but is now retired and helps out at A Gift from Ben - pointed out some sugar-free chocolate chip cookies.

But the man persisted: "Don't you have pie?"

Sister Berenice checked the boxes that hadn't been unpacked yet and brought him a sugar-free cherry pie.

"Don't you have apple?" the man asked. When Sister Berenice said there didn't appear to be any, the man shrugged and put the cherry pie in his grocery bag, which the food bank also supplies for free.

Patrons are welcome to come to the food bank as often as they want, and many visit at least twice a week. Despite the fact that so many are regulars, little socializing goes on among them. All seem intent on the task before them and leave promptly once it's accomplished.

Newman says he is optimistic that he will find another space. He's looking for a large room, roughly 1,000 square feet, centrally located in Williamsburg and close to a bus route, with electricity and plumbing and a sizable parking lot. He has his own refrigerators and freezers.

"I have a number of leads but nothing definite," he says. He says he is currently in discussions with five churches and several government agencies.

If he doesn't find a place, he will encourage his food bank clients to get food from his delivery routes, he says, but he worries that might not be possible for the ones who work mornings. He can't do deliveries later in the day because grocery stores require him to pick up the food early.

Even items like bread and fruit would start to age quickly in the truck over several hours in the summer heat, he says.

Feeding the hungry is a mission for this man
Hundreds of families depend on Thumper Newman for sustenance. But his food bank is losing its home, and he must find a new location.
BY PATTI ROSENBERG


Published July 5, 2004

People are already waiting as Thumper Newman pulls into the trailer park off Ironbound Road, gently tapping the horn of his truck a few times to make sure everyone knows he's there.

He comes by about 9:45 a.m. every Tuesday, after stopping in Williamsburg's Highland Park community but before ending his route at the Blayton Building, a senior housing project nearby. He does similar tours of low-income neighborhoods throughout Williamsburg, James City County and upper York County seven days a week, bringing free food to hundreds of households.

"There you go, sweetheart," he says to one client this morning.

"All right, darling, take care," he tells another.

Male clients get dubbed "buddy" or "sir" or "my friend."

No one is turned away, let alone asked to prove their need or income.

"We would have starved without him," says Kay Thorington, one of the trailer park residents.

Newman is the largest provider of free food in the Williamsburg area. He says he gave away 472,000 pounds of food last year. This year, he expects it to top 500,000 pounds.

A good Samaritan law protects grocery stores from liability for food given away to food banks, but some grocery stores are still reluctant to do it, Newman says. He estimates that he's been able to recoup only about half of what local grocery stores get rid of every day.

Every day begins before 6 a.m. with rounds to pick up food at Ukrop's, Fresh Market, Big Apple Bagel, Starbucks and three local Food Lion branches. He receives meat, fish, chicken, produce, canned goods, bread and other bakery goods that are approaching their sell-by dates and must be removed from the shelves soon. Instead of throwing it away, the stores give it to Newman for free.

Grief and a renewed faith in God led him to retire from a successful marketing career a couple of years ago, while still in his early 40s, and devote his time instead to feeding the hungry.

He calls his new vocation "A Gift from Ben" - named for his 14-year-old son, who died in a vehicle collision at the intersection of Monticello Avenue and Centerville Road the day after Christmas in 2001.

Newman believes divine providence led him to this mission. Now he's hoping divine providence will open a path to where he goes next.

He has been using the James City Community Church in the Monticello Shopping Center as his base of operations. In addition to his daily deliveries to feed people who might lack transportation, Newman also runs a food bank at the church from 4-6 p.m. three afternoons a week.

But the church told him in early June that it needs the space back by the end of July, Newman says. He has been borrowing space the church uses as a coffeehouse, and now the church wants to expand the hours the coffeehouse is open to try to reach a larger audience, he says.

"I wish it was different, but I understand," he says. "I greatly appreciate the support that the church has given me over this two-year period."

Pastor Sam Goins says the food bank was "hindering us from reaching our target audience," which he described as family-oriented, highly educated people between 25 and 45. He says the church wanted to offer more activities during the day, which wasn't possible with the food bank taking up so much room. Although the food bank takes up only a fraction of the church's total space three afternoons a week, it is space at the front of the church. Newman also uses storage space in the church's kitchen.

He notes that hundreds of people come through three times a week and some patrons begin to camp out hours before the doors even open.

Goins says he also has personal reasons for asking the food bank to leave but refuses to elaborate.

Most of Newman's customers start lining up 15 to 30 minutes before the food bank is scheduled to open. The first ones inside get the best pick. Everyone has their preferences - such as one recent visitor, a diabetic man who wanted a sugar-free pie.

Sister Berenice Eltz -who used to run a food bank at St. Bede's Church but is now retired and helps out at A Gift from Ben - pointed out some sugar-free chocolate chip cookies.

But the man persisted: "Don't you have pie?"

Sister Berenice checked the boxes that hadn't been unpacked yet and brought him a sugar-free cherry pie.

"Don't you have apple?" the man asked. When Sister Berenice said there didn't appear to be any, the man shrugged and put the cherry pie in his grocery bag, which the food bank also supplies for free.

Patrons are welcome to come to the food bank as often as they want, and many visit at least twice a week. Despite the fact that so many are regulars, little socializing goes on among them. All seem intent on the task before them and leave promptly once it's accomplished.

Newman says he is optimistic that he will find another space. He's looking for a large room, roughly 1,000 square feet, centrally located in Williamsburg and close to a bus route, with electricity and plumbing and a sizable parking lot. He has his own refrigerators and freezers.

"I have a number of leads but nothing definite," he says. He says he is currently in discussions with five churches and several government agencies.

If he doesn't find a place, he will encourage his food bank clients to get food from his delivery routes, he says, but he worries that might not be possible for the ones who work mornings. He can't do deliveries later in the day because grocery stores require him to pick up the food early.

Even items like bread and fruit would start to age quickly in the truck over several hours in the summer heat, he says.

Feeding the hungry is a mission for this man
Hundreds of families depend on Thumper Newman for sustenance. But his food bank is losing its home, and he must find a new location.
BY PATTI ROSENBERG


Published July 5, 2004

People are already waiting as Thumper Newman pulls into the trailer park off Ironbound Road, gently tapping the horn of his truck a few times to make sure everyone knows he's there.

He comes by about 9:45 a.m. every Tuesday, after stopping in Williamsburg's Highland Park community but before ending his route at the Blayton Building, a senior housing project nearby. He does similar tours of low-income neighborhoods throughout Williamsburg, James City County and upper York County seven days a week, bringing free food to hundreds of households.

"There you go, sweetheart," he says to one client this morning.

"All right, darling, take care," he tells another.

Male clients get dubbed "buddy" or "sir" or "my friend."

No one is turned away, let alone asked to prove their need or income.

"We would have starved without him," says Kay Thorington, one of the trailer park residents.

Newman is the largest provider of free food in the Williamsburg area. He says he gave away 472,000 pounds of food last year. This year, he expects it to top 500,000 pounds.

A good Samaritan law protects grocery stores from liability for food given away to food banks, but some grocery stores are still reluctant to do it, Newman says. He estimates that he's been able to recoup only about half of what local grocery stores get rid of every day.

Every day begins before 6 a.m. with rounds to pick up food at Ukrop's, Fresh Market, Big Apple Bagel, Starbucks and three local Food Lion branches. He receives meat, fish, chicken, produce, canned goods, bread and other bakery goods that are approaching their sell-by dates and must be removed from the shelves soon. Instead of throwing it away, the stores give it to Newman for free.

Grief and a renewed faith in God led him to retire from a successful marketing career a couple of years ago, while still in his early 40s, and devote his time instead to feeding the hungry.

He calls his new vocation "A Gift from Ben" - named for his 14-year-old son, who died in a vehicle collision at the intersection of Monticello Avenue and Centerville Road the day after Christmas in 2001.

Newman believes divine providence led him to this mission. Now he's hoping divine providence will open a path to where he goes next.

He has been using the James City Community Church in the Monticello Shopping Center as his base of operations. In addition to his daily deliveries to feed people who might lack transportation, Newman also runs a food bank at the church from 4-6 p.m. three afternoons a week.

But the church told him in early June that it needs the space back by the end of July, Newman says. He has been borrowing space the church uses as a coffeehouse, and now the church wants to expand the hours the coffeehouse is open to try to reach a larger audience, he says.

"I wish it was different, but I understand," he says. "I greatly appreciate the support that the church has given me over this two-year period."

Pastor Sam Goins says the food bank was "hindering us from reaching our target audience," which he described as family-oriented, highly educated people between 25 and 45. He says the church wanted to offer more activities during the day, which wasn't possible with the food bank taking up so much room. Although the food bank takes up only a fraction of the church's total space three afternoons a week, it is space at the front of the church. Newman also uses storage space in the church's kitchen.

He notes that hundreds of people come through three times a week and some patrons begin to camp out hours before the doors even open.

Goins says he also has personal reasons for asking the food bank to leave but refuses to elaborate.

Most of Newman's customers start lining up 15 to 30 minutes before the food bank is scheduled to open. The first ones inside get the best pick. Everyone has their preferences - such as one recent visitor, a diabetic man who wanted a sugar-free pie.

Sister Berenice Eltz -who used to run a food bank at St. Bede's Church but is now retired and helps out at A Gift from Ben - pointed out some sugar-free chocolate chip cookies.

But the man persisted: "Don't you have pie?"

Sister Berenice checked the boxes that hadn't been unpacked yet and brought him a sugar-free cherry pie.

"Don't you have apple?" the man asked. When Sister Berenice said there didn't appear to be any, the man shrugged and put the cherry pie in his grocery bag, which the food bank also supplies for free.

Patrons are welcome to come to the food bank as often as they want, and many visit at least twice a week. Despite the fact that so many are regulars, little socializing goes on among them. All seem intent on the task before them and leave promptly once it's accomplished.

Newman says he is optimistic that he will find another space. He's looking for a large room, roughly 1,000 square feet, centrally located in Williamsburg and close to a bus route, with electricity and plumbing and a sizable parking lot. He has his own refrigerators and freezers.

"I have a number of leads but nothing definite," he says. He says he is currently in discussions with five churches and several government agencies.

If he doesn't find a place, he will encourage his food bank clients to get food from his delivery routes, he says, but he worries that might not be possible for the ones who work mornings. He can't do deliveries later in the day because grocery stores require him to pick up the food early.

Even items like bread and fruit would start to age quickly in the truck over several hours in the summer heat, he says.

Food banks ease stress, up comfort
For many in Williamsburg, donations provide a regular income supplement.
BY DAPHNE SASHIN AND PATTI ROSENBERG


Published July 4, 2004

WILLIAMSBURG -- The women stood inside the small, dark foyer of the Rev. Mary Ellis' food pantry, waiting for a bag of food to get them through the week.

There was Jeannie, a mother of two, dressed in a white T-shirt and tight jeans. She cradled a stray kitten and hoped for yogurt. No dairy products today, a volunteer told her, handing her a bag of meat, canned vegetables, doughnuts, white bread and corn chips.

Marian Barnett was thankful for free chicken. Barnett, who is 56, earns about $700 a month as a private-duty nurse. Most goes to pay for medications for her diabetes, her car payment, insurance and rent. Little is left to buy food for herself and her grandchildren.

"You really just have to skimp on everything. They got chicken so high, $8 a pack just for a family pack," she said. Her doctor tells her she's not supposed to eat starchy foods, but pasta is cheaper than chicken and "you've got to try to eat it."

The women are like many food bank patrons in the Williamsburg area: They earn too much for government help but not enough to make ends meet. Some are hungry, but most are needy. They do not face an immediate crisis but face difficult choices. Food pantries often provide a regular income supplement, filling the gap before hunger sets in.

"Can you get away with paying only 50 percent of your rent? Can you get away with paying 75 percent of the gas bill?" said Steve Terveer, director of the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula. "You can do that with your food. You have discretion over what you buy."

The Williamsburg area's food banks at once reflect the community's affluence and its underlying poverty. Other food banks in Virginia are struggling with their supplies because the economy is creating greater need but is also squeezing stores and restaurants to sell more food and give away less. But in Williamsburg, no matter how long the lines are, the food doesn't seem to run out at the largest pantries.

It's a picture tourists and residents of gated communities rarely see: 164 families passing through Thumper Newman's pantry at the James City Community Church and toting away more than 1,300 pounds of food. Across town at the Grove Christian Outreach Center in James City County, people form a line through the parking lot an hour before Bread Day begins and carry empty shopping bags, baby strollers and wheelchairs to fill with food.

The city of Williamsburg has the highest poverty rate on the Peninsula, and one in five households in the city - 19.2 percent - earn less than $15,000 a year, according to the 2000 Census.

A recent study by a graduate of the College of William and Mary found that those people are many who use the Williamsburg food banks. Twenty-six percent of Williamsburg food bank patrons surveyed said they earn less than $10,000 a year. Another 22 percent earn between $10,000 and $14,999 annually.

About the same percentage of people reported that they experience hunger in Williamsburg as in the rest of the country, but they visit food banks more frequently, according to John Gibney, the W&M graduate who researched area food banks and their patrons last year for his senior honors thesis.

Gibney gave questionnaires to 100 patrons of three of the largest local food banks and compared the surveys to census figures on income in the Williamsburg area and national statistics about food bank users.

The affluence of this tourist and retirement community allows it to give away an impressive quantity and quality of food. The food comes from area supermarkets such as Ukrops and Farm Fresh. Several pantries also buy food from the Food Bank of the Virginia Peninsula.

There is so much food that people come from Newport News, Hampton, Charles City and King and Queen County to partake. The Grove ministry had to start turning away people from outside the area in January because the lines were so long that local residents had stopped coming.

Families walk away with fresh blueberries, bagels, Starbucks pastries, crabcakes, even some steak and cooked rotisserie chickens.

Kay Thorington especially appreciates the fresh lemons, limes and oranges, which her family uses to make their own juice. Thorington had to stop working 18 months ago because of back problems from an accident while working in a warehouse years ago.

She struggles to support herself and her 17-year-old son on $158 in workers' compensation and child support payments each week. She does get $91 a month in food stamps. Her boyfriend, who lives with them, gets $272 in food stamps and government relief, but she said it's not enough to sustain even himself, and he doesn't contribute to the family's support.

She and her son get most of their food from Newman's weekly visits to their trailer park in the Five Forks section of James City County.

"My child would starve if we had to live on what I made," Thorington said.

Thorington, like many of the food bank users Gibney surveyed, relies regularly on donated food. Gibney found that 63 percent of Williamsburg food bank users visited the charities almost every month, compared to just 20 percent of food bank users nationally. In Williamsburg the patrons are frequently black single mothers who are not on welfare and rely more on food banks, friends and relatives to supplement their food budgets.

They are people like Deborah Jackson, who stopped working as a nurse's aide when she began to go blind. Now she stretches her disability payments by accepting groceries each week from the Grove center. Jackson, 50, said she is able to cut her food bill in half by collecting frozen meats, vegetables and bread from the center's weekly bread line, where she also volunteers.

In most cases, the food banks have no restrictions on who gets food. Some ask that people come only once a month. Ellis's pantry off Merrimac Trail asks patrons for their age and size of household and then selects the groceries for them. At the weekly Bread Day in Grove, volunteers stack food on tables and let patrons choose. People must have referrals to get food from FISH in upper York County.

Churches run most of the pantries. In Grove, volunteers and patrons join hands and form a circle to pray. Ellis holds private sessions in her house with patrons who want spiritual guidance.

"People come and find life in a different way," Jackson said. "There is a relationship there."

Terry Bales, community services coordinator at the city's Blayton Building for the low-income elderly, said most of the residents there would probably get by without Newman's Tuesday food delivery - but just barely.

"They would have food, but with nothing left over. They wouldn't be eating the way they are now," she said.

With the food delivery, the Blayton residents enjoy an abundance that allows them to share, giving food to their families and cooking for each other. Many of them were poor all of their lives and remember going days without eating. Food is a way of expressing love in Southern culture, Bales said, and having extra food makes the residents feel rich.

Some food bank patrons in Williamsburg use the money they save on food to fill up their gas tanks. Other people can afford extras. One woman was relieved when Newman's truck showed up in her Highland Park neighborhood. She had two graduations the next day and wanted to get her hair done, she said.

"We're not in Ethiopia, where people are starving," said Newman, the director of A Gift From Ben, where many clients are repeat customers. "We're reducing their financial stress."

Jackson's savings allowed her to pay for her recent associate's degree in theology. Her mentally disabled daughter, who also visits the center's weekly bread line, saves her paychecks from a part-time job at Pizza Hut to buy a house.

Those are unusual cases, said Pat McCormick, director of the Grove outreach center. But she wishes there were more of them.

"Let's say I can save a lady 50 dollars a month, and she can take that 50 dollars and invest it in her future. I think that's great. At some point in time, that's going to take her to a place where she doesn't need this anymore," McCormick said. "Whatever it frees up the money for them to do, then that's a blessing."

Food banks ease stress, up comfort
For many in Williamsburg, donations provide a regular income supplement.
BY DAPHNE SASHIN AND PATTI ROSENBERG


Published July 4, 2004

WILLIAMSBURG -- The women stood inside the small, dark foyer of the Rev. Mary Ellis' food pantry, waiting for a bag of food to get them through the week.

There was Jeannie, a mother of two, dressed in a white T-shirt and tight jeans. She cradled a stray kitten and hoped for yogurt. No dairy products today, a volunteer told her, handing her a bag of meat, canned vegetables, doughnuts, white bread and corn chips.

Marian Barnett was thankful for free chicken. Barnett, who is 56, earns about $700 a month as a private-duty nurse. Most goes to pay for medications for her diabetes, her car payment, insurance and rent. Little is left to buy food for herself and her grandchildren.

"You really just have to skimp on everything. They got chicken so high, $8 a pack just for a family pack," she said. Her doctor tells her she's not supposed to eat starchy foods, but pasta is cheaper than chicken and "you've got to try to eat it."

The women are like many food bank patrons in the Williamsburg area: They earn too much for government help but not enough to make ends meet. Some are hungry, but most are needy. They do not face an immediate crisis but face difficult choices. Food pantries often provide a regular income supplement, filling the gap before hunger sets in.

"Can you get away with paying only 50 percent of your rent? Can you get away with paying 75 percent of the gas bill?" said Steve Terveer, director of the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula. "You can do that with your food. You have discretion over what you buy."

The Williamsburg area's food banks at once reflect the community's affluence and its underlying poverty. Other food banks in Virginia are struggling with their supplies because the economy is creating greater need but is also squeezing stores and restaurants to sell more food and give away less. But in Williamsburg, no matter how long the lines are, the food doesn't seem to run out at the largest pantries.

It's a picture tourists and residents of gated communities rarely see: 164 families passing through Thumper Newman's pantry at the James City Community Church and toting away more than 1,300 pounds of food. Across town at the Grove Christian Outreach Center in James City County, people form a line through the parking lot an hour before Bread Day begins and carry empty shopping bags, baby strollers and wheelchairs to fill with food.

The city of Williamsburg has the highest poverty rate on the Peninsula, and one in five households in the city - 19.2 percent - earn less than $15,000 a year, according to the 2000 Census.

A recent study by a graduate of the College of William and Mary found that those people are many who use the Williamsburg food banks. Twenty-six percent of Williamsburg food bank patrons surveyed said they earn less than $10,000 a year. Another 22 percent earn between $10,000 and $14,999 annually.

About the same percentage of people reported that they experience hunger in Williamsburg as in the rest of the country, but they visit food banks more frequently, according to John Gibney, the W&M graduate who researched area food banks and their patrons last year for his senior honors thesis.

Gibney gave questionnaires to 100 patrons of three of the largest local food banks and compared the surveys to census figures on income in the Williamsburg area and national statistics about food bank users.

The affluence of this tourist and retirement community allows it to give away an impressive quantity and quality of food. The food comes from area supermarkets such as Ukrops and Farm Fresh. Several pantries also buy food from the Food Bank of the Virginia Peninsula.

There is so much food that people come from Newport News, Hampton, Charles City and King and Queen County to partake. The Grove ministry had to start turning away people from outside the area in January because the lines were so long that local residents had stopped coming.

Families walk away with fresh blueberries, bagels, Starbucks pastries, crabcakes, even some steak and cooked rotisserie chickens.

Kay Thorington especially appreciates the fresh lemons, limes and oranges, which her family uses to make their own juice. Thorington had to stop working 18 months ago because of back problems from an accident while working in a warehouse years ago.

She struggles to support herself and her 17-year-old son on $158 in workers' compensation and child support payments each week. She does get $91 a month in food stamps. Her boyfriend, who lives with them, gets $272 in food stamps and government relief, but she said it's not enough to sustain even himself, and he doesn't contribute to the family's support.

She and her son get most of their food from Newman's weekly visits to their trailer park in the Five Forks section of James City County.

"My child would starve if we had to live on what I made," Thorington said.

Thorington, like many of the food bank users Gibney surveyed, relies regularly on donated food. Gibney found that 63 percent of Williamsburg food bank users visited the charities almost every month, compared to just 20 percent of food bank users nationally. In Williamsburg the patrons are frequently black single mothers who are not on welfare and rely more on food banks, friends and relatives to supplement their food budgets.

They are people like Deborah Jackson, who stopped working as a nurse's aide when she began to go blind. Now she stretches her disability payments by accepting groceries each week from the Grove center. Jackson, 50, said she is able to cut her food bill in half by collecting frozen meats, vegetables and bread from the center's weekly bread line, where she also volunteers.

In most cases, the food banks have no restrictions on who gets food. Some ask that people come only once a month. Ellis's pantry off Merrimac Trail asks patrons for their age and size of household and then selects the groceries for them. At the weekly Bread Day in Grove, volunteers stack food on tables and let patrons choose. People must have referrals to get food from FISH in upper York County.

Churches run most of the pantries. In Grove, volunteers and patrons join hands and form a circle to pray. Ellis holds private sessions in her house with patrons who want spiritual guidance.

"People come and find life in a different way," Jackson said. "There is a relationship there."

Terry Bales, community services coordinator at the city's Blayton Building for the low-income elderly, said most of the residents there would probably get by without Newman's Tuesday food delivery - but just barely.

"They would have food, but with nothing left over. They wouldn't be eating the way they are now," she said.

With the food delivery, the Blayton residents enjoy an abundance that allows them to share, giving food to their families and cooking for each other. Many of them were poor all of their lives and remember going days without eating. Food is a way of expressing love in Southern culture, Bales said, and having extra food makes the residents feel rich.

Some food bank patrons in Williamsburg use the money they save on food to fill up their gas tanks. Other people can afford extras. One woman was relieved when Newman's truck showed up in her Highland Park neighborhood. She had two graduations the next day and wanted to get her hair done, she said.

"We're not in Ethiopia, where people are starving," said Newman, the director of A Gift From Ben, where many clients are repeat customers. "We're reducing their financial stress."

Jackson's savings allowed her to pay for her recent associate's degree in theology. Her mentally disabled daughter, who also visits the center's weekly bread line, saves her paychecks from a part-time job at Pizza Hut to buy a house.

Those are unusual cases, said Pat McCormick, director of the Grove outreach center. But she wishes there were more of them.

"Let's say I can save a lady 50 dollars a month, and she can take that 50 dollars and invest it in her future. I think that's great. At some point in time, that's going to take her to a place where she doesn't need this anymore," McCormick said. "Whatever it frees up the money for them to do, then that's a blessing."

Caviar, steak on the menu at area food banks
Surprisingly fancy fare sometimes ends up in Williamsburg's donations. But clients seem to prefer downscale dishes.


BY PATTI ROSENBERG

Published July 4, 2004

Forget bologna sandwiches.

Some Williamsburg-area food bank patrons get gourmet fare beyond the budget of the average middle-class household. Caviar, $22 a pound steaks and loaves of sun-dried tomato and asiago focaccia have appeared.

It's not a scam, just an odd wrinkle created by the economics of operating food banks in an affluent area.

A Gift from Ben, the largest provider of free food for low-income people in the Williamsburg area, gets its supply from local upscale grocery stores that donate items approaching their sell dates. The food from Ukrop's, Fresh Market and Starbucks must be removed from the shelves anyway, so the stores have the choice of throwing it out or giving it to a good cause.

That means food bank patrons can pick up fancy fare, including expensive cuts of beef like Angus porterhouse and tenderloin steaks. Cooked rotisserie chickens, gourmet muffins, croissants and artisan breads are fairly common.

FISH is a food bank in upper York County that gets its donations primarily from churches and individuals. "Somebody brought us caviar once," remembers Bill Dickerson, president of FISH's board of directors. Probably well intentioned, but not the kind of snack most financially challenged people have developed a hankering for.

FISH requires that clients get a referral from the United Way, a church or some other social service organization to use its services. A Gift from Ben, however, does no screening and asks no questions. Clients are welcome to visit several times a week if they wish. A Gift from Ben even provides free grocery bags. Some of its patrons say they get all or most of their food there.

Could people who really aren't all that hard up be exploiting the situation, using the food bank as their grocery store?

Thumper Newman, who operates A Gift from Ben, says he doesn't see any evidence of that. It wouldn't be impossible, but he doesn't worry about it, he says.

"It is better to give and be deceived than not give and be mistaken," he says. "I know there's a small percentage that will take advantage of my program. That's probably the case in any charity anywhere."

He says his job is obtaining the food and then getting rid of it as quickly as he can. Trying to screen people would slow down the process and defeat that purpose, he says. He believes getting $30 to $50 worth of food free per visit makes a big difference in most clients' lives, allowing them to afford other necessities.

Steve Barth, associate director of the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula, said, "I'm a realist. When you give out something, there's going to be a line of people who are going to stand in line because they're going to get something for free."

On one recent afternoon, most patrons at A Gift from Ben didn't appear too interested in the more expensive or exotic products. People occasionally asked if they could get hot dogs or chicken or said they didn't eat pork. No one refused the steaks, but no one seemed to be specifically requesting them, either. Some clients asked what the exotic goods were, even though the packages were clearly labeled.

People were most vocal about the bread selection. The array spread out on the table included organic peasant rye, ciabatta, Portuguese multigrain and cinnamon raisin.

Many wanted to know if there was any white sandwich bread.

Explanation From The Church In Regards To "A Gift From Ben" Posted On The Church's WebsiteJCCC Discontinues Food Pantry, "A Gift From Ben"(07/03/04)

The James City Community Church Leadership (JCCC Leadership) wants the community to know the thought process involved in deciding to discontinue the joint venture we have had with the not for profit venture "A gift from Ben" or what we have called the "Food Pantry Ministry".

The JCCC Leadership has been in the process of planning for the future of our church. This process has involved revisiting our Mission, Vision, Purpose and Target. The process also included evaluating all of our ministries and preparing our budget.

In the process of evaluating our ministries we sought answers to the following questions:

• Is the Ministry Leader an active member of James City Community Church? (willing to abide by the membership covenant)

• Does the ministry fulfill one of the five purposes of the Church (worship, fellowship, discipleship, service and sharing the "good news")?

• Does the ministry help James City Community Church reach its target or does it hinder our ability to reach the target? (A good picture of our target would probably be your neighbor that may not attend church.)

• Is this the best use of the space and resources that God has given us?

Based on the answers to these questions we decided to change and refocus our efforts in a number of ministries. We hope to place more energy, effort, focus and money into our nursery, children and youth ministries. We have suspended the Coffeehouse and Food Pantry Ministry until each of the questions can be answered affirmatively.

The Life Development Team,
Sam and Myra Goins
Mike and Lynda Cooke
Lee and Doreen Deskins
Terry and Susan Patterson
Butch and Marilou Rock
Ryan and Shannon Scott
Casey Sloterbeck
Bruce and Maryann West

DEVON'S BIRTHDAY AND 4TH COOKOUT

Yesterday was a blessing day for our celebration! It was suppose to rain, but when I checked the weather early yesterday morn, it had been postponed to today and we were to have a warm (88F)clear day! Praise God! I ended up getting a little behind schedule, but when 1:00 rolled around, we were ready, for the most part. The guys were a great help in getting tables set up and chairs out. People didn't show until 2:00, but it was great timing. Tina brought her kids and niece to come for the celebration, Devon's birthday and to meet their soon to be puppy, Chrissy. They had a blast playing and loving on her. I know this is a good family for her. Then it was time for the pool so we could get Devon away and prepare his birthday gifts. Geoff decided to get in and be a kid for awhile with the other 'rugrats'.
Birthday Dunkings

Jon and Ricky helped me get Devon's scooter over to the deck and the rest followed, so we could sing happy birthday.
Devon with his scooter from Geoff and me

Although you can't see it in the picture, Devon is holding up a gold cross necklace that Tina and her family gave him (he was so proud, he wore it to church today)

Devon with his first teen Bible from Geoff and me (he took it with him to church and showed it off throughout)

Devon and a photo album from one of our homeless lady friends (now he can put his pictures of Christina, his puppy, in it)


Then it was off to play horseshoes. Ricky beat me pretty badly. But, I still say these horse shoes weigh more than any other I have played with before (ya just need an excuse.) While we were playing, Pastor Bill stopped by to wish the birthday boy a great 12th and give him a gift. Devon was so busy playing in the pool, it wasn't a long visit. I chatted with Pastor for some time about how great Keith, Devon's father, was doing and he told me the church was very proud of his hard efforts. (No Devon is not our child, which most people think that when they see him.)

Around 4:30 we started to eat. We tried to wait a little longer because we had 10 more people coming, but of course hungry people aren't always the most patient! We had a feast: hot dogs, hamburgers, pineaplle salsa, chips cukes, pasta salad, incredible potato salad (that Ron, another 'friend' of ours made) and tons of crabs! Throughout dinner, people still played horse shoes (yeah Mike beat Ricky twice) and we did kareoke (mostly Goff until later that evening.) It was great having many others join in on the kareoke, so I didn't feel so bad singing along as well. Actually I probably monopolized it, but it was a blast! I was impressed with Steve and his willingness to get up for several songs! I think all in all, people had a good time, especially since Jon and Ricky stuck around for almost the entire afternoon and evening. I was shocked when I caught Ricky singing along on some of the songs...haha "you won't catch me singing!"

It was about 11:30 when we wrapped it all up and totally worth the effort of everyone. It was such a blessing to relax, see the guys having fun, great company, great food and honor those who gave us our freedom.

My Birthday Plans for July 11th (37 long years old)

Geoff and I found out about a place in Hampton that takes you out for fishing. I haven't been fishing on a boat in many many years so I am really excited about the trip, (that was one of the great things about SC is because you were only a couple of hours away from Charleston and great sea fishing!) When we made the reservations, we also asked them about a discount for another trip. Some of the people we work with also enjoy fishing, but the prices to go out into the bay or ocean are too high for them to justify. Even though the trip we are going on is only $20 a person, that is $20 they could use for food (homeless people do have priorities.)But, I have found I feel bad about doing something they can't. Technically we have 16 people who would like to go, but that would be $320 and I can't afford that.

The Captain's assistant said he would talk to us when we come down for my birthday trip to see what maybe he could do. I just pray he would donate the fees so the guys could have a nice day of fun, sea and fishing.

4th of July

Well, things are busy here trying to get ready for the holiday weekend. The only downfall is that the 4th falls on a Sunday, so we are doing our celebration July 3rd. Just like last year, we are inviting the homeless to come to the house for swimming, kareoke, horseshoes and a cookout. Although I don't have a total count, it should be around 30 people.

We still have a lot of food to prepare, 3 acres to cut and get the pool cleaned. Also, I have 2 special cakes to make: one for Devon's birthday and one for my friend Susan and her husband's 5th anniversary. Time to get busy!

Correction

The coffee house is called "Uncommon Grounds."

A Gift From Ben

In the past I have spoken about Thumper and his food ministry, "A Gift From Ben", in Williamsburg. Recently I caught word that his ministry was being turn away from the church that sponsored him. This floored me because Thumper serves over 3500 lbs of food weekly to people who need assistance due to low pay wages, living in a weekly motel or those who are homeless. During church the other week, while I was taking notes from the Pastor's sermon, I stopped and wrote this for the papers instead. They finally printed it and yes I ended up with the answer of why they were turning his ministry away. Two of the reasons I can not say because it is personal (but not bad.)The other two reasons I find to be concerning: 1) the church feels it is not a ministry being for the efforts of Christ but more in the remembrance of Thumper's deceased son, Ben; 2) they want to focus more on future Christians between the ages of 25-40 who (as they say) are somewhat educated by putting efforts toward their coffee house "Common Ground." "Yes, I know there are people in Williamsburg who are in need of food, but it isn't focusing on the age group our mission's goal is about. On the days of the foodbank, people start lining up from the door and cover the parking lot at 1:00 PM. The foodbank doesn't open until 4:00 PM. With the parking lot full, nobody can get into the church." OK give me a break. I pray Thumper realizes, when people try to fight against your effort, it means you are doing something right. So, those of you in Williamsburg, rise up for Thumper and his efforts! Let's help him find another place for his food ministry. Write to the church JCC Church, 222 Monticello Ave, Wsmburg, VA 23185 or email Pastor Sam. Write to Virginia Gazette.

In Williamsburg there are several people, myself included, who spend their lives helping the poor and needy. We do this from our hearts and because of our love for God. Sadly, we are also either criticized, condemned, or rejected by the local community. This is a community that has "a church on every corner": churches that proclaim "God's love for the world". Why then would the community react this way to those of us who put that love into action? In my opinion, the members of these churches don't understand what God has done for them. Nor do they understand that we love and care for people who are in need specifically because of what God has done for us. Our actions shouldn't be challenged or hindered, because God loved us first and told us to pass His love along. For that reason, we love Him and share His love with others by helping them in their times of need. Those who try to keep us from helping people in need are challenging, hindering, and even neglecting God, not us. This may seem presumptuous, but, get out your Bibles and look up Matthew 25:34-46 and you will find the basis for this statement. There Jesus says, and I paraphrase, "If you helped others, you helped me. If you didn't help others, then you neglected me. If you helped others, welcome to heaven. What further motivation could you possibly need to assist our ministries and not hinder them?

Recently, Thumper and Heather Newman, our fellow laborers in Christ, were told that they needed to find a new location for their food distribution ministry "A Gift From Ben." Some local churches are contemplating providing a space for their ministry. But, I ask you, first of all, "Why is their home church turning them out?" And second, as Christians, "What's to consider? Why turn away one of God's ministries that's in need?" I Cor. 13:3,13 say, "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing...And now these three remain, faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." Three times a week, "A Gift From Ben" distributes copious amounts of food to people in need, including us, at times. So I ask you, "As a community of Christians, will you pray for God to open our collective hearts to help those in need? Will you pray for God to help us as a community to love one another as God loved us and gave Himself for us?" And if so, "Will you pray that God will lead our community to provide a place where people in need can find food (and love), assistance with housing (and love), guidance (and love), encouragement (and love)? Will you pray for God to teach you to love others?" God is calling. Will you answer? Or will you let the call roll over to "voice mail" and call back later with some excuse for why you didn't answer?