Overwhelmed with gratitude.
By contributing author, Tanya Torp
Tanya and Mrs. Chestnut
I just had the honor of knocking on some doors in my neighborhood and telling neighbors that the Faith Feeds|Glean KY delivery arrived. Several neighbors came and left with bags of fresh, healthy, organic, and local squash, tomatoes, rhubarb, corn, squash, zucchini, and other veggies. We had the opportunity to chat and talk about what they’d like to see this become. Several were interested in canning classes and a neighborhood potluck featuring the veggies. But, the one interaction that touched me the most was with my neighbor across the street, Mrs. Chestnut. She is an elderly woman in a wheelchair and has arthritis so badly she can barely move her fingers. Her food stamps were cut down to $16 a month. She said “I just want to thank you. I was just wondering what I was going to eat. I don’t have enough food to fix a meal”.
There are people living in Lexington who do not have enough to eat while we take for granted our own circumstances. I am proud to be a Neighborhood Ambassador for Faith Feeds. This is creating community. We’ll come together and help one another all because we have the gift of food. I was able to connect with my neighbors and share the vision of “community versus charity”. The empowerment model is rockin’ all over the place! When I need to be out-of-town, Ms. Tina has decided to step up and help greet all of the neighbors that come for the veggies.
One day, a family left without veggies because they did not know what to do with the squash and did not think they could figure out a recipe. We are going to try hard to make sure we start having samples and plenty of copies of recipes on hand. One neighbor suggested that people make something from today’s veggies to share for next week so that everyone can try different recipes to see what they taste like. I LOVE my neighborhood! This is community.
Tanya Torp is a volunteer with Faith Feeds who lives within an impoverished neighborhood. Her and her husband, Christian, believe in the value of community and include their neighbors in their everyday lives. Read more about Tanya and her neighborhood in a Herald Leader article by Cheryl Truman, Faith Feeds provides food and helps build community
If you are interested in being a Neighborhood Ambassador for Faith Feeds, please contact us at [email protected] or 859-444-4769