Day #102: Give with Urban Ministry in Fayetteville, NC

Our oldest daughter said Urban Ministry was one of her favorite places to volunteer. The more hands-on our volunteering projects are, the more our girls love it.

Urban Ministry's heart is for their local community. They (1) teach adults reading, writing and math, (2) provide food and clothing, (3) mentor youth, and (4) organize home repairs - particularly for women over age 55.

The four of us organized shelving for storing cans, packed a dozen food boxes, sorted hygiene items, and created snack packs for students.

After we got in the car, Stephanie & I made the observation that we personally don't eat any of the foods that we packed - canned soup, instant mashed potatoes, sugary drinks, and packaged cookies. Processed foods are generally cheaper than whole foods (real butter and milk, fresh produce and breads, etc.) so the poor tend to eat lower quality meals...which, in turn, can contribute to illness, obesity, and lower test scores for kids.

What do you think the solution is to closing the socioeconomic gap when it comes to food quality? (We'll be sharing our ideas soon).

Our family spent 2011 traveling the USA in an RV, striving to intentionally "give every day" for the glory of God. We interviewed CEOs of nonprofits and served alongside over 40 organizations and churches.

Our Pledge

We hereby pledge:

- To spend intimate, quantity time with our family.
- To actively help the poor, the sick, the lonely, and the helpless.
- To value, protect, and advocate for children.
- To de-emphasize the importance of “stuff” in our lives.
- To bring publicity to good causes and good people.
- To live with intentionality, as if this year was our very last.
- To observe the needs in our country/community – and then do something about them.
- To give – every day.