Serving the Food shelf, seeing the impact

Every year when I was a student, our youth group would participate in something called Trick or Treat for the Food Shelf in my hometown. It was a simple idea, middle and high school students went door-to-door collecting food staples to help our local food shelf support families heading into the holiday season.

When I was in 6th grade, the concept was totally new to me. I remember feeling a little uneasy about ringing doorbells and asking for donations, even as the most intense extrovert you know. However, everything changed after the first house. Someone handed me a can of Dinty Moore beef stew and a small bag of rice, and suddenly I was hooked. I realized that what we were doing mattered. Someone in our community was going to be helped, and I got to be a part of that. That moment sparked something in me that’s never really gone away.

Years later, as a youth pastor, I was thrilled to share that same experience with our students. I love seeing our students live out their faith in practical ways. Our student get to meet needs, spread hope, and realize that they can make a difference right here in our community. And this year was no different. I watched students and even some leaders collect food for the very first time, and I could see that same wonder in their eyes, the same spark I felt all those years ago.

This year, our group collected over 800 pounds of food in just a few hours. Over the last three years since we started this event, we’ve gathered more than 3,000 pounds of food and partnered with several other local youth groups to expand the effort.

Beyond the numbers, what makes this event so meaningful is our partnership with Bountiful Baskets here in Chaska. The work they do is incredible, not just providing food, but doing it with love, respect, and dignity. Their approach reminds us that meeting physical needs is also about honoring the person behind the need.

Their executive director, Patti Sinykin, models that heart every time I talk with her or hear her speak at our church. I’m so grateful for Patti and her whole team and for the way they consistently care for people in our community.

While our student food collection has wrapped up for the year, the work of helping our neighbors continues. I’d encourage you to visit Bountiful Baskets’ website or stop by their building to see how you can get involved. Whether it’s through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, every small act of kindness helps feed both bodies and hearts.