A few weeks ago, I attended a dinner hosted by Fry’s Food Stores, prepared by the St. Mary’s Food Bank Community Kitchen. I will forever be changed because of that night.

I walked in and buffet dishes were set up with an incredible variety of food. There was  Carne Asada Steak with Fajita Vegetables + Refried Black Beans, Truffled Steak + Sweet Potato Fries with Caramelized Onions, Crispy Pork Chop with Roasted Tomato + Creamed Spinach, Seared Salmon with Dill Butter + Potato Smashcakes, Fettuccini + Tomato Cream Sauce with Kale + Toasted Pine Nuts, Black Bean Street Cakes with Sautéed Squash and Verde Rice, Curry Coconut Chicken with Lemongrass Chutney + Toasted Rice + Green Beans, and Hummus Baked Chicken with Feta + Vegetable Orzo.

The feast before us did not match the modest settings we entered. I settled in expecting to hear how Fry’s contributes to St. Mary’s Food Bank.

I caught up with friends and enjoyed the meal.

We heard the beautiful story of how St. Mary’s Food Bank began. One man, with a vision, who acted on the needs he saw in the community. His local parish, St. Mary’s Basilica in downtown Phoenix, gave him $3,000 and an abandoned building where he was able to turn his dream into reality, and in gratitude, he named his food bank “St. Mary’s.” John van Hengel is rightly referred to as “the father of food banking” with it starting right here at St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix, Arizona. Did you know that? Food Banks started right here.

What I didn’t expect was to learn that our meals were prepared by people who face barriers to employment. These students have entered into a 12 week voluntary, unpaid program gain the skills to get jobs offering livable wages, benefits, and opportunities for advancement through hands-on food service training as well as classroom studies.

What I didn’t expect was to be moved to tears as this class of students entered the room, sharing their stories. How humbling is it to truly be in the presence of people who have strived to make ends meet for their families but have been unable to crawl out of the cycle of poverty. Their faces of determination will forever be etched in my heart.

How often is it easier to stay comfortable and give to charities while forgetting the faces of God’s children that need food or shelter? Giving is a beautiful, necessary thing, but may I encourage you to listen to their stories so that your hearts may be spurred onward to give more deeply and more frequently?

“When someone steals another’s clothes, we call them a thief. Should we not give the same name to one who could clothe the naked and does not? The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat unused in your closet belongs to the one who needs it; the shoes rotting in your closet belong to the one who has no shoes; the money which you hoard up belongs to the poor.”

― Basil the Great

Fry’s Food Stores had donated the food to prepare that evening. Their new line of Prep+Pared meals were made by the students standing before me. To have a meal prepared for you by hands that need your help is a very moving experience.

So, next time you see a food bank donation opportunity, would you join me in giving more than makes you comfortable?

Thank you, friends!