Toward the end of each month our community folks find their funds running pretty low. If you are receiving SSI, which is an entitlment program especially geared for folks suffering with some mental disability, you might be living off of $585 per month. If one deducts rent, utlities, food and clothing, you end up with about $100 to spent for the entire month. Well can you can imagine what that must be like? So the church helps where it can. The last Thursday of each month folks come together for a 'cookout' on the lawn, weather permitting. A large amount of hamburgers and hot dogs are grilled up, bake beans and some type potato or macaroni salad are served. Punch and dessert are always a staple on those days.

Here is the beauty..it's not about feeding, not about hunger, not about handouts. It is about community! There is something rich and sacred about sitting at round tables on an inner city church lawn, munching down on a good burger and sitting next to Brenda who gives you the gory details of her most recent crisis or a Charles who loves to talk about a fishing trip with his good buddy "two years ago". Then there is Wadell, so intoxicated that he can hardly stand up to get his food but he looks you in the eye and says, "I really love you guys". Now that table is not just the kitchen table but it becomes the Lord's Table. It is where life happens and it is good.