Giving Back in a Time of Need

During this time of uncertainty and confusion, it is important that we all remain a family. It’s important that we all have each other’s backs and do what we can, given the circumstances, and help one another make it through this difficult time. One of the ways that Laura Hummel, along with many community volunteers, are helping people during this time of need is providing food for them. They are taking special precautions in ensuring their safety along with the safety of the families. There are two different ways to help get food to the people of Ralls County. The first being the Center Community Food Pantry. This organization is on donation only. The Food Pantry is always accepting food and money donations. It is held on the second Thursday of every month from 4-6 p.m. Anyone in Ralls County is welcome to come. Currently they are serving 60 plus families. With the limit on food items in the grocery stores during this time, this past month has been difficult for The Food Pantry. In order to get enough food to help serve the people multiple trips have to be made.
The second way that Laura and her team of volunteers are helping during this time of need is with the Central Missouri Food Bank which provides food from the Food Bank in Columbia and then distributed to families who need it. This organization is held every third Thursday of the month from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Currently it is serving 80 plus families and like the Food Pantry it is welcome to anyone that lives in Ralls County. “Both of these have seen more of an increase of people needing help. I am thankful that God has given us the opportunity to help serve the people of our community.” -Laura Hummel.
Young people are able to get involved with giving back to their community by helping out with these organizations. The Food Pantry has become an amazing community service project for the National Honor Society members. Every month members go to help sort and distribute the food. Even though this past month has been difficult with the quarantine, members followed specific instructions that kept them safe while allowing them to still serve their community. “I genuinely just love working with the food drive. It was such a blessing to still be able to serve people, especially during this time. I think it’s so important to help each other out even with this virus happening. People still have needs during this time and need people to step up and help them out.” -Zoe Miller, NHS Member.
Another way that members of our community are giving back, is donating blood. This past Friday the Red Cross held a blood drive at the Center Baptist Church. Again, measures were taken to ensure that everyone who came to help was safe and was practicing Social Distancing while donating blood. There is a critical need for blood, and it is important that we still do our part in meeting the country’s increased need for blood during this scary time. “Donating blood is one of the little things that I can do to help others. It seems blood supplies are low most of the time, but I know that with the Coronavirus, some people who donate blood on a regular basis are not doing it because of fear of exposure. It’s important to know that extra precautions are being taken now by the Red Cross to ensure that added level of safety. I encourage everyone who is healthy and can donate blood to do so. It doesn’t take a lot of time, and in the end, it can help so much.” -Sandi Berry Kindergarten Teacher at Ralls County Elementary.
“I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to give back to our community especially during this time of need. I am blessed that I am healthy and able to donate blood to help others.” -Jace Barton, NHS Member.
Even though we are fearful during this time, it is important to remember that there are still people in need that need help. With special safety measures, we can still do our part in serving our community now more than ever.