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The column today is one originally written in 1983, and was later included in my little book of column collections published the following year.

I first began this column writing endeavor back in 1970. My, my. Hope you enjoy this one:

In my little town, so peacefully nestled on an island just off the famed Outer Banks and only a bridge away from the mainland, a handful of caring citizens are doing something about helping others that bears telling.

Seems some of these very decent folks discovered that some of the elderly and shut-ins of the community were not always receiving adequate nutrition. So . . . After learning that one of the local fast food franchise restaurants was quite willing to donate all unused biscuits after eleven each morning, as well as throwing in sausage and ham from time to time, these island Samaritans began a little food distribution operation.

Well, they didn’t let it rest there. No way. They contacted one of the leading supermarkets on the island, and the proprietor most generously agreed to supply them with outdated baked goods, plus items from the deli.

These good souls now regularly pick up a list from the Social Services office which provides them information as to who would benefit most from their food distribution efforts.

In telling about the operation, one of their leaders eschews publicity. He freely states that he feels that it is they, the “distributors”, who benefit most. Perhaps. Yet, it can’t be denied that they are doing good works, and one suspects that the recipients are fully grateful to them.

This little tale, then, is about the good that can be wrought by a few people who have big hearts, and who are willing to take a little time out of their lives to minister to the needs of the less fortunate.

It’s also about some decent business people, who have demonstrated that they too know there’s more to life than the bottom line of a financial statement.

Such community action endeavors may well be taking place in your town. One hopes so. If not, it’s never too late to begin, and there is always, unfortunately, a need for such selfless service.

I think God loves us most when we show our love for others. We feel best about ourselves then, too.
APROPOS – “ Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

– Matthew 6:3