Shine Your Light Wednesdays: St. Benedict the Moor Center

When we had the opportunity to take a missions trip to New York City a couple of years ago, we got to work with some pretty awesome groups of people.  We were able to volunteer at St. Benedict the Moor Center more than once, and it led to some great times, getting to know some of the people who worked here. (TeShawn & Shawndra, LaTonya, & Tamika)

 

Bill is here with his kids; he was one of the head chefs.  

Taking our kids on this trip was an added blessing; Jacob was able to help so much with everything....

Ruby here loved Jaden.

St. Benedict the Moor Center is located in the South Bronx of New York City.

They are a group of people who help to feed the hungry. They work with people in the South Bronx who are either homeless or just simply can’t afford to buy food and also with those who have previous drug addictions; this area of the Bronx, known as the Mott Haven section, has many people who are suffering from HIV/AIDS. St. Benedict’s operates a food pantry, soup kitchen, community garden, etc. Many of the individuals who came into the food pantry to receive ONE bag of food for the week, had large families, including in-laws, children, grandchildren, etc., to feed.

While there, we took turns helping to organize and hand out bags of food in the food pantry, as well as preparing and giving out food in the soup kitchen.  

We also were able to explore their community garden, which was just full of all sorts of things; it was really beautiful, like a little oasis right smack dab in the middle of the Bronx.  

I still remember sitting out there in that garden with Cassandra, just getting to know her;

there was Spanish music playing all around us from the apartment buildings....and the city was just alive with people everywhere.

At one point, the truck brought a load of fresh fruit, bananas, which had to be handed out right away; (this is Dan and Howie, who we thought was Martin Lawrence's look-alike.)

So we ended up going up and down the street, handing these bananas to whoever would take them, even going out into the street to hand them to people in their cars.  It was such an awesome experience we had with St. Benedict.  (Bill's son getting his groove on.)  :)

If you would like to volunteer with them, they are located at 283 Saint Anns Ave, Bronx, NY.  Their phone number is (718) 665-9693‎.  Just give them a call, and set up a time to go help; they will surely appreciate any help that you can give.  We are hoping to head up there, possibly, if we get to go into the city at Christmas.  It's an experience that will change your world....ultimately, for the better!:)  Just give a day, and be amazed at the work it can do in your heart.  You'll never be the same.

If you'd like to share about this opportunity on your blog, or if you'd like to share a ministry/volunteer opportunity that has touched your heart, post about it on your blog; then come back here to sign Mr. Linky, so we can all read about it....be sure to link back to Real Heart Prints in your post.  Most of all, shine your light!:)