Co-coordinator Kristen Holt describes the Brown Bag Ministry as a service ministry that works at “meeting the face of Jesus by being called to serve the least among us.” On their service Saturdays, volunteers work in groups, each making 50 lunches for residents in the Morehead Hills or JJ Henderson Apartment complexes. These are subsidized housing units for seniors and disabled residents of Durham who haven’t been able to live independently. “We are there to be present and provide a meal,” says Kristen. Volunteers make the lunches and then caravan to the buildings to hand out the lunches on those Saturdays. The commitment is from 9:00 am until about noon on these days.
Did you know that nationwide, according to Feeding America, 1 out of every 14 seniors age 60 and older was food insecure in 2021? Families or volunteer groups bring lunch supplies on volunteer Saturdays, and the handout for volunteers is here if you’d like to see what people are asked to bring. They work for about an hour on lunch assembly and include a scripture or uplifting note in the lunch bag. “The residents love the notes,” Kristen says, “and sometimes, when you go through the hallways, some residents have the notes taped to their doors.” However, this is more than just a lunch for these residents. It is an act of charity to provide lunch, but it is more about the presence of the volunteers who remind the residents they are seen and matter to others. The residents look forward to the visits, and Kristen notes, “They remember who comes and who they come with. It’s the little faces of the children volunteering with their families, and the presence of all the volunteers showing they care that is memorable.”
There are no age limits for volunteers, but the youngest come with their families. Kristen recalls the youngest volunteer was four and came with their family to help. The ministry allows for opportunities for all ages and different groups within St. Francis. They have had the preschool ‘Little Francis Cares’ service effort decorate the lunch bags used. “This sends a little message of cheer with the food,” says Kristen. They have also had about 20 students from the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) at The Franciscan School help make and deliver lunches, and many high school students have volunteered to meet their service hours. “Families, though, are our target volunteer audience,” says Kristen. “I think it’s nice to gather family and friends to come together in a worthwhile effort for others. Standing around a table is fun doing ‘assembly line-style’ sandwich-making. It’s meaningful; I have done it many times with friends. We often go to lunch afterward and reflect on the day’s meaning.”
When asked ‘how to get involved,’ Kristen reiterates the ‘Ministry Fair’ theme for the year: ‘Do one thing.’ She says, “Try it, and if you like it, volunteer again. If it’s ‘not your jam,’ you can find another option within the Brown Bag Ministry, decorating bags or writing the lunch notes, or choose another parish ministry.” She suggests, “Look through the available dates at Morehead Hills or JJ Henderson Apartments, and if you have an open date, sign up and try it. If you want to do one Saturday, that’s great; if you want to join us monthly, that’s excellent.” She says it’s also a great ‘team building,’ ‘family service,’ or ‘community building’ opportunity. “Even other ministries here could team build by volunteering one Saturday together,” she adds.
Brown Bag provides about 600 lunches each month but does so much more. Assuring that those who are marginalized and have few opportunities to access the larger Durham community are met where they are and made to feel appreciated and important is the true calling of this ministry. Your family can make a difference by choosing a Saturday to spend a little time in service. As many volunteers find out, those who benefit from that service are not just those receiving the lunches; those who serve also get the blessing of being seen and appreciated for what they do for others!