“Nothing is freer than free.” Marianne Sjaarda is a crucial piece of the Hope Food Pantry, she’s the coordinator. She carries a passion for this ministry that is very evident, even after spending a short period of time with her. One of the first things she said was, “I’m glad you thought of us because what we do here is to try and seek justice.” Sjaarda told story after story of people who were affected by Hope Food Pantry and also how the agency has been affected by others. The very idea of this ministry, was brought on by Marianne experiencing poverty first hand. The Hope Food Pantry strives to give people hope and dignity.
The organization started when Sjaarda went to Mexico on a mission trip and was invited into a family’s home where she …show more content…
After a Thanksgiving service, Sjaarda noticed a Guatemalan woman sitting in the sanctuary. She approached the woman, who was praying for enough money for her rent. The woman was living with her children in a basement room with one shelf in the fridge and sharing a bathroom with men who lived around her in other rooms. She had three pancakes in her fridge and was paying $650 per month. Marianne helped her find a safer environment to raise her kids for less than what the woman was paying. The Hope Food Pantry seeks justice in all that they do while trying to maintain dignity and give people a hope for the future.
Hope Food Pantry also gives people hope by spreading the Gospel. Sjaarda spoke of many times where she has prayed with people who come and have helped them achieve their dreams. Along with all of the positives, comes some negatives. When asked what the biggest problem was, Sjaarda responded, “The biggest challenge is Christians who are bothered that we give this food away for nothing. They don’t see the mercy and grace.” To Marianne, her agency is the Gospel. It cannot be bought and it cannot be sold. The only other problem is people trying to cut in
The organization started when Sjaarda went to Mexico on a mission trip and was invited into a family’s home where she …show more content…
After a Thanksgiving service, Sjaarda noticed a Guatemalan woman sitting in the sanctuary. She approached the woman, who was praying for enough money for her rent. The woman was living with her children in a basement room with one shelf in the fridge and sharing a bathroom with men who lived around her in other rooms. She had three pancakes in her fridge and was paying $650 per month. Marianne helped her find a safer environment to raise her kids for less than what the woman was paying. The Hope Food Pantry seeks justice in all that they do while trying to maintain dignity and give people a hope for the future.
Hope Food Pantry also gives people hope by spreading the Gospel. Sjaarda spoke of many times where she has prayed with people who come and have helped them achieve their dreams. Along with all of the positives, comes some negatives. When asked what the biggest problem was, Sjaarda responded, “The biggest challenge is Christians who are bothered that we give this food away for nothing. They don’t see the mercy and grace.” To Marianne, her agency is the Gospel. It cannot be bought and it cannot be sold. The only other problem is people trying to cut in