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monthly from the Northern Neck Food Bank. As one parishioner told us – “I help with Village
Harvest because we get to know the people we help. These folks become friends, not just a

number. We don’t get to meet all 191 people but the ones that are regulars ( that we meet
every month ) we visit with. It just makes me happy that we can help in some small way to
make things a little easier or better for them.”

Another parishioner added the religious element – “Jesus asks us to help people not as
fortunate as we are. He tells us to love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves. Everybody
will need some sort of help in their lives at some point. Helping people to have access to fresh
vegetables, fruit, meats and other necessities is important to me and our church. It is what

Jesus asks us to do.”

As the clients have increased so has the cost, now averaging about $1 per client per month. To
support the program St Peter’s participated in #Giving Tuesday after Thanksgiving to raise local
donations. We hoped to raise $500 on that day or about 3 months support. Actual donations
reach $1,010, a wonderful surprise.

Village Harvest is the best type of ministry in helping those outside the church who are dealing

with financial hardships as well as those inside the church who enjoy working one-on-one in
service to others. Moreover, Village Harvest has helped to strengthen ties with the community
we are charged to serve and with God who nourishes us.

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