y Effort UMC 2010 Last Update Monday, July 20 Church Map Web Designer The Supplemental Food Resource Center is located at: Effort United Methodist Church at Merwinsburg Road, PO Box 545, Effort, PA  18330.  This food pantry ministry is open on Saturdays from 10 am to 12 pm.  For additional information please contact the church office at (570) 629-1890.   All monetary donations are greatly appreciated, and should be written to Effort United Methodist Church with SFRC in the memo.  A Predestined Road Trip Once upon a year, there was a true story and it happened like this, four volunteers drove in the pick- up truck to obtain salvage food for our food pantry.  During this trip, God's hand showered us with his love.  The volunteers were Mark (current Director), Ann, Sue, and Gary.  These volunteers have been serving the Lord for many years and one thing we have found true is even when our day or week seems hopeless, a light shines on us that brings us to some glimpse of hope.  So while driving, Mark received a phone call on his cell phone.  It was a Kunkletown woman.  She said, "She received the solicitation letter today for the Supplemental Food Resource Center requesting a monetary donation. At that time, the reception was fuzzy and Mark handed Ann the cell phone so she could talk while he drove (a safe decision).  Ann told her that we were on a cell phone, and the reception was poor.  We lost the phone call and the number was restricted.  A few minutes later she called back and said, "I have been praying that God will somehow give us some food to eat."  The Kunkletown lady said, when I received this letter, I just had to call you because maybe God had answered my prayer.  Ann later learned while speaking with her that she and her husband were seniors who were homebound.  They had access to the Monroe Country Transit Authority, but the transit system only runs Monday through Friday, and all transportation is based upon scheduling an appointment.  Our food pantry is only open on Saturdays.   She wanted to know if we could bring any food to her home.  She was desperate, she said, her voice shaky.  Ann told her that this is not something we would normally do because of safety boundaries.  Gary  chimmed in and said, Ann, I'll go with you.  To be honest, we didn't know what to expect.  While others were unloading the truck today, Mark asked Ann and Gary to load up food to bring to her apartment.  Sue and Ann could see the smile on Mark's face at the time we were loading the food in the car.   The four of us while returning from the salvage warehouse knew the Lord was sending a message to us loud and clear.  THIS WOMAN IS WHY THIS MINISTRY EXISTS.  Having met them, we saw the boxes of medications and the oxygen with inhalers on the floor next to a large man who breathed heavily.  The wife soft, almost nervous, was very grateful.  She told us she tried for food stamps.  The office told her she made too much money with her spouse's retirement and her social security.  She gently swung open the refrigerator.  It was empty.  Only thing to be seen was a half empty bottle of ketchup.  As gently as she could whipser, "This is what the office's too much money looks like..empty stomachs and a small hope God would answer my prayers."   Gary and Ann left there clearly shooken up and contrite in Spirit with heartfelt compassion.  We didn't say much because emotions may have bubbled up.  Silence.  It was now time to bring Gary to his home residence because the day was complete.  Without rehearsal we both blurted out together that no matter how bad off we think we are-- were not.   Thank God we have the Supplemental Food Resource Center for this woman and for the many others we touch weekly. Respectfully submitted, AB