Good Deeds in Peoria
About five years ago a bank advertisement included the following message on a sign atop a taxi in Florida: “If your cup runneth over, spill a little.” Dated advice, some would say given today’s economic climate. But religious leaders, social psychologists, and money experts concur that giving is essential. “The more you give, the more you receive” is an often-quoted phrase that many take literally. No one should give just to get, but giving and sharing, when done with pure motives, often produce wealth beyond measure. Not necessarily monetary wealth, but a feeling of peacefulness and well-being far greater in value than financial assets.
Today’s economic situation invites creative approaches to this idea of giving and sharing. Money can work wonders in helping those in need, but the gift of hope or encouragement or the knowledge that others care is priceless. Many people have a generous heart, but their own financial resources may temporarily prohibit a cash gift. There are many alternatives to put into action. The following are examples here in our own community of ways to help. Perhaps they’ll inspire other ideas. The possibilities are many and require commitments not cash. Time, effort, and kind, generous spirits can produce wonderful outcomes.
This past holiday season, some 400 cards with hand-written messages were mailed to area home delivered meal recipients. Volunteers from the Women’s Civic Federation address the cards, which are donated from group members, and write a friendly message on each card. Most of the men and women receiving the cards are homebound or struggle with health concerns. Some receive little personal mail and even fewer visitors. And while volunteers realize a card is not life changing, they know it can bring holiday cheer that extends beyond the season.
A few recipients respond. One person wrote, “your cards have meant so much to me,” and another said, “so nice that you ladies think of others.” Cards are sent three times a year: spring, summer and during the holidays, and the women have been sending them for nine years. One thank you note read: “Great friends are few and far between; but very best friends are sometimes those you’ve never seen.” (To donate greeting cards, please contact Nita at 691-2167.)
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located at 504 Fulton Street in Peoria, nourishes both body and soul of its members and anyone else who is hungry. The church’s sandwich program is headed by Sharon (Guppy) Litchfield and she with her team of over 50 volunteers make and give out 800 to 1,000 sandwiches a day. No questions are asked of the people requesting sandwiches. Guppy, as she is affectionately called, says some of the folks are homeless, others may be struggling temporarily, and some are working minimum wage jobs and the lunch helps stretch their very limited food budget.
Much more than sandwiches are served at the church. One family donated 200 hams and 20 turkeys over the holidays for distribution to the needy. Handcrafted warm scarves were donated from well wishers in Florida. Stocking hats, gloves, sometimes diapers, and always hope and hospitality are given. Area schools and churches donate generously to help Guppy and her volunteers help those in need. During the cold weather, extra care is taken to provide a hot drink or hot soup with the sandwich. “It’s kind of amazing sometimes,” says Guppy, “how we’ll receive a donation and then shortly after we’ll have someone who needs exactly that item.” Call it coincidence, chance, or just how it works in “God’s kitchen,” which is how Guppy explains it.
Neighborhood House at 1020 S. Matthew Street in Peoria has been gifting seniors at Christmas time for over 20 years in their Santa For Seniors Program. Gifts are donated, primarily from UFS in Peoria, and then wrapped and delivered by volunteers. Some 900 seniors received gifts last December. The gifts are for those seniors who might otherwise be forgotten at Christmas time. One woman, Peggy, responded in part: “Thank you so much for the gifts. These will be the only ones I receive this year. I feel so alone and helpless and a gift from strangers is just what I needed to remind me that there are nice people out there who are good.”
The Rotary Club of Peoria North is a service club comprised of 180 members who are business, professional, and community leaders. Paula Bergstresser, Rotary Executive Director says membership includes both a financial and attendance commitment. This year marks the third year the group has given to Heart of Illinois Harvest. (Harvest is a not-for-profit food rescue program that transports surplus and donated food to local agencies for distribution to those in need. The program operates with one part-time paid staff person and some 60 dedicated volunteers.) The Rotary Rookies, those in their first year of membership, organized a food drive in January. Each Rookie is a captain for his or her team, this year there are 13 teams, and some friendly competition among the teams help entice members to bring in canned goods and other non-perishable food items so their team would “win” that week.
After three weeks, 2,694 pounds of food was donated. (The newspaper deadline did not allow for a final count.) “I think members surprised themselves at how well they did,” says Paula. “They know that times are especially hard right now. Originally the motto was ‘a ton of food for a ton of good,’but we have more than passed that goal.” Harvest and other agencies are grateful for the many, many boxes of food which allow them to help those in need throughout the community.
Sometimes a good deed begins with less than altruistic motives. Executive Director of Share Food, Bob Glenzinski, credits two of his volunteers with exemplary service. “They both began volunteering as a way of fulfilling their obligation for community service hours,” he explains. “But they’ve volunteered far beyond what was required of them. One man, Joe, helps clean two to three times a week, and another, Char, cooks for the volunteers when they are setting up during distribution week.”
“Share is a non-profit food-buying club that offers nutritious products at a reduced cost through a volunteer-run community based distribution system. Anyone can be a member of Share. There are no eligibility requirements or fees, just two hours of community service for each purchase.”
These are just a few of the many opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others. It’s in the sharing that resources are multiplied and blessings received.
