NC Florida News

Providence United Methodist Church issued the following announcement on Feb. 07.

More than 450 people packed into Sun City Center United Methodist Church recently to remember those who go to bed hungry. They ate soup from paper bowls, then took home handmade bowls made by local potters – vessels they can display to remind them daily of the ongoing struggle so many endure.

This was the first year the church participated in the international Empty Bowls effort to shine a light on hunger. It was a way for the church to act as the hands and feet of Jesus.

“It’s not so much about a fancy meal, but every night somebody goes to bed with an empty bowl,” coordinator Joanie Franz said.

During a trip last year, Franz learned about Empty Bowls and wanted to bring it to her home church.

“I really want to specify how Christ was involved in every step of this. I was told, ‘you’ll never get the potters to make 400 bowls.’ I prayed before I went to ask,” she said.

Members of the Kings Point pottery club donated the clay, labor, and paint to create every bowl Franz had requested. The Sun City Potters made an additional 139 bowls.

More than 40 volunteers, including 25 from the community and not affiliated with the church, served and visited with those who attended. Every age group came and everyone felt the Lord’s presence.

“It was truly the hands and feet of Jesus,” Pastor Pam DeDea said.

Each participant paid $15 to attend and received a card telling them about the program and the issue of hunger. It also included cards with information about church services.

“They loved it. I was so impressed, most impressed with the happiness on the faces of the volunteers doing the serving,” Director of Ministries Pat Hill said.

“They all had custom-made aprons, and all dressed the same. They served and cleaned up and went table to table to make sure everyone was having an enjoyable time.”

Many of those fed with the more than $11,000 the event accrued don’t know Jesus.

“This allowed us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the people who might not ever see it and might not attend church,” DeDea said. “They are all treated with love and respect.”

Proceeds will go to the church’s food pantry and various programs it runs to feed hungry children in the surrounding community, some of which is seriously poverty-stricken.

Members of the Sun City Center Committee for Empty Bowls

“We work with five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school as well as a third country trailer park,” Hill said. “When the kids don’t get their school meal, we go to the park and feed them. During Christmas, we fed 75 children each day.”

The church also provided 1,000 school uniforms and shoes to community youngsters.

“We are closing the loop completely, and we have names and numbers of people we can follow up with for next year’s event,” Franz said. “It is the heart and soul of Jesus.”

Franz does a great job of not just taking food and leaving it. She builds relationships with people, and that is the most important thing she does, DeDea said.

The children don’t get peanut butter sandwiches. They get meat, cheese, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

Before the event, Franz said, she prayed hard and envisioned an empty room for the event. When she saw it filled with people, she prayed again.

“Jesus brings what you pray for,” she said. “I doubted, and I don’t know why.”

Original source can be found here.