You can see it in her eyes—a deep sense of hopelessness. She is hungry, alone, and frightened. The impact of neglect on her young life has created a darkness we would hope no child would ever experience. And yet, it does—sometimes as close as next door. Did you know that North Carolina ranks 10th in the nation in food insecurity? One out of every five children in North Carolina lives with food insecurity. They are hungry.
Baptist Children’s Homes is a place where tummies and hearts are fed every day. It is not unusual for children to hoard their food when they first come into care. No matter what time of day they arrive, they each have something in common. They have been through incredible trauma and they are hungry. Peanut butter sandwiches and milk are ready and waiting.
Factors such as the harsh realities of poverty, abuse, trafficking, drug addictions, and hunger all impact the child’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual growth.
A child who is ignored stops talking. A child robbed of emotions won’t hug or allow themselves to be hugged. A child who never plays with toys won’t learn as quickly. A child betrayed will find it difficult to trust.
All children deserve to be loved, to be held, to feel safe. They each deserve to become all God would intend. Often when I ask a child what they like most about BCH, they respond by saying:
“I am safe.”
“I like the food.”
“I like my cottage parents, they really care about us.”
A lot of hope and healing takes place around our dining room table. When I see our cottage parents in the various cottages interact with the children in care, I see the children not only receiving nourishing meals, but meals shared with an extra helping of love, hope, and healing.
You see, when gathered around the table:
When a child speaks—we listen.
When a child dreams—we believe with them.
When a child hurts—we hold them close and pray for healing.
When a child laughs—we laugh and smile with them, celebrating their moment.
Our cottage parents not only create food for the tummies but food for the heart. It may come in the form of soup, chicken casserole, or chocolate chip cookies—whatever it takes to let each child know they are loved, safe, and cared for each and every day.
Thank you for providing food for the hungry and for being a voice for the voiceless and hope for the hopeless. Thank you for embracing the opportunity to change lives today.
Today, you gave a child a warm breakfast.
Today, you gave a child warm water for their shower.
Today, you helped a child learn to read.
Today, you wiped a child’s tears of hurt and loneliness.
Today, you listened to a child.
Today, you put a band-aid on the knee of a child.
Today, you bought a child a pair of shoes.
Today, you helped a child believe in their dreams.
Today, you gave a child a warm bed where they could find rest and peace.
Today, you gave a child a cone of ice cream.
Today, you baked a cake for a child’s first birthday party.
Today, you fixed three meals for 10 hungry teenagers.
Today, you attended a child’s ball game (cheering for them loudly).
Today, you shared the love of Jesus with a child.
Today, God used your gifts of love to change lives.
I have often heard the saying, “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” I am grateful to our partners in ministry—you and all those who put their faith into action. Feeding the thousands of people who walk through our doors could be a daunting task. But it is not. Why? Because of you, the Church.
We are on mission together.
Ways You Can Help with Our Food Drive:
Set aside one can of food each week through the month of April and then bring it to your Association and put your cans of love with all the other cans of love.
Share the need with your church, Sunday School class, your business, and your family and friends.
Identify food producers in your area and ask them to help. Example: pickles, sweet potatoes, spices, etc.
Identify food distributors in your area and ask them to help.
Identify meat producers in your area and ask them to help.
Food Cards enable us to provide the perishables we need.
Spread the word, share the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child.
Help us fill their tummies and their hearts.
And remember, always be kinder than necessary for everyone is fighting some kind of battle.
Galatians 6:9 reads: “Let us not grow weary in doing good.”
Thank you for walking this journey with us. You help to lighten the load as we journey, together!
Written by Brenda B. Gray, Executive Vice President, Development & Communications