First Posted: 12/20/2013
1. How long has Our Daily Bread been around?
Well, it all goes back to 1991, when we were under Church People for Change and Reconciliation. They formed that group in the 1970s right after the riots took place here. That group formed other things like Crime Services, the Samaritan House and the Literacy Council. We were the last place they started. From 1991 to 2006, they presided over Our Daily Bread. In 2006, Church People for Change and Reconciliation disbanded. They put a board in place to govern things.
2. How did you become the executive director?
I met the previous director, Aaron Griffith, at an Emmaus walk in Findlay. Turns out we were born on the same day, and he had been my neighbor for two years. I was ashamed to not have known him. Since I had another chance to get to know him, I started volunteering every chance I got. I come from a social worker background, so I would suggest different things to help. Finally, Aaron told me to join the board. One month later, I lost my job. Aaron announced he was resigning to become a pastor in 2010. I felt my heart pulled in that direction. Ten days later, Aaron died.
If everyone has a plan, and this was God’s plan for me, if I didn’t do it, I’d be like Jonah. I stewed on it. I was reading in Acts where the disciples were trying to get out the Gospel, but the people couldn’t hear their message due to the static in their lives of being hungry or needing shelter. I saw my name as one of the seven deacons, and I just couldn’t ignore it anymore.
3. Do you see an increase in volunteers and/or donations this time of year?
I see an up-tick in fiscal, monetary donations. The slowest time for monetary donations is in the summer. Most months, it costs me an average of $7,000 to run this place. I can’t stuff canned corn in the light fixture. I have to pay for the gas and electric, the water heater and water bill.
4. How many volunteers do you normally have?
We have as many as 35 different churches that volunteer here on a rotating basis every month. There are also a number of individuals who may come in to help out in one way or another.
5. How much of your expense is in food?
Well, the mind-blowing part of this is that so far we’ve served over 36,000 people this year, and when I add up how much I spent on food purchase, it was only about $2,000. We’ve had at least $45,000 of food donated to us.
6. Do you see any difference in the people who come through here to be served during the holidays?
I think like anyone else, they are more stressed. A lot of them have broken relationships and don’t have solid family connections or ties. The people who come in here have pulled together and become their own community that breaks bread together every day. We always have a food for thought where I share a Scripture. Those are poignant moments for people.
7. What’s your biggest need here?
Oh my. It would be wonderful to have some corporate sponsors. It would be great to have many things. It would be great to have a donation of coffee.
8. What would you say to the person who is thinking of volunteering but is nervous?
I think there’s an uncertainty as to what they’ll encounter here. We do have some people with mental health issues. Some people are unnerved by that, but people with mental health issues are just like everyone else. Underneath it all, they are still people, and there but for the grace of God, go I.