Review and Giveaway: "How Shall We Feed Them? by Marty Girardier

A Practical Guide for Organizing a Food Pantry

Book Description (from Amazon)

"Brother, are you okay? Do you and your family have food?" a neighbor asked. Immediately, the man began to cry. Wiping away his tears, he said it had been days since they had food in the house and they had two boys. Overwhelmed, the neighbor asked if he would receive food from the church. The answer was yes, so they got in the car and went to the church's food pantry. They were able to load them up!

This is one of many stories of meeting the needs of hungry people you will find in this practical book. It provides everything an individual, church, or organization needs to establish or revitalize a food pantry, including specific, step-by-step instructions for: • Building a food pantry team • Choosing a place for the food pantry • Stocking and replenishing the shelves • Creating guidelines for food pantry recipients • Ministering to the food recipients

Also included are tear-out materials to help set up a food pantry, including a detailed action plan, check-off lists, sign-up sheets, food recipient information sheets, and contribution sign-up sheets.

Today more than ever, churches and Christian organizations need to meet the needs of increasing numbers of hungry people. Organizing a food pantry is a tangible way to do that. If you want to serve God by helping people in need, this inspiring book is for you.

Author Bio:

In 2004 Marty answered God's call and found the Cupboards for Christ ministry at her church to revitalize its food pany ministry.  The program tripled in size over the next three years.  In September 2005, the ripples of Hurrican Katrina were felt in her town of Chesapeake, Virginia, causing the number of food recipients to double in only one month.

In 2008, Marty felt called to step down as the Cupboards for Christ chairperson.  She sensed that God wanted her to pass the minstry on to others by writing this book.  She currently serves as the food pantry liason for her new church and former hosting church.

Marty and her husband, John, live in Chesapeake, Viriginia.  They have two grown sons, a grandson, and another grandchild on the way.

You can visit her at http://www.pantryofpraise.com/.

My Thoughts:

I was asked by Marty if I would read and review her book, "How Shall We Feed Them?"  I, of course, said yes because I know how many people are hurting these days with loss of work, income and are just struggling to get by.

I have been blessed by reading Marty's book.  She offers a practical doable plan for establishing, organizing and efficiently running a food pantry in any church to not only serve people but to serve God with your time, talent and money (donations).

One of favorite things abou this book is that at the end of each chapter, there are testimonies by people who have benefited from a food pantry.  Each and every story was so touching.

This is a great resource if your church wants to start a food ministry or maybe get the current one revitalized and up-to-date.  There are great tools in the back such as forms, check-off lists and guidelines.

You can purchase the book online by going to http://www.winepressbooks.com/, http://www.lifeway.com/, www. amazon.com, http://www.borders.com/, http://www.cokesbury.com/ and many other online bookstores.

Giveaway:

To one of my dear blog readers, I will be giving a copy of "How Shall We Feed Them".  I feel the need to pass this great resource on to another to be blessed by it as I was.

Ways to enter:

+1 Leave a comment telling me your absolute favorite food.

+1 Be a follower

+2 Blog about this giveaway and let me know that you have

That makes it possible to have 4 entries in this giveway!  Make sure you leave your email address so I can contact the winner.

The drawing will take place on Thursday, March 17th @ 12 pm EST.

I'm looking forward to hearing what your favorite foods are.   BTW, mine is pizza!