It’s hard to believe, but we are on the backside of summer! Teachers go back to school in less than three weeks and we’ll be back in it again. Fall and football won’t be far behind, and I can tell you I am ready! Grenada Rotary has big plans in the mix for socials and tailgates and fundraisers and service projects, so we’re in the planning mode-don’t want to be less than ready when it’s time to pull the trigger on service!
We enjoyed a wonderful program from some wonderful people last Monday. President Jenny Herron introduced Ms. Barbara Benson, Director of the Grenada Soup Kitchen, who in turn introduced Soup Kitchen founder the Rev. Cora Ford and the Thrift Shop director, Stephanie Thayer. These three ladies personify selfless service and were inspirational as they told us what they had done, what they were doing and what they planned to do. They seem to have a limitless source of energy and drive as they go about serving 500 meals a week, sheltering seven needy women and their families and providing needed supplies to the less fortunate in our community. This rather large operation requires a lot of planning and coordination. They are assisted in this endeavor by two computers that were donated to them by Guaranty Bank and Trust here in Grenada. Corporate citizenship is alive and well here, and voluntarism is the fuel that runs this service engine.
Grenada Rotary is planting a turnip garden to help supply their culinary needs through the winter. They serve meals on Mondays and Thursdays at lunch and dinner. They do all this through private donations and resourcing. What an amazing effort these ladies are spearheading! Cora Ford told us that the service project her then-church, Vincent United Methodist, undertook so many years ago has blossomed into this wonderful, far-reaching ministry! They have made it easy and financially worthwhile to donate to their project, having secured 501(c)(3) status for the Soup Kitchen, House of Hope and Thrift Store! When you are considering your charitable contributions this year you need look no farther than right here in Grenada! Your dollars will produce immediate, measurable and local results!
Speaking of produce, your Grenada Rotary Club ventured out into the verdant fields of our neighbor, Duck Hill, to the cornfield of Steven Stoker. Once again, Mr. Stoker generously permitted us to harvest some of his sweet corn for the use and benefit of the Grenada Soup Kitchen and All Saints House. Rotarians Jenny Herron and her husband, Jason Herron; Paul McCarley; Rodney Murphey and your humble scribe fell into 20 acres of sweet kernels and came out with more than 600 ears of the finest corn I’ve ever seen! It might or might not have been hot and humid, but doing things for others just seems to make you comfortable, and we were!
Stay tuned for developing activities and service projects from Grenada Rotary! Service Above Self!
