A Winter Holiday 2023 Year End Message from Our Executive Director
Lately, I’ve been thinking about the way our Winter holidays are about how small things bring great hope –
*a small vial of oil lasts eight days and nights,
*the birth of a small babe changes the world,
*a few more minutes of sun breaks up the gloom,
*a small amount of first fruits reminds us of the whole harvest.
And, Toco Hills Community Alliance, is
a small agency,
with a small staff,
located in a small building,
but from which comes great
HOPE.
As you may have seen on social media a few weeks ago, we have given away over 1 million pounds of free groceries to low and no income families this year. But, what we do is about so much more than food.
**To the refugee family who makes their way from a country of turmoil, looking for a better life, even while facing discrimination who work more than one job, but just can’t make enough to cover their family’s needs, when they come to THCA and are greeted warmly, that 45 pound box of food that goes in their car is more than food, it is hope for that better days are coming.
**To the senior citizens with health issues that have forced them into retirement and that require a healthy diet, whose monthly checks aren’t enough to afford the more expensive nutritious food, the ten plus pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables they receive at THCA is not just food, but hope for a longer, more active life.
**To the unhoused people dealing with mental illness who can’t afford their medication, who are often avoided by others as they go down the road who are given a hot meal and place the picnic table when they arrive at THCA, the bag full of easy open, easy to prepare foods that they leave with isn’t just food, it’s hope that someone cares.
By providing access to good, healthy food to now over 600 families every week, we are taking worry off the plate and putting food on it, we are strengthening our neighborhood, and we are making a positive impact in our part of the world.
And, that is what you are doing when you support us. The ONLY way our small agency with a small staff in a small building can do what we do is with the support of our community, and that includes YOU.
As we prepare to wind down our holiday celebrations and the year 2023, I want to thank you so much for being a partner in hope.
- Hope for Juan and his two daughters that they will grow strong
- Hope for senior citizens Michael and Mary that they stay healthy
- Hope for unhoused friends Steve and Amy that they will be able to live in peace and see another day
- Hope for a better future ahead for all of us, with much less fear, where we all have enough, we all are seen and heard and loved.
Because of your support over all these 25 years of Toco Hills Community, you have made it so this small agency with a small staff in a small building has become a place of great hope and great positive impact right in our own neighborhood, yet shining forth in a weary world more in need of hope than ever.
In hope for 2024 and for the next 25 years of THCA,
Rev. Dr. Lisa Heilig, Executive Director
COMING VERY SOON –
New, updated website
to launch into 2024 and
into our next 25 years of
Neighbors Helping Neighbors!
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