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Three cheers for Peanut Butter

By Rev. Charles Moreland | November 4, 2007 |

Loaves and Fishes is seeking donations of peanut butter and large cans of vegetables to help sustain their efforts to provide meals to the needy in our community.

As a child, peanut butter mixed with honey was a much anticipated treat. Even now my mouth waters as I think of that delicious treat. Today, peanut butter is found in ice cream and candy, and remains a popular snack.

Our granddaughter, Madeline, invited us to be her guests at a grandparents day rally at her school in Evansville, IN. Our visit included a lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a red apple.

In a food basket prepared for some friends in need, I made sure there was an abundant supply of peanut butter; apart from being just plain good, it’s nutritional, economical and healthy. Packets of this “foods of the gods” is even found in the MREs (meals ready to eat) provided to our soldiers.

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to prepare and assure parent s that their children are receiving a nutritional meal or snack. Charlotte, mother of a 2nd grader, tells of one such experience with her daughter, Sara.

“Every day I make a peanut butter sandwich for my little girl to carry in her lunch box. Fed up with the same food, she asked ‘ why do you give me butter every day?’ My friends have all different kinds of nice food.”

Charlotte replied:

“Always thank God for what you have. Do you know that children in Darfur, Niger, and the democratic republic of the Congo are starving?”

That night on her knees for bedtime prayers, Sara, gave God a suggestion as to her problem with peanut butter and her mommy. She earnestly pleaded:

“Lord Jesus, please tell mommy to send the peanut butter to the children of Darfur and get me something else.”

At Loaves and Fishes, our local soup kitchen, meals are served to both children and adults, and it is surprising how much the little can eat. They often return for second helpings. especially for the pizza. They never leave hungry at Loaves and Fishes, even when the servers prepare stacks of peanut and jelly sandwiches.

Presently there is a dwindling supply of canned vegetables vegetables to serve on the Loaves and Fishes menu, but the soup kitchen will continue to feed the hungry and disadvantaged of our community with your help. You are invited to donate large jars of peanut butter and large cans of vegetables to Loaves and Fishes to help us in feeding the children of God. For more information, call 645-9020.

Today’s Prayer Focus: Those who are hungry.

About Rev. Charles Moreland

Rev. Charles Moreland, retired, has lived in Clarksville for seven years and holds great pride in his adopted city and its people. His one objection in Tennessee is the Hall law of taxes on dividends and savings. Charles served in the U.S. Army Chaplaincy from 1966-1986, retiring to serve as a United Methodist pastor near Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He serves on the Boards of Directors for the ARP, Roxy Theater and MCDP. Though retired, he is a regular speaker at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. His five grandchildren, ages two to thirteen years, live in Evansville, Indiana. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War and served in Germany and Korea while on active duty.

Email: MLPmoreland@aol.com

Sections: Issues, News, Opinion
Topics: Loaves and Fishes, peanut butter, prayer

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