Every first Friday of the month, Roy Morse ties on an apron and pulls on white plastic gloves. With a smile, nod or friendly hello, he dishes out a hearty dinner—like pasta, enchilada casserole, ham or beef, salad, vegetables and dessert—to hungry families staying at the San Jose Family Consortium, a shelter providing transitional housing for up to 90 days.
Roy and his fellow volunteers from the Outreach Meal Team of St. James Anglican Church in San Jose, California, believe putting nutritious food in a person’s stomach is a powerful way to show love. Roy served meals at the shelter years before while attending another church, and felt St. James could help satiate this need.
“My personal ministry has always been helping people,” he says. “If my wife and I meet people who are hungry or need shelter, we bring them home and help them as much as we can. The shelter needed people to help feed them, and I feel strongly about helping those who are less fortunate.”
When Roy presented his plan to the congregation, 32 members quickly agreed to help. Even those who couldn’t physically serve meals at the shelter chipped in money and prayers. Now, three to six people from a team of 15 sign up to serve each month, both cooking the food and serving it to 70 to 100 hungry people who arrive at the dining hall at 5 p.m. sharp. The volunteers treasure their brief interactions with the families.
“People are so thankful,” Roy says. “To see the glow on their faces when they see that somebody will help and serve them, making sure they walk away with full bellies, is so heartwarming. It makes it all worthwhile.”
Musicians from the church worship team have begun coming to play for the families while they eat their food. And several volunteers from the Outreach Meal Team also donate their time to tutoring or art classes for the shelter’s children. Roy hopes to expand the outreach by making sandwiches and taking them to another shelter twice a month.
“The size of your church really doesn’t matter; one or two people can make a difference,” he says. “If you have a calling, don’t be afraid to go out and find a way to show you care.”
