Shopping for Joy!

Last updated on: December 21, 2019 at 4:46 am by Billy Kangas

Shopping for Joy! 2019-12-03T15:50:53-04:00 Billy Kangas

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Photo by Chinh Le Duc

Food is my love language. Perhaps you know someone like me. I love to offer food, cook delicious meals for my family, and try out new recipes to share with others. I also love to get food! Nothing makes me feel more loved and appreciated than having a meal made for me.

A few years ago my family and I were going through a strained time financially. We had moved to Michigan to start a new business, but the doors hadn’t opened yet. We were living off basic necessities. It was hard, particularly at dinner time. I felt like I was unable to express the love I had for my family because I was so limited in the groceries I was able to give. We were surviving, but I’ll be honest, there was some joy missing in my life every time I prepared a meal.

One day a neighbor let me know they had some extra food and they wondered if I would like it. The answer, of course, was yes! (Remember, food is my love language). I picked up the box and when I got home I opened it. I will never forget that moment. The box was filled with special items: cheeses that were too expensive for me to buy, pretzel rolls, not just hamburger buns (a personal favorite of mine,) special greens like arugula. I started to cry.

Sometimes joy is so real you can taste it.

This experience has informed much of my work at Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti Michigan. For many of the clients that we serve in our food pantry, food has become utilitarian. The simple calculation is how many calories they can get for the cheapest price. One of my goals is to make the pantry experience the opposite of that. I hope that when a client comes through they are overwhelmed by the quality and variety of foods they can take home.

You can help make this a reality for those in need in your community.

Action for Today – Plan a Pantry Shopping Trip!

This is a great event for a family or a small group to do together. Get some people together, pick a grocery store, and go shopping! Pick your favorite items, chances are someone else will like them too. Food pantries appreciate donations all year round, but especially during the summer when food drives tend to drop off.

Make a shopping list
Most pantries accept all nonperishable, non-expired food, but here are some ideas to get you started:
Healthy options such as whole wheat, low sodium, and organic foods Name brands to help show dignity and give options
Peanut and other nut butters Canned tuna and chicken Your favorite breakfast cereal Spices
Non-food groceries like toiletries and cleaning supplies which are not eligible for food stamps (everyone needs toilet paper, dish soap, shaving kits, etc).
Your favorite granola or energy bars

Drop it off at your local food pantry
Make this part of your weekly shopping – buy something extra for the local pantry favorite item

Advent Action Guide

This is an entry in my Advent Action Guide which will be featured all Advent long.

If you’re interested in downloading a copy or signing up for daily emails for the rest of the season fill out the form below:

Sign up now and get the full guide in your inbox.

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

liturgical calendar

Uncategorized

Advent

Previous Post

December 20, 2019

20 ideas you can do every day that will help you practice joy in your own life.

Next Post

December 22, 2019 Peace on Earth

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Art Bible Books CCC Prayer Christmas Current Events Family Film Free Photo Fridays Humor hunger liturgical calendar liturgy Music Photos pope Prayer Prayerful Leader questions Quotes Review Saints Satire Scripture SYNOD SYNOD FOR THE FAMILY teaching Uncategorized video Weekly Round Up

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 April 2026 February 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 February 2025 January 2025 September 2024 June 2024 May 2024 February 2024 December 2023 August 2023 May 2023 February 2023 November 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 March 2022 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 September 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 August 2019 June 2019 May 2019 March 2019 January 2019 December 2018 August 2018 June 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 December 2017 November 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 December 2016 November 2016 February 2016 January 2016 November 2015 October 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 October 2008 August 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which animal did Jesus ride into Jerusalem on, fulfilling prophecy?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Ox Camel Horse Donkey