Samantha Nelson – Powell, Wyoming … Members of the Powell Seventh-day Adventist Church have discussed, at recent board meetings, various ways to reach their community and make a positive difference in people’s lives. One way kept coming to everyone’s mind—community people in need of food. 

Volunteer Bud Boyles commented, “Powell has a poverty rate of around 14%. I believe we can help those who need it most and, at the same time, instill ways for them to become better equipped and more able to be self-sustainable through tools and literature. This is truly the Lord’s work that we will be doing for His people.” 

Even though there are other food pantries in town, the need seems greater than what is being provided. After much prayer and thoughtful planning, it was decided to open a food pantry at the church under the Feeding America program through the Food Bank of Wyoming, following the commission and conditional promise in Isaiah 58:6-8, “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.”

The Powell church application was approved in early March, and training for the director and volunteers was completed early last week. With Powell’s Food Pantry hours from 4-7 p.m. on the third and fourth Thursdays of each month starting April 20, its new Community Services and Food Pantry Director, Sharon Haun states, “We are excited to reach out to the community and help those in need in these trying times.”

Elton Tophoj, head elder and volunteer for the food pantry shared, “I am excited to be involved in the Powell Food Pantry for the good I expect it to do in Powell. Not only is there a need to assist families, but it also gives us an opportunity to witness for Jesus Christ.”

Please pray for the Powell Food Pantry and those it will be serving that they might see Jesus in and through the volunteers and be drawn to a closer relationship with Him as the church provides for their temporal needs.

—Samantha Nelson is from Cody Seventh-day Adventist Church in Wyoming. Photo by Samantha Nelson.