Local needs

Today’s blog is written by SWH Leadership team member, Cynthia hair, about her fellow swh leadership team member, Jeff Wilson. He specializes in distributing swh food throughout the greater charlotte, NC area

“. . .my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”  Mr. Rogers

Let me introduce you to one of these helpers. His name is Jeff Wilson, and while he is on the Leadership Team for Servants with a Heart (SWH), he is also a volunteer. Jeff organizes local food distribution for SWH and also volunteers with several other organizations around the Charlotte area. It would be safe to say that he sees firsthand what is going on around Charlotte in terms of the hungry being fed. There are many places around town where hungry people can get a meal. One homeless person Jeff spoke with told him that in Charlotte, a person will never starve; he or she may be hungry for a day or so, but there is always somewhere to get food. 

One of the places Jeff distributes SWH food is the Galilee Refugee Settlement Center. Although it is officially closed now, there is a volunteer who sets up a food distribution station in the parking lot. During the first week of the pandemic back in March, this center served fewer than 30 people; now over 100 families are being fed. Many of these people work in the hotel industry and do not have jobs right now. Jeff’s heart was warmed by the person who set up the distribution on her own and kept the food coming, despite the fact that the center was closed.  

Second Harvest in Charlotte uses SWH food in its food backpack program, some of which might be distributed to Charlotte Mecklenburg School District. Currently over 18 schools there are using bus drivers and teacher’s assistants to help distribute food to families in their district. Not only does this get food to the people who need it, but this system has enabled bus drivers and other staff members to keep their jobs. In addition, many needy children receive SWH food through schools in Union and Anson counties via the nonprofit Food for Families, which hands out over 400 bags of food each week. Rock Hill schools receive SWH food as well.

Common Heart in Monroe, another organization that receives SWH food, has seen a huge increase in families that are in need.  Many who dropped off and donated food before the pandemic are now driving up to receive food themselves. Over 300 families now are being fed by Common Heart.   

“There is a silver lining,” comments Jeff.  He has been amazed at the goodness of people in general, stepping up to help others, which is something not often covered in the media. Besides volunteering at SWH, Jeff makes to-go bags that he and his family hand to homeless people in Charlotte. He also knows of others who, when ministries are shut down, have continued to help the homeless by preparing food in their own houses. 

During this season, SWH opened a new permanent packing location at Furniture Factory Outlet World in Waxhaw.  SWH Impact Days (when any volunteer is invited to pack with us) fill up as soon as they are posted on the SWH website. Jeff says that people want to help and be a part of something bigger than themselves. On our own, we can do a little, but when we come together, our impact multiplies.

When I told Jeff what an inspiration he is to me, he humbly said, “It’s not me, it’s the Holy Spirit in me… and my daughter got me going.”

Here are Cynthia and Jeff, on our SWH 20 millionth meal day!