Thanksgiving Day! Do you remember last year Thanksgiving Day? All the preparations, activity and events? Think about the people who sat at your table (or you at theirs), whom you shared a meal and conversation with. Reflect on how you felt during this time of national celebration. How are you feeling today?

I write this appeal to you in the shadow and glowing embers of local and national devastation. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and drought have ravaged communities and families. These “natural” disasters have stolen the spirit of the people and robbed them of the fruits of their labor. The stability of a work and school life is under attack and yet civility and goodwill in the city prevails. It seems the effects of a groaning earth remind us of the value and commonality of all life. If you’ve not experienced it, you’ve read about it in the newspaper or have seen it on television. Differences diminish in the face of human tragedy. I believe hunger is also a tragedy that we all can relate to and do something about.

Each year I appeal to the community of faith to embrace hurting people by responding to their hunger through participation in the Boxes of Love Program. Star of Hope Ministries, Inc. provides turkeys and food boxes to families which allow them to eat for one week and is presented to them on or before Thanksgiving Day by our member churches. (These churches maintain relationships with the families they serve to insure avenues of empowerment are achieved.) Thanksgiving Day is difficult for many people who struggle to eat on a daily basis and is a particular challenge to the lonely and isolated. This food ministry is vital to the proclamation of the kingdom of God, and I am asking you to be a part of the blessing. Your gift will help us to meet the increasing numbers of people who are hungry and without the means or support to feed their families. Our ministry has been in the forefront of meeting this basic need of the poor in Paterson since 1913 and has earned the respect and trust of the community because of its sustained relief. It is your gift that continues to make this type of relief possible.

Thanksgiving Day evokes mixed emotions for most, if not all of us. Most of us are planning to eat a wonderful meal and enjoy a day of blessing with our loved ones. Many others quietly endure this day of blessing with personal suffering of limited contact and food. Star of Hope Ministries, Inc. is your opportunity to impact a person’s life for Christ. The question is whether you will take advantage of the opportunity. How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? “I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people” (Psalm 116:14). Please pray for the Lord’s leading in your response to feed hungry people this Thanksgiving Day.