(Santa Ana, California) -- Ripe, juicy oranges waited to be washed in Templo Calvario's Santa Ana warehouse. A young volunteer cleaned each by hand as if he was going to eat the fruit himself. Yearning to be heard, he had received a healing taste of Pastor Abel Perez's listening ear the week before. Now well on the way to transformation, he wanted to use his time where it truly mattered.

Two hundred field hands, single parents, construction workers and other working poor find they all have some thing in common every Tuesday morning. No matter how hard they work, there is never enough life-sustaining food in their refrigerators or pantries. First time guests at Templo Calvario's grocery distribution shyly look down on the ground in shame, while those familiar with the system wait their turn in anticipation.

Each guest represents a family. A family like Maria's. One year ago this middle-aged woman was working a part time job. Her husband was unemployed. The eldest of four sons was threatening to drop out of high school and the family was on the verge of being evicted from their home. Week after week Maria would stand in line outside Templo Calvario's building. Caring volunteers would give her food and a kind word. Little by little the family began to see breakthrough. Her husband now has a stable job, the son will graduate this year and as for Maria, she is second in charge of Templo Calvario's warehouse! "She's my little trophy." Abel Perez proudly remarks. "Through OBI, lives are being changed literally. Transformation is happening!"

Located in a warehouse complex, this Hunger Strike Force (HSF) ministry partner and OBI center has a building which encompasses the church home of 7,500 people, one of the largest bilingual congregations on the west coast, as well as warehouse space and large walk-in refrigerator and freezer units. This busy ministry has been involved with various programs including HSF, Back-To-School, Bless-A-Child and Holiday of Hope for more than ten years! "OBI is a tremendous blessing," comments Abel who has been in his current position for almost five years. "This experience has caused me to be more sensitive and compassionate for the people's needs and not judge by external circumstances."

Approximately thirty volunteers help prepare for Tuesday's food distribution to individual families and Thursday and Friday's food pick up. Representatives from 35 churches and surrounding communities including San Diego, Los Angeles and Riverside pick up food for needy people in their neighborhoods. An average of 1,500 individuals are assisted through this network each month. "[HSF] gives us a tremendous tool to work with the community," Abel says. "If a person is cold, hungry and has no food in the fridge to feed their children, they need to be shown God's love in a tangible way."

Abel continued, "What ever your talent, treasure or time allowance is, invest it in the lives of others."

Take this young man's challenge & fight against hunger with Operation Blessing!

HSF is taking part in the Feinstein Foundation's annual $1 million challenge during March and April 2002. During this time, your generous contribution stretches further in helping to provide life necessities to disaster victims, fill a child's growling stomach, and let many struggling people know someone cares!

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Every day, the fleet of Hunger Strike Force trucks are on the road, delivering nutritious food and essential supplies to thousands facing hunger and poverty. With your help, we can continue to impact lives and give hope to those who need it most. Consider making an online donation today.

 

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