I started working at Redding Loaves and Fishes last January 2006. My family had moved from the Chico area that August in 2005. We found ourselves adjusting from living in a subdivision to living in a rural area with five acres and a whole lot of poison oak. Mind you, I had grown up in the area and I knew what a rare pleasure poison oak is, but that didn’t keep us from getting a full blown head to toe experience with the insidious plant. I was just finishing my last round of prednisone and feeling very sorry for disfigured self when I saw an article in the paper featuring Loaves and Fishes. I read how they had recently opened, their mission to serve the less fortunate and the need for volunteers. I had always wanted to volunteer but my hectic work schedule never allowed it. (Or... should I say I never made it a priority) I had the perfect opportunity now that we had moved and I was training in a new profession. I had extra time on my hands. 

At this point, I could say that God put it on my heart to volunteer. However, that would not be entirely accurate. There have only been a few times up to this point in my life where I can honestly say that God was very clear about a direction I should take. I am not saying that he hasn’t tried, I am embarrassed to admit that I apparently don’t hear well or more honestly I don’t always care to listen as it may not fit into my plan. Let’s just say that these directions were loud and clear enough for me say OK! OK!

I contacted the administrator, Chris S, who arranged for me to come by and pick up a volunteer packet. When I walked in, I thought to myself Wow, what a hole in the wall. How could they possibly serve anyone out of here? Little was I to know that God had big plans for that little hole in the wall and as usual what I can’t see he already knows. I started out working on the computers doing intake. I was immediately touched by the realness of everybody’s situation. I had not grown up in a rich family but I never went without what I needed, especially food and a loving family. What I quickly realized was the people coming in were no different than I was. It was really only a matter of a few paychecks and I could be in the same situation. As quick as the first day of volunteering, I realized what an awesome gift God had blessed me with. To have gone through life without ever experiencing truly helping others would have been such a great loss to me. As I came home every Tuesday night I would share with my kids and husband one or more touching stories and we all seemed to enjoy and appreciate our dinner more than usual. Eventually, I brought the kids down to work during their summer vacation. To say they really didn’t want to go would be an understatement. . Lucky for them, I really didn’t care. As I predicted, they loved every minute of it. Funny how our heavenly father often knows what is best for us just as we know what is best for our own children, even under protest, because of our love for them.

Over the past year I have helped with food drives, thank you letters, benefit dinners, spoke to community groups, and computer work. All I really remember are smiles, tears, heartfelt thanks, hugs from grateful children, making new interesting friends and praising Almighty God for taking the time for clear directions.

Kelly H.
Assistant Director
Redding Loaves and Fishes