Carolyn and Mike Meade: sharing the blessings of MLM’s Food Pantry.

Sharing the Blessing: Those Who Receive, Also Give

MLM’s efforts to help the homeless and needy of Kansas City often has unexpected ramifications. Carolyn and Mike Meade are good examples.

The Kansas City couple are hard working, proud people who despite a lifetime of steady jobs have experienced tough times. The biggest factor is that after 34 years of employment, Mike’s back finally gave out. Since surgery for a ruptured disc, he is barely able to walk, let alone work. A diabetic, Carolyn is limited in her movement.

The couple also provides a home for one of their three granddaughters. After the girls’ father was fatally wounded as an innocent bystander during a drive-by shooting, the children’s mother has continued to work. Her salary and Mike’s Social Security are hard pressed to sustain the eight of them, however.

A big help comes in the form of Metro Lutheran Ministry, its food pantry and monthly food distribution. Knowing that in today’s economy the lines can be long, Mike and Carolyn often arrive for the 10 a.m. program at 5 a.m.!

But here’s where the story takes a special turn. Mike and Carolyn are coming to MLM for more than food for themselves. Despite their own hardships, the couple makes a special effort to share the blessings by making sure that an elderly shut-in who lives near their home or other families don’t go without either.

“We make sure that others who can’t get to MLM get some food,” Mike explained. “It’s like President Obama said: share the wealth!”

The couple does more. Naturally outgoing, Mike helps at the food distributions and the couple is- also active volunteering at other locations, including their church and with Harvesters. Because of this involvement, they are especially aware of recent increases in demand.

“When we started three years ago, there weren’t that many people,” Carolyn said. “Now there’s more than 400 at MLM on one day. The line goes from the garage door to the end of the block and around the corner.”

Mike admits that accepting gifts was something that took some getting used to, but both he and Carolyn agree that making ends meet would be impossible without the food. It makes them glad to volunteer their time, something they’re been doing for nearly five years.

“It’s our way of paying back,” Mike said. “I know that food really helps us, so if we can help others then that’s our way of saying thanks.”