Several posts ago, I wrote about Pam Altmeyer, a wonderful advocate for the malnourished and underfed, who recently passed away. The post included the story of our meeting and, eventually, our friendship. All that was based on a hug I received the first time I met Pam. An elementary school friend of mine, who is an avid reader of TBTB, wrote me a kind note reminding me that Pam undoubtedly received the best hug ever from the LORD upon her arrival in heaven. I can only imagine the hug she got from God as she selflessly served marginalized sections of the population through her leadership of the Gleaner’s Food Bank here in Indianapolis.
It occurred to me that many people may not realize that the food bank was built on strong biblical principles. Back in the days of the Old Testament, farmers and others who grew crops were commanded to leave a portion of their produce along the edges of their fields when harvesting. This amounted to approximately 10% of the total yield of the fields and the express purpose of this act was to provide for the poor and for those who didn’t have any land of their own. Those who were hungry or needed something to eat were free to go through the fields and collect what they could to sustain themselves. The process was called “gleaning.” It was the collection, bit by bit, of leftovers for those in need.
There is even a Bible story in Matthew about Jesus and His disciples collecting grain on the Sabbath, much to the dismay of the Pharisees. Jesus and His apostles were taking grain from land that didn’t belong to them – on the Sabbath! So what were the Pharisees worked up about? Working on the Sabbath or gleaning? We are left to ponder that interaction and confrontation.
What is most interesting was the mindset of the farmers in that day. Yes, they were commanded to leave a portion of the crops unharvested but they didn’t consider it a punishment or anything they were against doing. Rather, they looked at the harvest as a blessing from God and they were pleased to leave a portion of their crops for those less fortunate. It was win for everyone involved. The farmers were blessed as were those who had the dignity of working the fields after the harvest to collect food for their own consumption.
This is so much different from our viewpoint in the modern world. We want every single thing that we can get our hands on. But this wasn’t Pam Altmeyer’s position on life. She became the first President of Gleaner’s Food Bank, dedicated to providing food for the poor, with dignity. Her position was a great departure from the accepted norms. If there was more supply than there was demand, the food would be wasted and she just couldn’t see that happening. Rather the food going to waste, she wanted to collect it for the poor. And the community responded beyond her wildest expectations. Gleaner’s was living up to its lofty name.
Another example of this community sharing of food happened with our career transition ministry that started more than 25 years ago. Panera Bread would collect their unsold product each day and donate it to local ministries. Our meetings were held on Tuesdays and Thursdays so each Monday and Wednesday evening, at closing, we would arrive at the local Panera to receive, with appreciation, all their unsold bakery goods for distribution to those who attended our career transition meetings. It was unnecessary for us to buy anything. We were recipients of Panera’s kindness and commitment to give back to the community. It was a wonderful testimony for Christ. They helped us for years! And it eased the burden on families who were struggling with the financial effects of job loss or transition.
Our verse for tonight comes from the Old Testament book of Leviticus, one of the five books written by Moses. This book contains the command about harvesting and leaving a portion of the crops. Moses tells us, in Leviticus 19:9-10, “ ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.”
My encouragement this evening is that Pam got it right; and was a true thought leader when it came to caring for the marginalized with dignity. We can still learn from her even though she has by now received her greatest hug of all from God. Well done, Pam, a good and faithful servant! My prayer is that we will be a kinder, gentler society – taking a biblical perspective on what it means to see things from God’s point of view – especially when it comes to taking care of people who are less fortunate. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…