Sharing Food | Acts 2:43-47

As we conclude this series on the mission of Easter Outreach, here is the mission:

“Easter Outreach celebrates the resurrection by connecting churches with their neighbors by sharing a meal.”

We come to that final phrase, “Sharing a Meal.” This phrase was picked for a purpose: Easter Outreach is more than just the distribution of food. It is the sharing of food, community, relationships, and faith. In this final blog of the Easter season, we will look at the importance of food in our lives, the need for food in the region, and the transformative power of food as displayed by Jesus and the early church. 

Food is fundamental to our lives        

I want all of us to take a second and reflect on how much of our days and lives revolve around food: three meals a day, food shopping, food prep, and sitting down to eat a meal. This litany of tasks doesn’t even take into consideration those with a food allergy or restricted diet, which can add a whole other level of stress to the day.

One daughter in our family has an allergy to dairy. Before this challenge, it never crossed my mind how much food contains dairy or the stress that it can cause when we go out to eat or attend a social event. It’s stressful to plan, prepare, and adjust her diet, as well as the added expense of alternative food.

Food definitely consumes our time and our money. Having the food we need to live is a basic human need, not a privilege. Despite this, most of us probably take food for granted.

Now, I’d like to look at some of the statistics surrounding food in this region. You’ll see that food, a basic need, is a major problem for many families. Food insecurity is defined as "uncertain access to adequate food.” It causes great anxiety for many people. Imagine not being able to supply food for your family or lacking access to the right kinds of food. This is reality for far too many people in this region. It is a major injustice. Let's take a dive into the numbers.

Food insecurity in Philadelphia

Food insecurity in the region has jumped nearly 8% in three years, going from 13.6% to 21.2% of residents. And 67% of area residents live below the 200% threshold for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP. Adding to increased food insecurity is the rising cost of groceries. In Philadelphia, grocery prices are 17% higher than the national average. Unfortunately, those prices are not expected to drop anytime soon. In fact, grocery prices are projected to increase 3.2%. 

These situations complicate the plight of the “working poor” – those who have jobs but still live at the poverty level. According to federal poverty guidelines, at least 53,000 Philadelphian adults work full time but still live in poverty. To escape the poverty level, a family of three must bring in $25,000 a year. But when making just $12 an hour, is this family really escaping poverty?

The reality is that access to food is becoming more challenging for people who are income-restrained and under the poverty line. It is also a significant problem for people categorized as the working poor.

Food is communion, builds community, trust, and transformation

God uses food in the Scriptures to show his provision for his people. Three main examples are manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16), feeding 5,000 with loaves and fish (Luke 9), and the Last Supper (Luke 22). In these examples, God uses food to show provision and care. So, it makes sense for churches to be in the food business because God calls us to provide for the world.

Just as God provided Jesus to give his life for us, we are, in turn, called to share our life with the world. The greatest act of sacrifice was Jesus’ death on the cross. Christians remember this great act of provision as we partake in Holy Communion – the Lord’s Supper or eucharist – whatever term you use. As we partake of the Sacrament, it is God’s provision for us. We remember what God has done and is doing for the world in and through his church.

In my church tradition, we pray certain prayers every week as we partake of the bread and wine. One of those prayers says:

“As this bread is Christ’s body for us,
send us out to be the body of Christ
in the world.”

This gets at the heart of sharing a meal. As we take this meal, we must go and share. The benefits of Christ aren’t meant to be kept to ourselves; they are meant for us to go out into the world.

Sharing a meal

The book of Acts, which details the formation of the early church, begins right after Jesus has risen from the dead. The early followers are trying to figure out what it means now that Jesus has risen from the dead. They are forming this new community around the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. There is a place in the second chapter of the book that describes how these followers gathered around meals, sharing food and resources.

 “Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”

What was happening in the early church was that the Resurrection of Jesus was transforming people to be generous with their resources. It was allowing people to enter deeper relationships with one another and to care for each other in new ways.

As we have seen, the need for food in the region today is great and not getting better. The Bible in the Old and New Testaments shows that food is a critical part of community and relationships. Jesus broke bread with his disciples and shared a meal before his death. This is how Small Things works with local churches to increase food access to their neighbors. We hope that this sharing of a meal leads to lasting relationships and transformed lives. We need the regional church to continue to partner with us as we look to meet the tangible needs in our neighborhoods.

To learn more or to volunteer or donate to Easter Outreach visit: https://www.smallthingsphilly.org