The second Saturday of October was a beautiful day at the San Pablo Lutheran Church-Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) campus as people of all ages and areas of El Paso came together to give of their time, dedicating their hands to serving their community alongside the members of San Pablo Lutheran Church.

Members of San Pablo, along with kids, teens and parents from El Paso County 4-H and Clover Clubs distributed food to over 250 families

The San Pablo Pantry-Emergency Food Program hosted members of different El Paso 4-H and Clover Clubs this Saturday morning.  Under the direction of long-time volunteers of San Pablo Lutheran Church, produce was sorted, bagged and given out along with bread, brown eggs, and whole chickens.  The group of children, teens, and adults working together in the YLM Dining Hall ensured for a smooth and organized process as 250+ food baskets were given out, along with the extras.

All hands were dedicated to serving the community, no matter the age

All of this service was done with enthusiasm, bright smiles, and willing hands by all involved.  4-H is America’s largest youth development organization, where they are dedicated in empowering young people in four areas –Head, Heart, Health and Hands.  The second week of October was 4-H week throughout the nation, with Saturday dedicated as the 4-H One Day, where throughout the United States, 4-H clubs dedicate their hands to serving their community.

4-H high school students helped clean donated toys

This year, the 4-H and Clover Clubs of El Paso came to the San Pablo Pantry to help give out food to those needing assistance in feeding their families.  While half of the large group of about thirty worked distributing food, the other half spent their time across the campus, sorting through toy donations, cleaning and packaging them in preparation for the upcoming Christmas Distribution.

Elementary age children were digging through large wooden containers where toys had been stored throughout the year, sorting them into age-appropriate crates while high school students washed gently used plastic toys, others helping bag one pound bags of beans, and yet others breaking down boxes for recycling.

Boxes were broken down to be recycled

“It was amazing to see how much got done while they were here,” Miguel Muñoz, a member of San Pablo Lutheran Church and currently overseeing the distribution programs of YLM, shared with a huge smile, “Everyone worked hard, even the kindergarten kids who helped bag tomatoes in the kitchen.  Thanks to their help, we were able to get through a lot of stuff needing to be done.”

When willing hands, eagerness to serve, and kindness come together, amazing things are accomplished!

Many thanks to the El Paso County 4-H and Clover Clubs for joining San Pablo Lutheran Church in changing lives through simple acts of kindness.  We hope to see all of you back soon!