Soon after arriving, the team worked together to fill up boxes of food, non-perishable and produce

For many who volunteer at Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLMHC), they encounter the joy of helping others experience kindness in times of hardship. For Delta Company/16^th Brigade Engineer Battalion/1^st Armored Brigade Combat Team/1^st Armor Division, serving the community where they are currently stationed is a continuation of the service, which they bless our country with. These men and women, trained to protect our country stateside and overseas, joined YLMHC’s regular volunteers the second Saturday of May to work together in assembling close to 200 boxes filled with non-perishable food items, as well as boxes of fresh produce.

Laughter and camaraderie was evident among these men and women who serve side by side

“They were one of the best group of people I’ve ever met,” YLMHC staff member, Scott Juengel, shared afterwards, “They had fun; smiled and laughed the whole time. They were from the same company, so the team worked together very well.”

With Ft. Bliss, the military base in El Paso, Texas, just twenty to thirty minutes away from where YLMHC is located, it has been a desire and prayer for YLMHC to find a way to connect with those who already serve our country. YLMHC is a place where they can serve in ways that allows them to connect and feel safe as they build relationships and change lives through simple acts of kindness.

Prayer over the safety of all who were volunteering, but especially for these soldiers, was done before the distribution began

“Zion Lutheran, one of our partnering churches in El Paso, has several military families there,” Maritza Muñoz, Donation and Distribution Facilitator of YLMHC, shared soon after scheduling Delta Company to adopt the YLMHC Food Pantry Drive-Thru, “Their pastor’s wife gave us information on who we could work with to make this happen.”

Over 150 vehicles were efficiently loaded up by our country’s finest

The early morning arrival of 6am was not a hardship for this group of military volunteers, getting to work quickly and efficiently soon as they arrived. Before the actual distribution began at its usual time of 7am, the group of 23 volunteers, both new and long-term, gathered for prayer. It was an opportunity to share the sacrificial love of God with these men and women who understand what sacrifice means.

Leann Brown, who organized the group’s participation alongside Maritza, shared in an email afterward, “We all had fun and were happy to help.”

As the year progresses, the increase of food insecurity is becoming evident, and with the vulnerable, such as low-income families, elderly, and children, being immensely affected, YLMHC is committed to continue carrying on the labor of love in providing supplemental food baskets every week. With the help of volunteers such as Delta Company, the command to love and serve people becomes a burden shared, bringing joy and fulfillment to all involved.

If you would like to schedule a Saturday for you and your family, coworkers, organization, or church to adopt the YLMHC Food Pantry Drive-Thru, give us a call at (915) 858-2588 and ask for Maritza Muñoz or email her at maritza.munoz@ylm.org.