"Optimism is a Good Disease"

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but after three days here I have still received a lunch we didn't make ourselves every day. The generosity shown to Fair Foods is tremendous. Monday the neighbor Miss Jacobs brought us some macaroni salad, yesterday we got a vegetable dish at one of the sites, and today, a lady at one of the sites brought us chips and hot sandwiches.

Nancy tries to take care of as many people as she can, but neighbors are always given priority. We routinely bring home some of the scarecer items and spread them around the neighborhood, as well as giving away two dollar bags or anything else they may need.

There is also a bit of a bartering system, as the mechanics and other folks who work with us love getting some fresh vegetables. Yesterday we picked up a pair of nails in the driver side tires of the small van, and the mechanics plugged them for a few cases of tomatoes and strawberries.

Today we left for the market at twenty after seven, and brought back a full load with the big van of potatoes, celery, oranges, strawberries, radishes, and plenty more. After dropping that off at the warehouse, we loaded up the van to the max with a load of pre-made mixed bags and a many cases of other fruits and vegetables to include on the side or mix and match, this included the remainder of Monday's cauliflower. We came back at the end of the day with an empty van but for a few cases of the cauliflower (since we had so much we had been giving cauliflower away for free). And at roughly two dollars a bag we had brought in $264.62 to help pay the bills.

In the morning I was at the market working with Derek and Richard, the other two full time workers this summer besides Jason and myself. Derek and I got into a discussion over optimism. Derek and Richard are both from around these parts, and have spent most of their lives right around here. Derek doesn't think that we can really do anything to change or improve the world, to make it a better place. I explained that I do think change can happen if slowly. Of course this world can never be a perfect place, but I don't believe that that should stop us from loving our neighbors and encouraging them to do likewise, as Jesus did. The conversation continued back at the warehouse while Jason was around, and as we went to sites in the afternoon he told me that such a pessimistic attitude is quite common around here, and that while he remains optimistic, after doing this for several years, his optimism has diminished.

Thoughts or comments are welcome, of course!

Jim