Hands, Pockets, and a Community Challenge

 

No matter how unlikely this looks to you - - I promise you that the following conversation really happened. Please note: religion is not the point of this post. Bear with me. - - jam

On Sunday after church my husband I were taking about Children’s Chats. (Some churches call them Children’s Sermons.) They are meant to personalize the church experience for younger children by presenting relevant topics in a way they can connect with and understand. 

Both of us have been known to step up and do these things from time to time. As someone who spent my professional life interacting with young children, I have opinions. 

At any rate, my husband acknowledged that his message on Sunday might have run a little long. It was a great message, no argument there. But I’ve given some thought to this and I responded as follows:

I’ve decided that a Children’s Chat must be fascinating, and delicious…but it also must be small enough to fit in your pocket. 

*****

This conversation came back to me yesterday when I saw the news that Howard County Government has opened three Pocket Pantry locations around the county. Missed the announcement? You can learn more here:

“Drop off what you can": Community fridges now up & running in Howard County, Blair Sabol, WMARTV

(Check out the connection with the Rachell L. Gray Community Foundation in Elkridge. I’ve been meaning to write about them.)

Pocket Pantry expands food access amid SNAP uncertainty,  Brianna Ross, WBALTV

(Great close-up interior views of the Pocket Pantry.)

This is a new approach for us. I’ve seen it used in Baltimore where meeting neighborhood needs as quickly as possible - -  without making folks jump through any hoops - -  is the goal. I like it.

County Executive Calvin Ball laid out the case for these Pocket Pantries succinctly:

Today, in the midst of the longest federal government shutdown in our nation's history, the uncertainty of SNAP benefits, and the compound rising costs from the grocery store to housing to energy, our residents need help now more than ever.

Here is the challenge. People need help. Here’s how we can meet their needs. 

You might even say it has all the qualities of an effective Children’s Chat. 

The concept of a Pocket Pantry is fascinating, delicious, and simple enough to carry in your pocket. A tip of the hat to WBALTV’s Brianna Ross who closes her piece with a memorable tagline: 

When neighbors care for neighbors, no one needs to choose between dignity and dinner.

*****

Before COVID, when I used to give the Children’s Chat pretty regularly, I created a basic but effective technique for keeping my thoughts organized as I spoke. I wrote the topic in the center of my hand using  a black Sharpie marker. Then, on each finger, I wrote one specific example I wanted to relate. When I was done with those, I was done. Period. 

I did my darnedest to adhere to those boundaries religiously. (Sorry.) Yes, sometimes I used visual aids, props, music, interactive experiences, and the occasional joke. But more importantly- - I went small.

Fascinating, delicious, and small enough to fit in your pocket. 

Why? Because it works: not just for children but for all of us. A message that is easy to fit in your pocket is also easy enough to take out of your pocket and share with someone else.

Village Green/Town² Comments