I know we've been ordered to stay at home but I volunteered for about an hour and a half delivering food for a food pantry. I want to share my reflections. This is a thread.

I called a friend to ask if we're still on for delivering food this Saturday. He confirmed. I have a car and he has a bike. We met up at this church in Bronzeville and that has a food pantry program every Saturday. First time meeting the folks there. 46th and Prarie.

They serve three area codes. No long lines but they take one person at a time. I chopped it up with the security guard (talked Trump and Obama) as my friend went inside and talked to the deacon. My friend managed to get us three addresses serve.

Let me back up, all the folks working the food pantry had on masks and gloves. They were telling those standing in line for food that they will need some type of mouth covering next week or they can't serve them.

So my buddy got addresses was about to come out with three robust bags of groceries. A man walked out and said God will bless us for what we're doing but always protect ourselves. They gave my pal some gloves and hand sanitizer. Then we went to our first address.

Went to our first address. Success.
Went to our second and third address...no one answered. So we headed back to the church to tell them that folks weren't home. They told us to take the remaining groceries to whoever needs them. I immediately thought of tent communities.

But my friend says we should go to the community center around 43rd and Cottage. So I head towards Cottage, driving east on 47th, and I see so many people outside. Old people and people with disabilities. I get to 47th and Cottage and the northbound bus stop is full of people.

I tell my friend, "Let's just hop out and give these groceries out. Everybody needs food." We park at the bus stop. And I know we look crazy. Two Black men masked up asking who wants some free groceries? I know we looked crazy.

Two seniors approached us. One said that they have already been to that food pantry. The other senior, speaking through her mask, says this was a blessing because she just went to the Walmart across the street and could only afford three small bags.

It was a lot of food. That lady could barely carry it but she was thanking Jesus as she went to go sit down and wait for the bus. My friend and I hopped back in the car and went back to retrieve his bike.

The next tweets will be reflections.

1. In Bronzeville, there are a lot of old folks outside. I don't think most are outside because they want to be. Many are wearing masks on bus stops. People are still traveling distances for food. The government (and some of y'all) yell "Stay At Home!" but ain't addressing need.

2. Churches are important because they are feeding people in the pandemic. This particular church we went to? All the members look over 40.

3. People and food need transport. The food pantry we worked with couldn't reach some of their usual people because some won't risk their health to come outside.
There are seniors and folks with disabilities waiting on buses and trains going to, and coming from, buying groceries

4. We—two people—helped two families/people by having a car and calling up a pantry program asking if we can be of service. Do what you can with what you have.

5. While chopping it up with the security guard, a woman waiting to get inside the pantry says she has lost 3 people to COVID-19. I didn't inquire further. After she said that, I automatically thought that # of deaths is far worse than what is being reported. It was a thought.

Final thought: Some of us who are able-bodied should be helping others at this very moment, especially if we're talking about being pro-Black, feminist, following in Christ's footsteps, or being an empathetic human. Use resources you have. You're needed.

*steps off soapbox*