Flaco Guapo Media
SAN ANGELO – “Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me,” (Matthew 25:40, NKJV).
For the 14th consecutive year, a pre-Valentine’s Day lunch for the “least of these, brethren [homeless]” of which 48 people showed up for the first hour was held at Wesley United Methodist Church, 301 West 18th Street.
At this year’s Valentine’s lunch, which was on Saturday, February 9 from 11 a.m. -1 p.m., coordinator, Mr. Carl White, five members from the City of San Angelo, and 12 Angelo State University students, were there to make it all about the homeless community members, practicing what Jesus said, “For who is greater, he that sits at table, or he that serves? is not he that sits at table? but I am among you as he that serves,” Luke 22:2.
Caitlyn Andrade an ASU sophomore was one of 12 students who volunteered her servant time to give back to her community. Andrade brought a delicious meal to the homeless during the two hour lunch period from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Left-to-right: Brent Casey, third from left, Anthony Wilson, next to him is Sydney Walker. All three and others are City of San Angelo staff employees who stepped up to serve the homeless a Valentine's Day lunch on Saturday, February 10.
Those City staff personnel servants were: Anthony Wilson, Sydney Walker, Brent Casey and others who served up roast beef, pork, chicken, turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, toast, salad, cranberry juice, tea, water; and for dessert, a staple favorite—chocolate. A box of chocolates was given to each homeless person to take home, stated White.
Besides City employees, other organizations: Emmanuel Episcopal Church, St Paul Presbyterian Church, and 12 Angelo State University students. White informed Flaco Guapo that this traditional pre-holiday “love-from-the-heart” lunch originated with Peace Ambassadors in 2005. “Today is about love and giving it to others” concluded White.
Among those ASU students with a compassion to serve was Gigi Sccott. Gigi was asked why volunteerism was so close to her heart. “I believe in community outreach; to give back and lead by example” said Scott, who is in her fifth year of participating in the Valentine’s lunch for the homeless. “Community outreach is my heart, and I LOVE volunteering at the soup kitchen,” said Gigi. “Compassion to me is being moved to action.”