Post HS/College Life Group Serves at the Good Samaritan Inn

A few of us went to Costco on Wednesday morning to get all the food- let me tell you, Chelsie said it best "This is the section where they have things you didn't even know you needed." CRAZY store :) Anyway, by Wednesday night 20 lbs of sloppy joes were made and ready to go (let me tell you- 20 lbs of hamburger is A LOT). We were very blessed because Jenny sent out an email about our serving, asking if people wanted to join us or to support us financially. We started the day Tuesday with no responses and ended up getting around 250 dollars donated, plus with what our group donated hit the 350 mark. Since the meal only cost around 250 bucks, we donated the additional 100 dollars to the mission.

Thursday rolled around and we headed to Durham (ok, so I admit I was running late so we didn't get there with the food until around 4:45). We ran the huge pot of sloppy joes to the kitchen where they were promptly transferred to a big flat pan and put in the oven in hopes they would be warm enough by 5:00. We decided to serve the food family style, so we put chips, fruit, cookies and drinks on each table. The sloppy joes just wouldn't heat up, so Pam had the brilliant idea to put the sloppy joes in individual bowls to heat up. 5:15 rolled around and we still didn't think it was hot enough, but we went out with the food anyway because everyone was getting restless. (Of course everything ended up being fine and they were grateful for the food and said it was good....)

After everyone had been served and then food refilled, including requests for a peanut butter sandwich and a banana sandwich (yeah, just banana on a bun) we sat at various tables and hung out with the people at the inn. Babies were held so mothers could eat, stories were told, names were exchanged, promises to visit again were made, and everyone was smiling and laughing by the time dinner was over. Our team sprung into action again, washing dishes and cleaning the dining room. After everything was cleaned up, we headed outside to play with the kids, drawing with chalk on the sidewalk and passing out stickers for the adorable kids! Unfortunately we didn't get to hang out too long b/c the kids had to go to their tutoring that night.

All in all, I think we could say we had a great experience and will be going back again! Thanks for your support, whether financial, prayer, or joining us.

Ashley Hoffman
Co-leader