“You Are Special” is loved by those who serve in it because the chance is provided to give freely, as we have been freely given to. It allows us to show the gracious heart of God to those who are in need. Many participants have walked away from the community outreaches blessed and filled with joy knowing that they were used by God to bless others.

We are moms, dads, kids, some homeschooled, some not, grandparents and friends all with a desire to serve our community and show the love of Christ.

You Are Special in Action

“As I knocked on the doors of the families, and saw their faces when their children received Christmas presents, or bags full of Thanksgiving dinner, the joy I felt was amazing, and I could feel God’s love for these people inside of my own heart.” –YAS Participant

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Thoughts on Thanksgiving

I have learned a lot this year about myself ….how truly selfish I really am and how I thought I was generous and giving. My husband and I have been working with our young adults and teens on getting donations from the community by standing outside Albertson’s and Stater Bros collecting food. For those of you who don’t know we have an ongoing non profit food bank in Orange, California called You Are Special. We hand distribute approximately 700 Thanksgiving Dinners to low-income families plus we give out food weekly to those in need without questions asked last year giving out over 700 Thanksgiving meals for the needy in our local community and for those in Orange County who have a need.

We have many adults, youth and young adults who go to the local grocery stores, Ralphs, Stater Bros and other stores to set up displays there and take donations from the community, food or finance. It works very well. This year they needed some help because they had the opportunity to go to another store and set up there in order to collect. They collect all items necessary for the Thanksgiving dinner such as stuffing, the turkey, potatoes, yams….all the items needed for the meal. This was the first time, my husband and I participated at this level. We stood at the door handing out lists to people and they go in and purchase an item or two and bring it to our table where we distribute the items purchased to those in need. To my surprise, not every one wanted to participate. As they were approached by one of us, they would wave their hand and say “no, not interested” or “no, I give to my church” or “I gave to you yesterday” when in fact we weren’t there yesterday……there were those who gave out of their own need.

There was an elderly set of friends who received extra meals on wheels and asked if they could put in their extra food in our food bank but needed a turkey dinner themselves. We witnessed those in big, expensive, flashy cars who were a little irritated that we approached them, there was a young woman my daughters age, who said “holy smokes, you guys are everywhere” and walked into the store ripping up the flyer. I found how judgmental I was about those who seemed to be more prosperous or just plain rude but then some in their prosperity gave 4 and 5 turkeys and bags and bags of food. One woman offered to supply our food bank with fresh meat….the Lord knew this is what we are short on in our food bank. Some who even called themselves pagan but gave generously, a couple with children and one on the way, gave out of their need. I realized that I had many times, waved my hand saying, “I give to my church” as well. I learned that freely I have received so freely give.

My husband and I realized that we should give to every cause we are approached with when it comes to food or the Salvation Army. I have so much to be thankful for. My seven children have a personal walk with the Lord, my husband and I love our church and the ministry as well, we have cars and a home, yet there is more we can do and give. I challenge any of you reading this to give more generously than you have ever in the past. Like one woman said, “I will definitely give because who knows where I will be next year at this time”.

Michelle Hensley

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