Rolling Out Hope - Finding Purpose by Serving at the Saddleback Food Pantry

On any given Thursday afternoon, you’ll find Randy Davis pushing carts of groceries to shoppers’ cars. He isn’t an employee of a local store nor is he a superhero in disguise. Instead, Randy is a Saddleback Food Pantry volunteer who learned that giving back can turn adversity into blessings.

When Randy lost his wife to Parkinson’s disease, he promised himself he would carry on her memory in a way that captured her generosity and dedication to the community. Devastated and trying to move forward through his grief, he decided there would be no better place to find community outreach opportunities to fulfill his promise than through the church.

Although he had attended Saddleback Church for 19 years, Randy had never taken a CLASS (Christian Life And Service Seminar).  Starting with Class 101, Randy quickly rounded the bases, completing all four CLASSes and becoming baptized. Initially wanting to become involved in a grief support group, he was surprised to discover that his SHAPE (Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, and Experience) made him a perfect fit for serving at the Food Pantry.

A former director for a high-tech company, Randy was a little uncertain as to how his skills would come into play at a food pantry. In addition, he had preconceived ideas about spending his time passing out food to people who were merely looking for a handout. Although initially skeptical, he trusted that God was leading him and that he could continue his wife’s legacy of generosity.

From day one, God used Randy to help others at the food pantry. Over time he learned how to perform every job function, but his quiet nature made the position of a “roller”—volunteers who push carts of food out to shoppers’ cars—a bit intimidating. Those fears dissolved during his first roll. “God gave me the words to connect with everyone on a person-to-person basis, share Christ with them, pray for them, and tell them about how Saddleback can help them.”

Randy adds that the Food Pantry is more than a place to come for groceries—it’s a place of hope. It’s not a means of enabling, but rather it offers resources to help people move forward to get past their current circumstances. “Food is one thing, but hope is something totally different. Without hope, people are lost,” he reveals. Randy finds the greatest satisfaction in matching people with Saddleback ministries that can help them to help themselves. Whether it’s job coaching, legal assistance, support groups, veteran’s assistance, or counseling, Randy smiles and says, “We’ve got a ministry for that!”

Instilling this sense of hope for a promising future in others makes Randy’s work invaluable. Despite his incredible loss, he’s found unexpected blessings through giving back to the community and has learned that even the simple act of carrying groceries can carry a powerful message of hope.

Saddleback Food Pantry’s main distribution center and mobile food pantry locations provide meals to 3,500 local people every month. Our Easter food drive is currently underway, and ongoing donations and volunteers are always needed and appreciated. For more information on ways you can help us work toward ending hunger in Orange County, visit our website at saddleback.com/fooddrive.