Helping a Foodie Find a Place to Connect and Give Back
Lori learned about The Salvation Army Belvidere Corps Community Center when her son, James, and his friends from high school started volunteering at their food pantry. Not only was she pleased that her teenage son was doing something so positive, but she was also intrigued because “I’m a foodie at heart,” she said.
Lori began donating food to the pantry, and during one of those drop-off visits struck up a conversation with the staff at the Belvidere corps. “That’s when I learned it was also a church,” she said. “I’ve always trusted The Salvation Army as a charitable organization and donated over the years, especially at Christmas.”
Learning that the Army is also a church, and a bilingual one at that, drew her in. This was around Thanksgiving of 2020, when COVID numbers were high, so she began attending the church via Facebook. When in-person gatherings resumed, Lori and her son became more involved in the Belvidere corps, impressed by the inclusiveness of the community.
“I love that my son, James, is not invisible there,” Lori said. “He is welcomed and acknowledged and encouraged to be part of the church.” She was also drawn to the friendly community, the biblical teaching, and “the church’s heart for Belvidere and the surrounding communities.”
Lori is now regularly involved with the Belvidere church and corps life. She volunteers with the food box distribution on the first Wednesday of each month – doing what she can to help her neighbors in need, especially her fellow foodies.