A Part of the Story

BY BRIANNA STEPHENS

For Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) founder, Rev. Ralph W. Beiting, the most beautiful thing God ever made was people. To him, people are at their most beautiful when they are serving as volunteers, giving selflessly of their individual talents — that’s when they reflect the face of God.

Andrew Harrington, an AmeriCorps member serving at CAP’s Grateful Bread Food Pantry, shares Beiting’s beliefs on the matter.

“I believe I am the most beautiful version of myself when my life is built around some kind of ministry, a position where I am giving freely of my unique gifts because it is the right thing to do the loving thing to do,” Harrington said.

Harrington first fell in love with Appalachia during his involvement in the Center of Faith Justice, a New Jersey based organization that introduces young adults to a life of ministry through various service opportunities. He traveled to Dunlow, West Virginia, and found that not only the land, the people, and the culture left a lasting impression on him, but so did the great need and poverty he saw in the area. It was that impression that brought him back to Appalachia when seeking another service opportunity that would allow him to focus on prayer and ministry.

“My fond memories of Dunlow made me gravitate to the word ‘Appalachia’ immediately,” he said. “After reading what the life of a volunteer at CAP would entail, my mind was set. This was what I wanted. I was accepted to serve at CAP’s Grateful Bread Food Pantry for the first time in 2016.”

Since that first year of service, Harrington has repeatedly returned to CAP, contributing over three years of service to the organization in total.

CAP’s Grateful Bread Food Pantry provides nutritious foods through pantry boxes to nearly 800 families a month in addition to commodity boxes for nearly 200 seniors a month. In many cases, people in Appalachia do not know where their next meal might come from.

“When you are hungry, everything in life gets harder. It is so much more difficult to be a good student, a good employee, a good parent, or even a good person when you are starving,” Harrington said. “I hope that my service at Grateful Bread helps alleviate some of that burden and offers the people of Rockcastle County much more freedom to be their best selves.”

While Harrington hopes to make an impact on the people he serves, one participant has confirmed to him the power of faith an elderly man who, Harrington said, is an expert in generosity. During one visit to the pantry, the man brought a gift of three handmade crosses.

“Even though some might look at him and say he has nothing to give, those of us who know him have learned he is far richer than he seems, for he is full of heavenly gifts that no one can take or destroy,” Harrington said. “While we offered him food, he offered us his faith in Jesus, his hope for our ministry, and his love for everyone at the pantry. He taught us that our service does more than simply give people food, it offers us the opportunity to love Jesus through His children.”

Because of volunteers and AmeriCorps members like Harrington, Beiting’s vision and hope for Appalachia has continued to come to life since CAP’s founding in 1964. Harrington encourages anyone who wants to make an impact in the lives of children, their families, and seniors in the region to consider serving with CAP.

“Rev. Beiting has left a vision, a drive, and a love for CAP and the region as his legacy,” Harrington said. “If you want to be a part of that great story, I would encourage you to apply for a service opportunity with CAP.”

For more information about CAP service opportunities, visit christianapp.org/volunteer.