There are many of them in larger cities. Large warehouses, many of them are similar with flat roofs and made of brown cement. Most of them have loading docks and handy parking lots. Nice landscaping helps appearances and the siding on most of them, (and also the one where I work), is textured, and the latest style resembles giant Triscuit crackers. It’s rather simple, and It blends in with the neighborhood.

On most weekends, I go to our large building where I work with my son. Father and son, it’s an old tradition with our buildings owner. It’s not open yet this early in the morning so we enter by a pass card door, quite near the main loading dock. In the hallway are many tools and large heavy objects such as forklifts and scissor platforms.

This building is easier to find than it’s brown neighbors as it has a larger parking area. We meet a few people we work with that are also there early as we move through the building. All of us at this time wear name badges that make it easier to see we are all on the same team. It also helps us remember names. Everyone says its hard to remember names when we first meet someone, so it helps till you get to know folks you work with. Ours are really nice ones that have a magnet under your shirt so you don’t have pins poking around your upper garments and flesh.

The work we all do involves giving food to a large amount of people that come a bit later. Bread. The staff of life. We were involved in a similar outfit, a much smaller one near where we live. Same food. Basic, survival stuff and it draws people in. Especially the free part. We all are hungry at some time every day. Good bread that nourishes and satisfies is basic nutrition.

We prepare for the hungry people (us too) and get our work areas ready. Where my son and I work is an interesting room that is filled with electrical equipment. So much of it that air conditioning to keep the equipment cool has to work really well. I wear long sleeves and a hat.

In an hour or so, the people start streaming in and are greeted by the door and helped to where they can sit and eventually receive the bread. A thousand or more hungry people come! There is a large room that has excellent music that gets people interested, many times excited about the upcoming meal.

By this time, you know what bread I am writing about. The bread of life. Just for you and all you need to be fully alive. It’s hunger that brings people to the big brown building. I was stunned the first time I went into this building by the hunger I felt. I asked why do I feel this hunger? Is it me or is it the thousand or so I see? Our Lord answered me with a simple ‘Yes”

As they say in the south: “Come on by and I’ll fix you a plate!” We’ll all eat the bread of life together. When you come on by, feel free, look around and if you want to know more you can start by talking to to anyone there with a name badge. We’d love to help and get to know you! Jack Gator scribe