Bryant Several businesses and organizations here appear to be accelerating efforts to donate food to God's Open Hands in Chandler as Thanksgiving and Christmas approach.

That's good.

And as grateful as I know the volunteers are who operate the food bank, I also know an even greater effort is needed to fund and stock God's Open Hands - and not just for the holidays.

The not-for-profit food bank requires thousands of dollars a month - and probably more - just to keep a moderate amount of food on the shelves and to maintain its building.

A trip last week to East Texas Food Bank in Tyler cost God's Open Hands over $600.

But the center also collects food from King's Storehouse, and if it visits both food banks twice a week, its cost can run several thousand dollars.

You get the picture.

Here's another one: The need in this community far exceeds supply.

In September, more than 1,100 individuals were given 342 food boxes at God's Open Hands.

But the food bank's president, Pat Martin, says the need for food is beginning to increase each month while cash donations remain the same.

Martin was quick to acknowledge the humanitarian efforts by churches, businesses, clubs, and organizations, but seemed hesitant to ask them to do more.

I won't hesitate the same way, and I'll start with the churches.

You see, it's easy to show up a couple of times a week and talk about helping others. It's easy to quote scripture and shake your head in agreement while the pastor talks about getting involved outside the church walls.

God's servants often get in their comfort zones. As a preacher's kid, I've seen the best and worst of churches. And I've seen God's people come through in extraordinary and miraculous ways, when they open their hearts and let the Father work through them.

Quite frankly, that's exactly the way it should be. That is exactly the way God intends.

And so I'm calling for the area's churches, especially the larger ones, to contribute more money to God's Open Hands so volunteers can buy more food, help more families, and make a larger impact on this community.

Besides, that's part of your job as a church family. It's not enough to simply show up on Sundays and go through the motions.

Church families must be involved - and quite heavily - in the progression of their communities. They must lead by example, and that very much includes helping the poor, needy, and less fortunate.

It means helping the elderly. It means volunteering your time when it's the hardest, sacrificing self to the greater good. It means doing what is Biblical.

It means doing what's right. And you know what to do.

As for businesses, I know this is a tough time for you. The economy has kicked all of us in our rear ends.

I'll simply ask you to do what you can, when you can, especially as the holidays near.

Many of us have never gone hungry on Thanksgiving and Christmas, so it's hard to imagine those who do.

And to everyone else: Imagine being one of those individuals or families who visit God's Open Hands once a month to pick up food you can't afford to buy.

All of us have experienced tough times at some point in our lives. We must put ourselves in their shoes. We must understand no shame is found in asking for help and offering to help.

None of us are too good for either.

We must not neglect organizations like God's Open Hands, those that enrich our communities by putting the needs of others above everything else.

What the people at that center are doing every day is Christ-like, and those of us who are able to help - whether through volunteering or contributing money or food - must do precisely that.

God bless you.

Paul Bryant is managing editor of The Chandler & Brownsboro Statesman.