Marshall County Sheriff’s Office Food Drive
By Brandi Greenfield
A couple of years ago, my husband had a project laid on his heart about which he felt convicted enough to pursue it. A lot of people never stop to consider the person behind a badge, but they all have a history. They all have a childhood, family members, experiences and ideas that have nothing to do with law enforcement- but shape their motivations and cause for their daily sacrifices to their community. My husband is no exception to this. I’ll tell you- there are few things that give him pause after he goes “10-7” (off duty), but seeing a hungry family or children who have been in dire situations are certainly 2 of those things. I can always tell when he gets home if he’s worked cases involving either one. He takes it deeply to heart.
So, in 2016, he decides on his own to plan a food drive. He doesn’t know, at that point, exactly how it’s all going to come together, but he just goes all in. He spent his own time making calls, setting up at various locations and praying about the project. Once, Capt. Matt Hilbrecht made an appearance and his wife brought us all pizza.
It has now, due to great success, turned into a pretty amazing family adventure. Our son (8) has learned a lot about giving back to the community, through standing in the rain (never fails, y’all- it’ll rain at some point if we’re out there) and collecting cans, to helping unload them at the food pantry. We were often out there as a trio, but we brought our baby briefly last year. Truthfully, it’s a family fellowship time and we enjoy it a great deal. I’m so thankful for the giving heart God has placed in my husband. His love language is service, and he does all he can to share that with the community.
This year, however, with so much happening in our little world, I wasn’t sure it would be something we were able to do.
However, our son came home recently talking about a child at school who had expressed some things that concerned him. He felt like this child had needs that his family was struggling to meet, and took it upon himself to tell everyone at school that he was going to help. Students, teachers, whomever. He broke the news.
By golly, this kid was planning 2018’s food drive and this year we were adding toys.
Y’all can imagine this mama’s face when she realized for what she’d been enlisted.
I’ll never tell him no on something like this, though. If he wants to make it happen, we’re going to be there. I also think, in a way, it was God holding us accountable for what we were letting interfere with His work. From the mouths of babes, right?
Therefore, I write this to tell you that we ARE planning on doing the food drive with the Sheriff’s office this year. My son is very insistent that we will be delivering toys as well. You can follow the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office page on Facebook for information on times, locations, etc. They’ll have it all there.
Just be on the lookout early for sales on non-perishable food items (and toys). If you start stocking up now, we’ll gladly take whatever you have in bulk when the time comes.
Thank you for making our past drives such a success and helping to serve alongside our department. It’s so rare we get to all come together with our law enforcement to see a change in our community. I can’t wait to see you out there this year!