“At the end of life, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by: I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.” Mother Theresa wrote these words while leading the Missionaries of Charity, where she devoted her life toward feeding the hungry.

During the recent government shut down which included the suspension of SNAP benefits, the plight of the hungry became front and center in our nation. Many of us who care and advocate for our food insecure neighbors were disappointed to witness the impasse in Washington, DC that adversely impacted our most vulnerable citizens.

However, disappointment transformed to hope and gratitude, when individuals in our community saw the crisis unfold and stepped up to help in extraordinary ways. Over the last four weeks, Twin Lakes Food Bank received numerous food and monetary donations, along with people calling to volunteer. We held our yearly gala in the midst of the uncertainty, and the generosity exceeded all expectations.

This is a season when we collectively express gratitude for God’s goodness to his people. I am especially grateful to each of you for, like Mother Teresa, not only recognizing the hungry, but choosing to feed them — the elderly, the sick, and the children.

As these stories will reflect, members of our community are taking little and big steps to lift up the marginalized, building a legacy that is not temporary, but eternal. And for that, my heart is full of Thanksgiving.