By Diana Z. Pinto, Executive Director

While updating and modernizing the website, South Central LAMP has been reflecting on our history. South Central LAMP was founded by eight congregations of sisters in response to the civil unrest of 1992.  These sisters believed that an act of kindness could change the lives of the people in the community. And the sisters were right!

Often people don’t realize that most families served by South Central LAMP lack basic daily resources. One of our participants, Gloria*, shared a few months ago that her family had little food.  Her husband was injured and could no longer work. LAMP immediately sprung into action and provided Gloria and her family with food, gift cards for household necessities, and a support system, including a list of resources to help with paying rent and accessing food pantries. Gloria’s gratitude was beyond words. She cried and told LAMP that we didn’t know how much this meant to her, but I did.  My parents went through the same situation.

I shared with Gloria that my parents, unfortunately, did not have access to agencies like LAMP to provide support during a difficult time.  However, I shared that we were still very blessed to have my aunt, who brought us boxes of food until my parent’s income was stable.

I was most surprised the following day when Gloria came back to return the Target cards LAMP had given her.   Her husband had received word that he would be offered work while recovering from his injury.  While I insisted that she keep the cards, Gloria was even more insistent that we take them back saying “these cards should be used for a family who truly needs them. For now I have been blessed and I want to make sure that another family gets them in their hour of need.”  I am still wondering if Gloria knows how her single act of kindness has changed my life.

I am so proud to be part of an agency that still embraces the vision and principles of our Founding Mothers, those courageous sisters who responded to the needs of this community in 1992.  The principles of helping one another and treating others with kindness were critical and essential then, and it still is today!

*Name changed for this article