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1d
for all food banks everywhere.

Les moved lightly up the steps,
     Turned the handle and stepped inside.
Four wretched months had passed
     Since his boss had called him in.

The crushing words had seared his soul
    Like a poisoned arrow -
Without a job, how would he
    Feed Mary and the kids
Pay the mortgage and fire the furnace?

So many unanswered calls,
     Applications filed for phantom posts
Struggles to cover tons of need
     With far too few unemployment bucks.

The woman at the desk smiled.
     “Hi Les. Give us a sec
To make up your box.    
     We have fruit and eggs today.”

Les, fought off the lump in his throat,
     “Thanks, but no need, Sarah;
Got a new job and brought you this.”

Sarah took the check from his hand,
     Ken promised more would follow
     And left by the door he had entered -
A reborn heir of Hope and Dignity
This poem is based on two events.  One took place at St. George's Episcopal Church in Belleville IL and the other at Crossroads Ministry in Estes Park IL.

Both of these wonderful services are dear to thousands!
Robert C Howard
Written by
Robert C Howard  Estes Park CO
(Estes Park CO)   
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