Serving through Sandwiches

I am grateful to be able to take part in an on campus ministry to serve the local homeless and needy of Syracuse through making Sandwiches. Our group, the Le Moyne College Sandwich makers meets every Monday and Wednesday evening at 9pm to make 90-110 sandwiches for the men and women of Syracuse. This program which was started by my good friend Andrew Lunetta over three years ago was created to reach out to those in need. Doing something as simple as making sandwiches with friends, which takes only 25 minutes or so is a ministry and an important piece of what it means to serve. Many of us spend hours a day procrastinating, going onto facebook, aimlessly surfing the web, or watching sitcoms. However, if we just take a look in the mirror and then realize that we can do more we may surprise ourselves. More importantly, we will realize that our efforts on a daily basis whether big or small make a difference to others. Our sandwiches are delivered each Tuesday and Thursday morning. I have the privilege of taking the ham, turkey, and PBJ sandwiches to the Samaritan Center, the local soup Kitchen in Syracuse. It is at the Samaritan Center where I have been able to not only hand out sandwiches which provide a bag lunch service for the needy between breakfast and dinner meals, but also where I have conversed with these people and made friends. Many of the men and women who come to the Sam Center are in need, but they are not just in need of physical food, but also spiritual food and communication with others. It is my belief that through a smile, a sandwich, and some conversation, we make a difference in lives. However, our ministry must not stop here, as we can continue to expand and reach out to others as well. I urge you to think about your days and how you spend your time and remember that making a difference in somebody's life is not all that difficult. It can be through a simple gesture of bread, meat, lettuce, and cheese! You never really know how much of a difference you have made, but you can be certain that if you do not act you will have no impact at all. We are blessed and we must continue to show our gratitude by giving back to those in need and loving others. Jesus came to cure the sick, spend time with the lonely, and change the hearts of the sinner. Let us remember to reach out with mercy, love, and compassion. For the Gospel itself says it best, "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." (Luke 12:48) God bless you and may you go out to love and serve today!

To learn more about Le Moyne College Sandwich makers or to get ideas with creating your own sandwich program please log on to our blog: lmcsandwichmakers.blogspot.com or contact Dan Jason @ jasondm@stu.lemoyne.edu