Grub & Go

I’m really excited to share these pictures with you. At face value they’re just pictures of a group of guys at breakfast together. If you look closer it looks like they have the same color shirts on. If you look even closer, those are Love Your Neighbor t-shirts, which is why I’m so excited.

This is the Grub & Go Team that gather every Tuesday and Thursday at the same restaurant on the Southeast side of Fort Wayne. They meet to share a meal, catch up with one another and to get organized before they head out to serve. This group is made up of mostly retired guys from Fellowship Missionary Church. From time to time other guys from around the city join them as well folks who are currently out of work that want to use their time for good. 

In just a few months of meeting, the bonds between these guys have grown tighter. Most of these guys knew each other and even served together sporadically, but never spent a whole lot of time together.

Grub & Go started due to the passion of one of these guys being captivated by projects he had done through NeighborLink and then asking “what if?" What if we organized the other retired guys we know to help us in doing projects? The questions were not only asked, but they were acted upon and now over 20 guys meet between two days each week to help each other and help people in need. 

They have gotten to so many of the projects that typically go unmet at NeighborLink. These guys have such incredible gifting and a lifetime of experiences that are being put to good use fixing sinks, gutters, electrical issues, windows and the list goes on.

The most significant part of their activity is their attention to the volunteer process. They realize that it’s "about the relationship and not the project" that we talk so much about. With this driving their motivation, the recipients benefit greatly. The Grub & Go guys are also getting a crash course in social services and how difficult it can be to help someone become sustainable. They struggle with how best to help someone that can be difficult to help.

These guys are a big difference we’re seeing as an organization this year because of their weekly commitment. I’m encouraged by the attention to detail and their desire to learn how to serve better. They’ve seen how helping can hurt and actually leave the person being served worse off than they found them regardless of their intent, and are committed to doing it differently. 

I know they are open to having more members join them and would even be willing to help a group of guys get started in a different part of Fort Wayne. If you want to connect with them, just send me a message or leave a comment on this post. I’d be happy to connect you. 

By the way…..

This concept is not just limited to “retired guys." There are plenty of projects at NeighborLink that any group can do. To be honest, I’d love to have an equally passionate and committed group of woman active doing our projects. So, if that’s you, don’t hesitate to call. I know these guys wouldn’t mind diversifying as well because of the unique perspective women volunteers bring to the whole pictures.