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By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

MILFORD — Milford Food Bank’s “A Night Of Faith,” held up to its name on Friday evening, Aug. 16.

The board had faith all 18 tables would be filled. They had faith the financial goal of the evening would be reached. Faith prevailed once again for Milford Food Bank.

“It was good,” said Bill Doege, operations manager. “We were hoping the original turnout would be to fill 18 tables, that was the original plan. That’s what we had. The tables were full.”

While the totals are still coming in, the goal of raising $20,000 was exceeded. Doege estimated up to $28,000 was raised, including the silent auction items. “We exceeded the goal.”

Vince Turner was the keynote speaker for the evening. Turner is a former football and basketball sportscaster in Elkhart County and for Notre Dame basketball, newspaper columnist, development director at Bashor Children’s Home, employed at Mutual Bank, a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart County, Goshen Redevelopment Commission and host of “Sound of the Economy” for the Goshen Chamber of Commerce. He has been public speaking and filling the pulpit for 40 years.

Bill Doege, operations manager at Milford Food Bank, gives the latest numbers.

Throwing in a few jokes and funny comments, Turner talked of a time in his life when no one would believe he would be speaking before a group of people. He noted he had been blessed with people who have been with him, supported him, encouraged him and come alongside of him.

He noted a high school teacher who told him he had two choices: rise above his circumstances or let the circumstances dictate what’s happening the rest of his life. The teacher promised to be with him every step of the way if he rose above the circumstances. The teacher did as he promised. “He was by my side every step of my life, may career, my personal journey. He became my support, my mentor, my cheerleader …”

Turner spoke of how people who were sent by God to be His hands when his wife became ill on a vacation to Florida. Those people offered prayer, financial support, moral support, watched their home, their children. “This made a difference in our life,” he said.

“You have the opportunities to (make a difference in lives), with this special program, with this hands and feet of God, that you call Milford Food Bank. … I see the outreach that you have. That’s amazing, but I should have known,” he said.

He referenced back to covering Lorene Spearman and her three state championships in the 220 yard dash from 1975-1977. “The little Wawasee Community is still making a difference. Running the race as Paul talked about. Running the race as Lorene did. Yes, little Milford is getting it done.”

He referenced Matthew 14, when Jesus fed the 5,000 and the fact Jesus did it again just a chapter later in Mathew 15. He read from Eugene Peterson’s The Message Bible, where in Matthew 15:32 Peterson’s translation reads when Jesus looked out and said “I hurt for these people.”

Referring to the 9,000 people fed by Jesus in Matthew 14 and 15, Turner stated “You guys, Milford Food Bank is doing that every week …”

Brian Shepherd tells of his experience with Milford Food Bank.

Turner stated he could only imagine what it is to be hungry. He assured those present, those working in the food bank understood hurt. “Whatever my circumstances may have been growing up … one thing that I could never say. I could never say and honestly look at you … I was hungry. I was never hungry. Milford Food bank reaches out to people who are honestly hungry and if it weren’t for them and their partners providing the food, that hunger would continue and that hurt would continue…

“You have the opportunity to call upon your legacy and make good things happen. I have been blessed, our family has been blessed … this is our opportunity to say to the people whose passion drives the Milford Food Bank, the opportunity to pay it forward. Jesus promised … that no matter what we saw in the way of miracles, greater things we will do in his name. This is a greater thing.”

Prior to Turner’s address, Brian Shepherd, board member, spoke about his experience with Milford Food Bank, the support it needs and how words such as simple and easy get mixed up. “Being at the food bank is a simple thing. But it’s not easily done.”

He also spoke about faith. “I thought I knew what faith meant. Now I really know what faith means – stepping out of your comfort zone when you’re really not sure,” Shepherd stated.

Vince Turner was the guest speaker.

He spoke of the faith Doege has because he knows where his foundation is. Several examples of how Doege’s faith resulted in positive outcomes were shared. Shepherd spoke how the food bank has a very strong cornerstone and knows what it stands for and the difference between wants and needs. He stated the food bank inspires people to be better and its big purpose is to support pantries and and if someone is known to be in need to help. He also talked about grit and how every decision should be made on the fruit of the spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Doege had explained at the start of the evening the event was a fundraiser to help build the new building. The food bank, according to Doege, is currently partnering with 195 partners which include pantries, men’s and women’s homes, homeless shelters that cook and churches who have food ministries.

“Last month we gave away 461,000 pounds of food in one month. We are planning on breaking the record of over five million pounds of food this year of giving away food. That doesn’t include food that we purchase or pantry buys or cost sharing program. We give away more than 461,000 pounds of food away if we factor in the produce stand,” Doege stated. When that is figured in over a half-million pounds of food is given out a month.

There were approximately 18 silent auction items open for bidding ranging from an Amazon gift card, sports passes to West Noble, NorthWood, Fairfield, Wawasee and Warsaw, a kayak, lawn care, pillow and a year of date nights.