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We had the most insightful and most inspired bishop.  One evening, when we just didn't know what to do, there was a knock on our door, and there for Thanksgiving were bags and bags of food -- not only to get us through that holiday, but for a few weeks more.  Now, I am talking the basics, and you are all right when you say you have to "teach the sisters how to cook from scratch", because the supplies you receive are truly "basic".  I am blessed in that area, for my mother always had cooked from scratch, and I hardly bought pre-packaged foods.

This is coming from a sister whose family has received church assistance. First of all, I never thought I would need to, and second, I had "looked down" on those I knew who had.  I believe they call that PRIDE.  Obviously my spirit has been humbled, and I understand the "Pain" of having to be on church welfare.  I felt like everyone knew, and would feel less for me, because I was on "welfare".  There comes that nasty word 'pride' again.  The funny thing is, that maybe three people in the entire ward knew, and they kept it to themselves.  That is what you need, not advertising about something like that.  I believe it helps everyone, because I know I was not the only one in the world to have those feelings.  Believe it or not, it is not always easy to go and make those food orders, and unless you have a loving, supportive and inspired RSP like I did, the experience can be humiliating, degrading, scary and very unpleasant.  My RSP (we are still the VERY best of friends) loves me as a person, and never thought less of me for my circumstances.  It takes two humble hearts to fill a food order.  Knowing what to order and how much to order is really hit and miss for the first few times.  Our bishop's storehouse would get different things all the time, along with the basics, and that would be a treat.  My dear RSP also was concerned I was not ordering enough at times, and she would sneak a few items in (like bagged candy and nuts at Christmas and fresh fruit in the summer and fall when it was available after I had completed my order.) I also asked her to order me one of the Deseret cookbooks that are on the food order.  The recipes ARE very basic, and my RSP knew I knew how to cook from scratch, and asked me for some of my recipes...I felt quite honored, and she said she wanted to pass them around to the other sisters and families in the ward and possibly the stake who needed "fresh" ideas.

We were not also just "given" this food...callings were made to sustain this and our dignity, so that we were "repaying" our receipt of food.  They were little callings, and most had to do with the building welfare...turn off lights, make sure all doors were locked, and this was done every night after about 10pm.  We were lucky to live only two blocks from church, so it was no huge chore to get there.  You might think of some similar calling for your dear families.  As for myself, I felt I needed to accept every call that was given to me, regardless of what it was, and you know, I did.  It has been truly a wonderful experience, and the Lord blessed me and my family greatly for it.

One of the other things we had to do, was to go to the Bishops Storehouse and "shop" for others...It was truly a wonderful experience, because you got to help others as they were helping you.  (I once even got my OWN food order!).  You don't know the names or even the wards of the people you are shopping for, but it was a blast!  We even had "races" to see who could fill the orders the fastest.  I did have one experience there I will never forget.  It has to do with that word 'pride' again...We were there one day, filling the orders, and one sister I had admired and thought highly of, made the comment: "...I don't think it's fair that they can have three and four heads of lettuce, when I can't even afford to buy it for MY family..."  What really surprised me was her lack of charity and compassion, because I had always been told what a charitable person she was -- the fact that she and her husband were working and pulling in quite a bit of money (in other worlds, they could afford the lettuce) was beside the point.  I felt very sorry for her, for she did not understand the program.

Yes, there are those who use and abuse it, but then they should be weeded out and talked to by their bishop.  One of the things that our bishop said to us was, "...now that  you are on church assistance, I don't want you going out and buying a new car!"  We laughed all together, but we also understood the message he had given us...we also paid full tithing during this period.  I am sorry to have rambled on, but I wanted you all to see a different perspective on the Church Welfare program.  I hope I have given you a little insight  into those sister's hearts and thoughts...