October 19, 2023

Abra Nyanya is a neighbor of Galilee who attends Yahweh Shammah Ministry in Sterling. During the summer, she enrolled her two sons in Galilee’s Vacation Bible School. It was then that she inquired about opportunities to serve at our church, since she lives nearby. Abra decided to volunteer at Backpack Buddies.

Each week, Abra packs over 200 bags for our weekly food distribution. She volunteers because she loves helping where she can to spread God’s love. That’s a an opportunity that all people deserve! We’re happy to say that Abra, who has lived in the United States for ten years, took the oath on September 30 and became a U.S. citizen. 

Abra has another distinction, in that she’s among the first Backpack Buddies volunteers to test out our new “positioner lift truck,” a device that helps users move heavy bins while packing food.

Abra Nyanya has no trouoble lifting bins, but she gamely tested Galilee’s new “positioner lift truck”

Because all people can serve as the body of Christ, Galilee is committed to increasing accessibility for those who need a helping hand to do it.

Longtime church member Kathy Butler wears the hat of Business Manager at Galilee. She explains, “We have many seniors and people with special needs who would like to help with BPB, but who can’t do the heavy lifting. That’s what prompted the purchase of the lift truck. Also, when Felicia Johnson, Bruce Adams and I moved 480 bags of food items recently donated by a nonprofit, my sore muscles made me realize just how heavy some of those bins are!”

“The money for the lift truck came from generous gifts in memory of Jere Devlin. Jere and her husband Hugh were much loved members who worshipped at the Chapel at Lansdowne Woods. They sponsored children in our Backpack Buddies program, which was a cause dear to their hearts. This purchase will make it possible for their fellow Chapel members to assist in packing food without concern for injuries caused by lifting heavy containers.”

If you’re in our Backpack Buddies pantry soon, do not be afraid of the large blue device you see there. It’s easy to use.

“The lift truck works like a small electric forklift. The operator can scoot a heavy bin onto the table portion of the lift, then raise or lower the bin by pushing a button. The lift raises the bins almost 6 feet high, so it can reach the high shelves in the pantry. It’s very easy (and fun!) to use, so even those of us who aren’t “mechanically inclined” can use it,” says Kathy.

Students from Dominion High School’s special education program are regular packers for Backpack Buddies

The lift is just the latest accessibility feature at Galilee. Galilee was specifically built with no internal stairs that could impede folks with physical challenges from accessing our facility. There’s a ramp for every space in the building, the main doors are automatic, and all doors have handles rather than knobs. Handyman Bruce Adams is hard at work updating the restrooms nearest to our food pantry to be single occupant and stall-free, so they are more accessible for folks with mobility devices and physical limitations.

Whatever your gifts or limitations, you have a place at Backpack Buddies and at Galilee.

We thank all the folks who bring their gifts to help at Backpack Buddies. People like Abra Nyanya, the congregation at the Chapel, and the students of Dominion High School…and people like you.