St. Paul woman delivers food to friends, strangers
The COVID-19 crisis may be difficult, but it has validated an important truth: Tough times can bring out the best in people. Donate now.
A great example is a woman named Jyssica of St. Paul (pictured). For the past three weeks, she has been stopping by the West 7th Salvation Army in St. Paul to pick up groceries for people who are unable to leave their homes.
Jyssica is not affiliated with any organization; she is serving others simply because it is the right thing to do. Even more impressive: Many of the people she delivers food to are strangers.
“My goal is for others to see the spirit of Christ in a crisis, and see His loving kindness for them,” Jyssica said.
She finds people to help by texting her friends and posting messages on Facebook Live and Facebook Marketplace. Every time she sends a shout-out, a handful of people respond that they need food or they know someone who does.
Jyssica’s first distribution happened two weeks ago, when she’d heard that the West 7th Salvation Army was giving away excess produce that would otherwise spoil during the weekend.
"We gave Jyssica 13 boxes of produce to give to her neighbors,” said Lt. Jonathan Taube, leader of the West 7th Salvation Army, where the need for food has risen at an astronomic rate. “We plan to load her up again.”
Jessica packed the boxes into her minivan (pictured) and used the food to serve nearly 20 households.
“I drove around for five hours,” Jyssica said. “A lot of the people were single moms and senior citizens. Everyone kept thanking me. My response was to God be all the glory, and thank The Salvation Army.”
Last week, Jyssica delivered a food box to a St. Paul mother named Crystal (pictured). Crystal works as a phlebotomist, but lately her hours have been cut. She and her husband have three kids, ages 1, 5 and 7.
“Money is tight with rent and utility bills – it’s hard,” Crystal said. “It’s a blessing to not have to pay for food to feed my family. There’s a lot of us, and we eat a lot.”
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, The Salvation Army has been amazed to see hundreds of people like Jyssica go above and beyond in their efforts to volunteer or give money – all in the name of doing good and spreading the love of Jesus Christ.
“I’m just one person and I can’t help everybody, but I can help somebody,” Jyssica said. “There’s always somebody.”
Please join The Salvation Army in serving those affected by the COVID-19 crisis by giving a donation or signing up to volunteer. Your help will provide emergency assistance and hope for people and families in desperate need.
If you are feeling lonely, fearful or hopeless due to the COVID-19 crisis, call our Emotional and Spiritual Care Hotline at 877-220-4195 anytime between 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Central Time. Trained Salvation Army officers, employees and volunteers will be available to talk, listen to you, and pray for you.