You've Got the Wrong Area Code

I'm sure that there has come a point in everyone's life that they felt has been their lowest. I know for me and my family things have just been rough financially, and with seven people in our household sometimes the ends just don't meet. What I am about to tell you is so appalling that even I had to say ten hail mary's and I'm not even Catholic!

As I said earlier, it has been a bit rough around the house and food had gotten quite low. I took it upon myself to look for help and I just happened upon a few different churches and organizations that had food banks or pantries that were for people in obvious need. My sister and I got all excited because we had been riding this particular side of town for nearly and hour trying to find this one place so imagine our joy when we did find it. We pulled up and sure enough there was someone outside on the ramp getting several bags of groceries put in their truck. Well, the people didn't look like they were in need, but then again who says you have to look the part because you live it? My sister and I get out of the car slightly nervous because we've never done this before and I suppose for a second pride tried to take over, none the less we shook it off and went on in the buliding. As she sort of stood back and let me take over, I walked a bit until I came to an office where this gentleman sat. I politely asked, "Could you tell me where the food bank is and how do go about making use of it?"

The gentlemen sniveled his nose at me and says,"The food pantry?" Taken aback, I sheepishly said, "Yes." He pointed toward the hall and said, "Go back to the room with all the chairs and wait. Someone will be out to interview you." Wow, that's pretty corporate for an organization that helps people in need don't you think? Well, we go into the room he spoke of and was fakely greeted by two older ladies who looked as if they were one of the wax figures on the horror film, "Insidious". At this point I had shivers running down my spine and my sister had backed up to let me do all the talking period. "Yes, I said, I'm here to get some food and I was wondering what your procedure was?" Suddenly I felt as if I were asking to get a loan for plastic surgery.

The first wax figure (lady) smiled so tight that I thought the stitching would come out of her eye brows. "Yes ma'am. You're here to get food? Do you need help?" Okay, didn't I just say that? "Yes. I was wondering how do I go about it. I have never been here before", I said evenly. At this point my sister and I were definitely getting the once over. We weren't shabbily dressed, we didn't look like the stereotypical "ghetto black folks", and our speech was impeccable. Wow, these old prudes must be about to bust out of their seams! Anyway, the first lady says, "Well, I'll need your I.D. and your social security card, and a piece of mail with your address on it." Now here's where the problem comes in. First off, I'm here because I have a family to feed, not because I need to get approved for a loan so why need all of that? You're SunnySide Ministries, you're a christian based organization so why all the strict regulation stuff?

I politely asked why was my social security number needed and you know what the answer was? The first lady looks at the other lady then back at me and goes, "I don't know, just because." Just because what? Just because I'm black and you want to see if I'm a career food pantry hopper? Or are you just keeping track of the different race and class groups that come to you for help? My sister hops up, "Oh I may have a piece of mail in my purse. I'll go to the car and get it!" While she was gone that left just me sitting there with those two creepy wax figured-like ladies staring at me incessantly. The first lady starts talking about how they only help people in their area code and me not paying attention to what she was actually saying, I just nodded politely. I think the sound got drowned out by the unbelievable creepiness of it all. Next thing I know she's handing me back my license and social security card and she says, "I'm sorry we can't help you. You don't live in our area code. We only help 27107 and 27127, you're in 27101."

Okay, so what if Jesus said, "I'm sorry I can't save you. You don't live next door to me.?