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	Bill VanDeBoe and Zipporah Nevels, a Direct Support Professional prepare a delivery.

by Karen Jackson, Community Relations Manager, Des Moines, Iowa

Carefully they pick up the boxes of groceries and place them in the back of the van, just as they have done on and off for more than five years. When the van is full, they depart to the various homes scattered throughout the city to make their deliveries. Often, these men stop at up to ten different delivery locations in one morning.

Volunteering has become an important part of the lives of these four men from Mosaic's Francis House in Des Moines, Iowa. For the past five years, Nich, Gerrard, Bill and Steve have made a commitment to serve others by volunteering for a supplemental food distribution program run by Polk County. On an average of twice a week, the men of Francis House pick up canned goods at a central distribution area and deliver them to senior citizens throughout Des Moines.

"There is a lot of work involved on the part of the guys," said Zoyla Olguin, a direct support manager at Mosaic. "The cases of food are quite heavy." In additional to the physical work, the job requires knowledge of the streets and avenues of Des Moines. "The routes change all the time," said Olguin, "and each route can have up to ten different homes. Route maps have to be made up each time. This requires time and patience in route planning."

Every week these men, along with their staff, pick up boxes of groceries at the Polk County Supplemental Food Program distribution center and deliver them to people who are unable to come to the distribution center for the food. The four men have become regulars at the distribution center and the staff members look forward to having them come. The people on their delivery routes also look forward to their visits. The men of Francis House not only deliver food but deliver companionship as well since many of the people receiving the food deliveries do not have contact with anyone else during the day.

"These guys have shown up every week and do just what they need to do. Last year (2005) they put in over 696 volunteer hours," said Lynn Simmons, program specialist for the food program.

Bill VanDeBoe and Nich Carroll enjoy the 2006 Volunteer Recognition Event

This dedication did not go unnoticed. The four men were honored at the 2006 Volunteer Recognition Event "Inspire by Example" hosted by the United Way of Central Iowa. Dressed in their finest, the four men sat among many of Des Moines' most dedicated volunteers. It was an honor for them to be recognized. All the men thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony where people were celebrated for their accomplishments and dedication to others.

"It was a fabulous night and an opportunity for Nich and the guys to be celebrated for their volunteerism," said the Rev. Pamela Parker. "I think it sends a clear message to those of us who don't have some of the challenges the men of the Francis House have, that it is important to share our time with our community."

Although they have logged hundreds of miles picking up boxes of food and delivering them throughout the city, it's not the number of miles that is important, but the number of people that are helped week after week by these men. They live out Mosaic's mission of partnership to bring God's gift of wholeness of life to all people as an example of of how helping others helps us as well.