The idea that there are some things that can only be accomplished when people come together could not have been more true as members of the Highlands Ranch community volunteered over 2,000 volunteer hours for the Feeding of the 5,000 raising 40,000 pounds of food for Denver Urban Ministries (DenUM) this weekend.
The three-day event brought in enough non-perishable food for DenUM to supply food to Denver's hungry for over five weeks.
"It was freaking phenomenal," said James Ramsey, Director of Music Ministry and the Arts at St. Luke's.
St. Luke's ended its celebration of its 25 th year as a congregation by inviting the community to make a difference in the world.
"Or helping to make the world different," said Rev. Janet Forbes of St. Luke's.
Volunteers from St. Luke's United Methodist Church, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Parker United Methodist Church, the Highlands Ranch and greater Denver communities came together in many different ways to make this event possible. Volunteers helped distribute paper bags to houses in local neighborhoods, collect food at the grocery stores and load donated food into semi trucks to take to DenUM.
"The Feeding of the 5,000 wasn't just a success in the amount of food we raised but in the effect that it had on the community," said Rev. Brad Laurvick of St. Luke's.
The sense of community continued on into Saturday and Sunday evenings with special worship services. The theme of the food drive and the services was U2, indicating that the event needed everyone in order to make a difference. St. Luke's Fusion band played songs by U2, combining worship and communion for two memorable nights.
"The services were an amazing fusion of music, social justice issues, and the care and love of the community," said Laurvick.
Local community members weren't the only ones getting involved in the food drive. Transportation Logistics Management provided the semi trucks to take the food from St. Luke's to DenUM. Four local King Soopers opened their storefronts to allow volunteers to collect donations and further bring people together.
The success that came from this food drive has left the community eager to start thinking about the possibilities of next year's annual event.
"This is the first time that the (Highlands Ranch) community has had a food drive of this magnitude," said. Laurvick. "With the experience from this year, we can involve more people next year, harnessing the excitement and watching it grow."
Laurvick said that the event did not solve hunger in Denver but addressed needs and hope for tomorrow.
"In the Feeding of the 5,000, an ancient story from the Bible, we celebrate the feeding of family after family, first on the shore of the Sea of Galilee in the first century and in Denver in the 21 st," said Rev. Forbes.