Thanks to a generous local grower and a hardworking group of student volunteers, Crosslines guests recently received a sweet — and healthy — surprise.
Randy Little and the team at Missouri Berries graciously donated hundreds of pounds of fresh, locally grown blueberries to Crosslines Community Outreach. The fruit was perfectly ripe, packed with nutrients, and a rare treat for families who often rely on shelf-stable pantry items.
But the gift didn’t stop at the farm.
Dozens of teenagers from Youth Ministry 360 rolled up their sleeves and spent the day helping harvest the berries. With buckets in hand and smiles on their faces, these young volunteers made quick work of a big task — turning hours in the field into hope on the table.
“We were blown away by the generosity of Missouri Berries and the energy of these students,” said Nathan Mortenson, Food Services Program Manager at Crosslines. “This is what community looks like: local businesses, young leaders, and nonprofits coming together to care for our neighbors.”
Fresh produce is one of the most requested — and hardest to supply — items at the Crosslines pantry. This special delivery made it possible to send home something both nourishing and joyful to hundreds of families.
One guest arrived at the food pantry, shocked to see all the containers of fresh, ripe Missouri berries. Her husband, a diabetic, had been told to eat more blueberries, but the cost of even a quart each week was well out of their budget. Her eyes filled with tears when she realized an entire gallon was hers to take home. This amazing partnership made a difference in their lives, and we may never know how many others!
To Randy Little and the Missouri Berries team: thank you for sharing the bounty! To the amazing volunteers from Youth Ministry 360: thank you for sharing the “fruits of your labor!”
Because of you, our neighbors didn’t just get food — they got dignity, delight, and a taste of summer sweetness.