Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

was the most efficient method of distributing food where general famine conditions prevailed, and we concede the first place to that form of relief-work, also for Russia, because of its economy and fairness in the distribution of the rations, and because all the food remained under the direct control of the committee until received by the spe- cific individual for whom it was provided. The food-draft system gave a larger amount of food into the control of the individual at one time, who might or might not use it advantageously; and further, there was the possibility that a select number of individuals might receive the food while others just as needy, or even more so, might be overlooked. Nevertheless, as a supplement to child feeding, this method proved very advantageous, because it enabled one to help individuals who were not within reach of the public kitchen, and provided a way for doing something special for one’s relatives and friends. THE ARRIVAL OF THE First Foop REMITTANCE PACKAGE The people who received food packages, were really grateful for them, as the following letter shows: “Thou, O God, hast prepared of Thy goodness for the Poor.” Psalm 68:10. How inexpressibly great was the joy when in April, 1922, the first food-draft package arrived from America! Since Christmas food had been getting scarcer and scarcer; the slices of bread that were carefully passed on to each child had been growing smaller and smaller. Finally, no more bread graced our table. Hungry we sat down at the table, partook quietly of the thin broth, and hungry we arose again from the table. Pale and more pale grew the thin faces of the children, and worried and more worried were those of the parents. Only after one has been without the daily bread for some time, can he learn to understand the fourth petition in our Lord’s Prayer, and to pray with a sincerity that comes from the depths of the soul, “Give us this day our daily bread.” FOOD AND CLOTHING REMITTANCES 285 Suddenly God’s answer to our petitions had come. The children came running in one day, “Papa, mamma, A FOOD PACKAGE FOR US has come! The man said so. Papa, when shall we get it?’ “Right away, children.” “May I go along, papa?” “TI too?’ “Yes children, come.” The push cart was brought, and away they marched in double quick time to fetch the prized treasure of food. Triumphantly the small band returned after a short time. “Mamma, we have much, very much flour, and it is all white!” “And rice, and tea,’ so they called and shouted in a jubilant chorus of children’s voices. “And some sugar too!” called the smallest one as he gleefully waved his hand. Christmas cheer and joy reigned supreme in the home. With respectful anxiety the little ones encircled father and mother as the packages were opened, and renewed cheering broke out, as the treasures appeared one after the other. “O mother, now you can bake bread again,” “and biscuits too!” adde