Pagpag (James 2:15-17)

I arrived one hour before the farmer’s market was closing. I donned a special green apron and picked up an empty plastic crate, joining a group of three other workers. A few minutes before the farmer’s market closed to the public, we would go around to each vendor, introduce ourselves, and ask them if they had any extra food they would like to donate to feed the homeless and hungry. 

We were gleaning by volunteering with this organization. There were other organizations who also joined us, all providing a noble and vital service, delivering nourishing and safe meals to the hungry. Unfortunately, there are many people in the world who only survive by eating food left over at outdoor tables or found in dumpsters. In the Philippines, this practice is known as Pagpag. At the end of the workday, workers descend upon the dumpsters outside of restaurants, collecting food scraps left over by diners. Some of the prized finds are chicken bones that still have shards of meat. Collecting these scraps of food, they are either resold to a Pagpag restaurant or taken home by the worker to be prepared into new dishes that are then re-sold to the public. The price of one of these meals is a fraction of a similar meal from the restaurants where the scraps were retrieved. All of the participants are aware of the potential health hazards of eating food that has been mixed with rotting garbage and partially eaten by others. However, for all, there is no choice. This is the only meal they can afford. As one Pagpag owner bluntly observed, “There are tons of food waste because those who can afford it don’t care if they have to finish all the food. But think about those who don’t even have a chance to go eat in the restaurant. Sometimes I think it’s unfair that they can throw away food scraps easily because they got money. But I kind of feel lucky as well because that’s why we can have food like this.”

The stark reality of poverty afflicts every country and city in this world. There are many reasons for poverty such as war, natural disasters, and oppressive government regimes, but the end result is the same. People are hungry and will do nearly anything to eat. Whether is through activities such as gleaning, direct financial support, or working to remove the socioeconomic barriers that lead to poverty, all Christians are commanded by God to assist the poor. We must always back our prayers with practical and thoughtful actions. When we do this, we are following God’s commands.

Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

James 2:15-17 (NLT)

When we serve the poor, we are serving Jesus Christ.

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” Then these righteous ones will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will say, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”

Matthew 25:34-40 (NLT)

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.