Each year around this time we like to pause and be thankful for what the Lord has given us. We have many things in our life to be thankful for and I am reminded everyday when I wake up and am able to share experiences with my wife, kids and employees. We are healthy for starters, because if you don’t have your health, it is an uphill battle. Every day I pray for the health of my family, friends and people that are in desperate need of the necessities of life. I am fortunate to get up and do what I love to do everyday, and every day when I go to sleep I hope I have made a difference in someone’s life. Every person has that opportunity every day, some of us just have to look harder on how we can help that person in need. Whether it is just a friendly hello or letting the car ahead of you in line, we never know what that particular person is experiencing that day.
Our mission around the farm is to feed people. We work twenty hours a day at times and sleep in pickups, sprayers, or tractors. I spend countless hours worrying if our company is headed in the right direction and what we can do better for our customers and employees. One of our problems we have always had is the overproduction of vegetables at certain times of the year because of the weather, timing issues, or just a poor salesman (me). Five years ago we partnered with Second Harvest to donate extra produce at cost that is on hand to help feed the unfortunate. To date we have donated over four million pounds of food that would have gone to waste. This past year we donated sweet corn, cabbage, cucumbers, peppers and squash at certain times of the year when overproduction would have warranted just discing the crop under. Our employees have embraced this program and are proud to be a part in making someone else’s life a bit easier by knowing that they will be able to eat that day.
As the Holiday season gets heated up, take a step back and be thankful for what you have and reach out to those who are less fortunate. Life is precious and the more we give, the more we receive. God Bless you and have a Merry Christmas!
Gary, your comments are inspiring. We all need to appreciate our blessings and be kind and helpful.
You and your family are giving to many.
Yes Gary, your comments warmed my heart as
I read about your goal to bring some sunshine into someone else’s life.
It seems these days that so many are just looking out for themselves.
It was encouraging to hear God is so alive at Pahl’s. Thankfully, jan Knott