Zelie man inspired to 'Feed My Sheep'
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John Heller/Post-Gazette George Ford, center, who runs Feed My Sheep ministries, distributes sandwiches in Downtown Pittsburgh.
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One day more than 11 years ago, George Ford sat reading his Bible and came across John 21:17. In that passage, Jesus tells Peter: "Feed my sheep."
"That really hit my heart," said Mr. Ford, of Zelienople.
He was so inspired that he began making trips -- eight in all -- to the Bowery Mission in New York City to help feed homeless people.
Back home, he started working with a man who spent one Saturday each month helping homeless people in Downtown Pittsburgh. While helping, he met a homeless woman and asked her if she'd like some bread.
She told Mr. Ford that a church Downtown used to feed homeless people, but that it hadn't done so for at least two years. She said all she really wanted was a bologna sandwich with some cheese.
Thus was born Feed My Sheep Ministry, which Mr. Ford operates out of his home.
From about 7 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday and Wednesday, he and a crew of roughly a half-dozen volunteers distribute food, clothing, toiletries and a kind word to 30 to 60 homeless people on the Boulevard of the Allies, Downtown.
He doesn't distribute the items during the first week of the month, he said, because the needy often have Social Security or other income at that time.
A retired carpenter, Mr. Ford said his former wife would prepare full-course meals for the homeless when the ministry first started.
"She didn't want to do it any other way," he said.
He eventually scaled back to the fare he distributes these days: soup, sandwiches, bread, doughnuts, water, coffee and hot chocolate.
Much of the food and other items are donated, but some of the expense comes from his pocket. He didn't want to say how much of his money is spent on the ministry.
The soup and coffee that is distributed now comes from Randy Herbe and his Zelienople restaurant, the Z-town Cafe.
Mr. Herbe said he met Mr. Ford at a Zelienople-Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce function and immediately was drawn to his selfless effort to help those in need.
"He's someone who puts his money where his mouth is," he said. "He told me that he does what he does to serve God and for no other reason. That was good enough for me."
Mr. Herbe said he learned that Mr. Ford was preparing the food at his home in the Passavant Retirement Community in Zelienople, and he knew it would be much easier to use the large commercial equipment at his restaurant, so the two started working together.
Mr. Herbe's work schedule usually doesn't permit him to volunteer his time Downtown with Feed My Sheep, but at Christmas, he prepared a turkey dinner and was able to go with Mr. Ford to distribute it.
Mr. Herbe said the experience was an eye-opener.
"I thought I was going to find people looking for a free meal, but I found that they were people just like you and me," he said. "They were just normal people who had some hard luck."
Mr. Ford said he'd like to start working with those who have no home at least one Saturday each month and he'd also like to be able to seek out those who need help but either can't or won't come to his distribution site.
Something he would like to see in Pittsburgh is more public drinking fountains that homeless people could use.
He's always looking for more volunteers, he said, and he can offer hours of community service for those who need them.
Those who work with him find they get more out of it than they give, he said.
"I always tell new people that it's an experience that will blow their socks off."
To volunteer for Feed My Sheep Ministry or to make a donation, call George Ford at 724-612-5371.
First Published April 27, 2008 12:00 am
