Colette Weier

For Colette Weier, it was the example of one man, Woody Skaff, that originally spurred her interest in servicing the needs of the downtown community.

Weier, one of the lead organizers of the weekly neighborhood breakfast program at First Presbyterian Church of Flint, followed Skaff's lead during a tough time in her life.

"I started coming down to serve at the breakfast program because of Woody," said Weier. "I had heard when he was hurting because of a loss he instead got outside of his pain and sought to help another. I had suffered a loss, was hurting and did the same."

Weier, who serves alongside her husband, Jim, has been blessed many times over since making the decision to reach out.

"I find the program to be a blessing for many reasons," said Weier, the mother of one teenaged daughter, Taylor. "There's a need most definitely. There is a something that happens when you help another for that person in need and yourself. I wanted also to set an example for my daughter through action, not just words.
"Action is a strong reinforcer."

Weier believes that selfless service is the motivating force behind effecting real change in our communities.
"I say that if you want to make a change, it will happen, one person doing one thing at a time," she said.

Weier is grateful for the continued support offered by the congregation at FPCF, which has been very active working as a partner with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.

"(FPCF) has supported programs the food bank has offered to the community at-large," she said. "We've held food drives and had in-services at our church for the food bank."

And there's always a job to be done, and Weier encourages anyone with a heart for service to join the ranks.
"You can volunteer stocking shelves or emptying boxes; all it takes is a call, and a little time," she said. "Whatever you have, all you need is a willingness to make the world a little better place."

Serving 22 counties, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan provides food to those in need through nearly 400 non-profit, partner agencies. Supported by a tremendous network of local and national community partners, FBEC is dedicated to helping others and making a difference.

For more information or to volunteer your time to the mission of the FBEC, call (810) 239-4441. Check them out on the web at www.fbem.org/