What do dumpster diving and tilapia have in common? Any guesses? It would seem hard to find a common ground between these two things. However, when tilapia and dumpster diving are meshed together with the heart of a servant, something AMAZING can happen. Sometime back in the late 80’s, a man began dumpster diving behind stores for products that were able to be re-purposed to help those living in poverty. Thirty or so years later, this dumpster diver has faithfully followed God’s leading to operate two ministries to serve the people of Southern California and Mexico.
Hidden away in the hills southeast of L.A. is a little known ministry with a huge impact. We were blessed to be able to serve with them through a mutual friend. The ministry Jacobs Well was established by Pastor Robert and Patricia Town in 1990. His days of dumpster diving turned into an amazing non profit organization to re-purpose and distribute products. The ministry further developed in 2010 with a sister organization known as Panes y Peces in Mexico. Be sure to check out both websites.
Jacobs Well: The mission “To bring relief to our local communities and abroad. We do this by collecting products from every source possible and in turn distributing to every possible need.” Jacob’s Well is a green organization, taking supplies and equipment that would often end up in a landfill and redeem it for use here in the United States as well as Mexico.
Panes y Peces :The mission: ” to work toward just and sustainable environments within the poor and impoverished communities of Mexico establishing food security within those communities using Aquaponics. The Aquaponics Eco-system includes indigenous plants and ancient grains of Southern Mexico with the addition of Tilapia, a native fish of Africa and the Middle East. This system is completely self-sustaining and once established will be self propagating for field, fish, family, and livestock.
This will also establish economic security by producing marketable edibles, and producing certain oils for Bio-fuels, cosmetics, medicines and cooking. The Aquaponics Eco-systems are put into place at no cost to the recipients. All costs of materials, labor, teaching, training and instruction is be undertaken by Panes y Peces Mexico and its donors.
Finding amazing organizations to serve alongside has been somewhat of a challenge as we travel. Our family was able to work in both the warehouse and the Aqua-ponics farm several times over the winter months. Though the workers are few, the joy and spirit of giving was overwhelming. If you are ever in the southern California area and want to serve with an organization that is making meaningful impact, definitely contact Joe at Jacobs Well. It was a blessing and a privilege to work with this amazing team.
WHAT WE DID and WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW TO VOLUNTEER:
We were able to serve in both areas of ministry. In the warehouse area, there was much sorting, inspecting, moving and marking products (food and other items) that have been donated to the ministry. This job entailed some heavy lifting in some areas. Closed toe shoes were a requirement to work in the warehouse. In the aquaponics farm, the jobs varied from sanding seedling trays, planting seeds, cleaning the fish tanks, moving pvc piping and harvesting plants. Children and teens were welcome additions to the team, however MUST be closely supervised at all times by parents or adults in charge.
seeding trays
