NewsChannel 3 is recognizing a retiree who is taking action to give back to his community.
His name is John Shaw, but folks at one Norfolk retirement community know him just as Pastor John. And the sermon his actions preach is "It's better to give than receive."
He shows up faithfully on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The residents at Stonebridge Manor can always count on Pastor John. He's a Navy retiree who later became ordained. He never had a church. He feels handing out free groceries is his calling.
With the help of his daughter. Pastor John first stops at a nearby grocery store, gathering an assortment of food that would've been tossed out. It's food that's still safe to eat but approaching the grocery stores' best if sold by date.
He's been doing this for 10 years. The residents are grateful. Many of them are on fixed incomes and wrote to us about how Pastor John is taking action.
Some wrote, thanks to Pastor John, they don't have to choose between healthy food and their medication. One resident wrote, "I don`t worry about where my next meal will come from. He has made my life better. I love him."
And because of that we presented Pastor John with a NewsChannel 3 People Taking Action Award along with a $100 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank.
"Thank you all so very much. Bless you all," said Pastor John.
"I don't like recognition, I don't, because this is God's work not mine! But I thank you folks so much from the bottom of my heart. I will never forget this day."
