by Jill Ragar Esfeld
jill.esfeld@theleaven.org
OLATHE — At “almost 80,” Sharon Ward can no longer lift a quart of milk. But that doesn’t stop her from delivering milk, eggs, produce, bread and pastries to thousands of people in need — 363 days a year.
She rests on Christmas and Easter.
Ward, a member of Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe, doesn’t do this on her own. She coordinates a roster of 60 loyal volunteers, known as the Breadrunners, whom she directs to six grocery stores throughout Johnson County.
Stores donate an assortment of products that are overstocked, out of season or close to their expiration dates — anything from eggs to vegetables to mittens and socks.
Breadrunners then transport donations to more than a dozen charities, shelters and food pantries.
“We don’t stick just with the Catholics,” said Ward. “We go everywhere.”
“Absolutely,” agreed Breadrunner Ed Hemberger. “That’s the thing about Catholics. We serve everyone.”
Ward started organizing the Breadrunners almost 20 years ago when an elderly woman volunteering with Catholic Charities asked if she could help collect bread products from local stores.
“I said okay,” Ward recalled. “And that was the beginning. The next thing I know, the lady retired, and she passed away.
“By that time, I was up to my knees in it — and just kept going.”
Ward based her operation through Prince of Peace but her volunteers are from all over, and Ward’s organizational skills make volunteering easy and fun.
“She runs the schedules,” said Breadrunner Dick Cahill. “When there’s a problem, she fills in for people. She’s the glue that holds us all together and makes it very rewarding.”
Ward admits she’s not good with computers, but she has just enough technical savvy to organize the group.
“I mean you couldn’t have 60 people running all around the street not knowing exactly where they’re going,” she said. “I’ve got it broken down by the week and the store, the person that’s picking it up and where they’re taking it.
“So, at the risk of sounding snobbish about it, it’s very well organized.”
Ward tries her best to schedule people according to the cargo capacity of their vehicles — making sure those with trucks go to the stores with the most product.
“I tell people, I don’t want you to have to make two trips, because at that point, then it’s turned into work,” she said. “And we don’t want it to be like work. We want this to be a fun activity.”
The grocery stores know the Breadrunners and have products for donation gathered, scanned and in carts ready for pick up.
Some products go to Ward’s garage where she has six freezers for storage.
“Well, when we go down to St. Mary’s soup kitchen (now known as the Wilhelmina Gill Multi-Service Center), that takes 1,000 cookies,” she explained. “And then the Sisters of Charity put on a dinner for the poor people in Leavenworth, so I give them 600 cookies every month.”
Hemberger and Cahill are Ward’s right-hand men because, she quips, “They have trucks.”
Both are Prince of Peace parishioners and have been on the Breadrunners team for about five years.
“The thing that I find very rewarding is the fact that you’re able to do stuff with your spare time that benefits other people,” said Cahill.
Reilly agreed, calling Breadrunners the hands and feet of Jesus.
“A lot of people have no idea about the need here in Johnson County,” he said. “I mean people are hungry everywhere through no fault of their own.
“And if you can give them a helping hand, then, well, I’ll quote Pope Francis, ‘When you die, the only thing you take with you is what you gave away.’”
After 20 years, Ward has no intention of giving up her role as organizer of the Breadrunners.
“I’d probably have to die to get out of this job,” she chuckled.
“I look at it this way,” she continued. “I’ve never been hungry, so I don’t know what it’s like.
“God’s been good to me, so I’m just looking out for other poor souls that need help.”
And she has a daily practice that keeps her going.
“I thank God every morning that I get up,” she said. “And I ask him, ‘Please don’t let me fall down.’ On my next birthday, I’ll be 80 years old, so there’s nothing young and refreshing about me.
“So, I just thank God every day and say, ‘You give me the strength to do your will.’”
Become a Breadrunner
The Breadrunners are always in need of volunteers, especially those who have vehicles with large cargo space. If you’re interested in helping, visit: popolathe.org/breadrunners.
