SANDUSKY — For Courtney Reyna, the government shutdown and the prospect that families in Sandusky might get cut off from receiving SNAP benefits beginning this month, was weighing heavily on her mind.
An early Wednesday morning vision, sparked by a humble box of ramen noodles and a conversation with God, led Reyna to launch an immediate food effort to support them during this period of uncertainty.
In a recent interview, Reyna shared the powerful, faith-driven inspiration behind her rapid, non-gimmicky effort to provide essential food supplies for school-aged children and families in need.
Call to action
The catalyst for the entire operation was a moment of profound clarity during prayer. Concerned about families facing potential school snack benefit losses, Reyna woke up Oct. 29 seeking divine guidance.
“I asked God, what can I do?” Reyna recounts.
While tidying up, she found her answer in the most unexpected place: a simple pantry item.
“I was praying, and I was putting away stuff, and I was looking at a box of ramen, and I thought, I could feed so many with a little bit of this,” she said.
This spark of inspiration—that even the smallest resources, like a box of ramen, could multiply to feed many—drove her to immediate action.
From vision to volunteer effort
Reyna, who leads a long-standing ministry called Power & Purpose, wasted no time. She decided to focus on providing simple, packaged after-school snacks to help tide students over between dismissal and dinner.
The necessary resources appeared almost immediately after her prayer.
“I told the Lord, I said, ‘with just $60, I can make a difference in somebody’s life. I could at least give something for at least some after-school snacks,’” Reyna shared. “I ran into my friend Jared, and he handed me $75 without me telling him any of the story and conversation with God.“
She took this as a clear confirmation of her call to action. By Wednesday night, just hours after the vision, she had posted on her personal and community Facebook pages (Sheba Reyna and Power & Purpose) asking for assistance.
Taking church out of the pews
Reyna’s ministry is a discipleship program focused on serving people outside traditional church walls. This food drop is a perfect example of that mission.
“What it is, is taking church out of the pews,” she explained, aiming to provide a safe space for those who feel disconnected from or intimidated by formal religious settings.
She emphasizes that the aid is judgment-free and requires no hoops to jump through, mirroring a spirit of unconditional giving.
“I don’t think Jesus was taking attendance when he was turning the fish into enough to feed 5,000,” Reyna noted. “I don’t think he cared who it was. So you’re following a good example.”
How to help
The food drop is organized to be simple and efficient, running Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. when Reyna is available while waiting for her preschool-aged son.
Reyna asks that donations remain simple and packaged to maintain hygiene and manage the volume. She is looking for monetary support via Cash App, Venmo, or Chime, or gift cards to Walmart or Sam’s Club.
Volunteers are also welcome to help with packing and spreading joy:
Packaging: On Friday, Hope City and Power and Purpose are teaming up to package the collected items.
Decorating: Reyna is encouraging parents to bring their kids to decorate the bags to “kind of bring joy” and set a positive tone for the recipients.
To contribute or find a helping hand during these uncertain times, contact Courtney Reyna through her personal Facebook page, Sheba Reyna, or the ministry’s page, Power & Purpose.
