Priscilla came to The Root Cellar looking for food, but through faithful relationships, persistent prayer, and the love of Christ, she found something far greater. This is a story of how God uses ordinary acts of kindness to welcome people home.

As I prepare to finish my time at The Root Cellar this July, I want to share a few reflections on God's faithfulness, the people who shaped me, and why I am more hopeful for this ministry than ever.

Over the years, I’ve been blessed to work alongside many incredible people who have freely offered their gifts, talents, and time to the neighbors of The Root Cellar. Some stay for a short while. Some for a season. Some for a year.

And then there are the few who become an integral part of the story that God is authoring at The Root Cellar.

Damon Crouse is one of those people.

This week marks Damon’s final week as an employee of The Root Cellar, and while transitions like this are part of ministry life, some are harder than others. We gathered together yesterday with about a hundred neighbors, former staff, volunteers, kids, and of course a few dozen teens—each wanting to share just how much Damon has meant to them and honor his incredible contribution to this ministry.

We all agreed: you cannot replace a Damon Crouse.