Prior to enrolling in seminary, I carried out extensive anti-poverty work through Schuylkill Community Action. My work included daily case management services to people living in poverty.  I supervised a welfare-to-work program, provided emergency assistance to homeless families, and connected families with assistance for utilities.  I directed a network of food pantries that served 18,000 people during 1999.  After starting a matched-savings program for struggling families, I was a part of a small delegation representing Pennsylvania at a national anti-poverty conference in Austin, Texas in  March 2000.