Feeding the Hungry

Food Pantry

 

Our food pantry was started to help support the times we went to serve at Oasis, homeless and Mrs. Woodhouse. This has grown into a ministry all on its own. We have helped so many families it is impossible to count (well we do now in order to track of the 5000). Some examples are as follows:

Example 1: A family was put in a terrible financial position when the father was arrested (later to find out wrongfully arrested). He was the sole provider and this left the mother to care for three young children and a teenager. The rent was due and there was nothing to eat in the house. Through a counselor working with the family, we set the family up with groceries enough to cover a couple of weeks. We even had fruit juice, kids’ cereal, and cookies in the pantry. The family was appreciative. This got them by enough until other supportive services were put into place. The mother got a part-time job and the father eventually got out of jail and got his job back.

Example 2: We supported a family who moved here from Mexico. The father was a construction worker and the mother a waitress. The father was unable to work due to weather they fell short of money. The food pantry provided enough assistance to get them through until he was able to get paid again.

Example 3: A mother with two teenage boys just got back on her feet and into her own place. We provided groceries to help get them started and have that extra financial edge.

These are some examples of families we have supported over the years. We do not ask why they are in the situation nor do we qualify the family. Whether it is bad luck or poor choices we support because we can.

In 2001, we served over 4000 meals and set the goal of feeding the 5000. In 2002, we just met that goal by serving 5007 meals. This year we served over 5500 meals and are shooting for the goal of 6000 for the next year. This will take much support from everyone at St. Christopher’s. From bringing in canned and boxed goods every week, helping prepare meals for the homeless or praying for our outreach programs. Everyone has a part in this ministry.