An offshoot of our Little Free Pantry and our LEAD Team’s emphasis on neighborhood partnerships, this program began operations during the state of emergency brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is the most recent report of this drive-through and walk-up feeding program supported by a number of neighborhood partners, serving out of our parking lot Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 am until 12 pm.
Report Week 10 Immanuel Feeding Ministry: May 23-28
There was a rebound in the number of people we distributed food to this week. We gave out 150 food bags compared to 120 the week before, despite fewer people on a rainy Thursday. When I greeted a woman with six children after a two week absence, she said in conversation that the stimulus check her family had received had helped them purchase food for a time. We continue to see two or more new people each distribution session.
In the beginning of May, food drives by Babylon Vault and the Lineboro-Manchester Lion’s Club, the Food Lion gift card, and Tree of Friends offer to turn over their food supply to us showered us with groceries. Those large food supplies have dwindled. It takes a lot of food to pack 150 food bags weekly. We ask for donations, shop, or often find that God has supplied just what we needed at the time; however our shelf food supply is at the stage where it needs to be replenished. We currently need canned vegetables, canned fruit, tuna, stews, soups, boxed mashed potatoes, and dinner mixes that use ground beef. Donations can be dropped off at church on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am until 1pm.
A huge thank you is extended to our volunteers this week: Jeanne Swain, Wendy Maloney, Heidi Hess, Debbie and Chris Miller, Judy Bixler, Jo Fleck, Carol Miller, Diana Reeb , Rhonda Kiler, Deb Hebrank, Rachel Murphy, Bobbi Planchon, Ashton and Tanner Eckhardt, and Karen Haines. Our volunteer Penny Ludwig from Trinity UCC who was hospitalized last week with a mild heart attack is recovering. We currently have 32 volunteers who work either in the pantry or distribute food. Steve Miller and Glenn Minnick continue to work diligently to make sure we have milk for our families. Steven often has short notice when we need to replenish our supply or when another delivery of milk is arriving. He is always gracious and accommodating. Glenn continues to provide large supplies of paper products weekly. We have 20 members from Immanuel participating, 7 from the 6 other churches involved, and 7 volunteers from our community. If you would like to be a part of this outreach, you are welcomed to join us. Contact Brenda Wulforst (443-507-6753) or me (410-746-0260). We’ll explain in more detail the responsibilities involved and how we keep ourselves and others safe while participating in this ministry.
Pets were well treated by our ministry partners this week! The mobile pet pantry for pets in need, mcqe, supplied food and supplies on Saturday. The Humane Society distributed pet food and supplies on Tuesday.
Here is a summary of our week 10 distributions:
Grocery Bags: 150
Snack bags: 145
Bread/rolls: 150
Milk: 115 containers
Eggs: 109 dozen
Cheese: 17 packs
Fresh fruit/vegetable bags, bananas: 93
Frozen chicken breasts (2): 77
Frozen hamburgers (4 pack): 32
Hot dog meals: 31
Sausage/bacon: 8
Apples: 80 bags
Potatoes: 51 bags
Coffee packets: 53
Pet food/supplies: 8 units
Butter: 28 lbs.
Gatorade (4 packs): 24
Protein drinks/juices: 17
Paper product/hygiene items: 68 bags
I’ve shared with you data about our volunteers and the food we distributed, but of course this ministry is most importantly about the people we serve. We see gratitude in the voices of young mothers whose families are struggling with reduced incomes. We reassure the first time visitors who sometimes seem uncomfortable accepting food from us. We converse with those who struggle with loneliness and isolation. We delight in seeing the children’s smiles when we offer a small toy or special treat. Led by God, we feed.
Christine Crouch
LEAD Facilitator
5/28/20