Wednesdays: Food Pantry/Dinner Program Update
February 19th, 2008 | Uncategorized
After much hard work, we’ve made it half way through the month of February! That means in a few weeks our food programs have been up and running for four months. We almost done with the process of applying to participate in the food bank system.
At a gathering last month, food program several volunteers committed to taking the required NYC food prep class, others offered to give our kitchen the deep cleaning it so needs, and a handful are now working on fundraising and writing grants.
Many of you have wondered, just who volunteers at the food pantry and soup kitchen? Several of the folks are members of our church, but far more are concerned neighbors who are looking for a way serve their community. Our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds. Several have no faith life, others grew up in a church, but do not participate any more. Some are Catholic, others are Jewish, and some are Protestant. Many heard about the program through local newspaper coverage or via a neighborhood blog. A lot of folks first came because they are friends with someone else who volunteers.
If you’re interested in helping, feel free to show up Wednesdays between 4pm and 7pm. For those of you who work late, we still need folks at 7pm to help clean up - your aid would be very much appreciated.
Greenpoint Community Counseling Center
December 7th, 2007 | Uncategorized
Disappointment. Anger. Sadness. Grief. Experiencing emotions are a part of living life to its fullest. Sometimes we need help working through some of life’s more difficult issues, and often we discover we’re seeking a spiritual answer.
Through a partnership with the Blanton-Peale Institute, our church is now able to offer individual and family counseling sessions with a licensed social worker.
Porter Canon combines a background in spirituality with the insight and practice of psychology. She has holds both MSW and MDiv degrees, and seeks to help people grow both emotionally and spiritually.
We have no idea what the community response will be to this program, but we hope that it will help meet some of the need for trained counselors in our area. You’ll see a banner about the center in front of the church. Appointments are available for Thursdays and may expand to other days depending upon the need.
Thanksgiving Abundance
November 24th, 2007 | UncategorizedIt’s amazing how God provides for all things. Just a few months ago, the food pantry and dinner program was just a dream. We started by preparing groceries and dinner for 25 people, and managed to keep up the pace as more people arrived each week. But after the food program was featured on the cover of the Greenpoint Gazette, and Thanksgiving posters went up around the neighborhood, we weren’t so sure we could handle the crowd.
One of the volunteers reminded us that this whole program is about the story of the loaves and the fishes - feeding a crowd with whatever we have. Thanks to a wonderful gift of turkeys given by Fortune Metal in honor of the 94th Precinct, we had ample meat for the meal. One by one, kind neighbors called to offer gifts of time, food, and money. And all this happened just in time, because the need for food in our neighborhood is tremendous. By the time the evening finished, over 60 families received groceries and at least 70 people enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving meal.
We have at least two more months to go before we can apply for membership in the City’s food bank program. With some hard work and continued prayers, we’re on target to make this program a permanent reality. Thank you to everyone who helps make this important new ministry possible.
You can now donate online to the food pantry and dinner program. Just click on the Donate button.
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