Shepherd of the Sea Carol Hummel Food Pantry

06/25/2026

A bicycle is more than transportation. For many of our unsheltered neighbors, it's their lifeline.

It carries everything they own. It gets them to meals, medical appointments, work opportunities, and places of safety. When a bicycle breaks down, life becomes that much harder.

This week, one neighbor was struggling with a damaged cargo rack. We reached out to retired pastor Larry Watson, who faithfully repairs bicycles for people in need.

What looked like a simple repair turned into something much more important. While replacing the rack with a stronger one, Pastor Larry discovered worn-out bearings in the pedal assembly, a hidden problem that could have caused a serious accident. He rebuilt the assembly, making the bike safer and smoother than it had been in years. The owner's response said it all:
"It rides like new."

Another neighbor’s bicycle had been struck by a car and was no longer safe to ride. Pastor Larry replaced the derailleur, repaired the gear shifter, fixed the front brake, and trued the wheel. A bicycle that seemed beyond repair was once again roadworthy.

We're deeply grateful for community partners like Pastor Larry Watson, who use their gifts to restore not just bicycles, but independence, dignity, and hope.
Every repaired bike is another reminder that when a community comes together, lives are strengthened one act of kindness at a time.

06/23/2026

Some days at the pantry remind us just how powerful community partnerships can be.

A woman walked into the pantry today asking for something we don't typically provide: a safe place to sleep for the night.
Fortunately, Janet immediately knew who to call.

Through a partnership she has worked hard to build with House of Hope, a program that provides housing and job training for unsheltered neighbors, help was only a phone call away. Their team immediately came to the pantry, met with the neighbor, and accepted her into the program.

As she prepared to leave, we asked if she had enough food.
"I'm fine," she replied. "I have a little peanut butter."
After talking more, we learned that all she had eaten that day was a single cracker.
Before leaving, she shopped the pantry and took food with her.

But the story doesn't end there.
While she was shopping, another unsheltered neighbor came to the pantry hoping to connect with House of Hope. By what seemed like perfect timing, they were already onsite. They sat down together, talked, and he too was accepted into the program. Before heading to housing, he was also able to shop the pantry.

In a single day, two neighbors found not only food, but immediate access to housing, support, and a pathway toward stability.

Moments like these remind us that addressing hunger is about more than providing meals. It's about building relationships, connecting people to resources, and working together to address the challenges that often lie beneath the surface.

06/22/2026

Thank you to the saints at pastor Brad’s home Congregation, Faith Lutheran Church for their continued collection of paper bags (specifically ones with handles) for our food pantry neighbors to use!

We are so thankful for this partnership in ministry!

God loves y’all, and so do we!

Ps - thank you to Andrew for helping pastor Brad unload this donation!

06/19/2026

¡Tu salud es importante! Aquí tienes una oportunidad gratuita para revisar tus cifras.

06/18/2026

Your health is important! Here is a free opportunity to check your numbers!

06/11/2026

Help working neighbors get food! We have volunteer opportunities on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

06/10/2026

🧚‍♂️🧚🏽‍♀️Calling all bag fairies🧚🏽🧚‍♀️

We could sure use your help. We really need paper bags with handles to deliver food to home bound neighbors.

We also are running low on plastic grocery bags.

06/09/2026

Please consider volunteering weekend mornings for a couple hours to get the pantry ready for the week! Volunteer orientation June 20 at 9:30am!

06/06/2026