12/28/2018
God's Pantry – a ministry of Risen Savior Lutheran Church, Palm Bay, Florida 32905
What is God's Pantry? God's Pantry - renamed after coming to Risen Savior 3 years ago- is a ministry of Risen Savior Lutheran Church. It is staffed fully by volunteers, including a qualified director, operates on and from the campus of Risen Savior providing and distributing hundreds of meals weekly, on Wednesdays, in the afternoon. Provided to the needy is fresh vegetables, fruit, milk when available, breads, baked goods, frozen meat when available and dry goods.
Where does the food come from? The food that is provided for the clients is obtained predominantly from Second Harvest, a non-profit operating in our area out of Orlando. God's Pantry is considered by Second Harvest as a preferred pantry to work with. God's Pantry serves the needy in BrevardCounty, primarily from the Palm Bay area. At least 3-5 pallets of food are distributed weekly, plus when available, pallets of potatoes, onions, carrots and other fruits and vegetables.
Who is being fed? People residing in Brevard County who meet need requirements stipulated by the relevant government agencies that we are required to abide by. A better way to answer is, the people being helped are multi-ethnic and multi-generational, from various faith backgrounds as well as those professing no faith. We try to make all welcome while still meeting criteria and operating under the regulations expected of us.
Who are our volunteers? In some cases, the volunteers are also clients, giving back because they appreciate what the ministry has given to them. Some volunteers are members of Risen Savior. Some are members of other churches and some are between churches. All are committed to keeping this ministry running as smoothly as possible, so we can be the best pantry in our area. God's Pantry is 100% volunteer operated.
What is needed? When God led the pantry to Risen Savior three years ago, the number of clients served was approximately 600 per week. The client served base has now grown to approximately 1500 per week. Because of the growing numbers of clients, God's Pantry has outgrown the space allotted to it in the church Fellowship Hall and a new space is required. What is going to be done is provide a building for God's Pantry's use on the campus of Risen Savior. This building will allow God's Pantry to provide for the clients much more efficiently. Efficiency is the key word.
How you can help – To provide this new facility for God's Pantry, we will have to raise $100,000.00. That will be the total cost of the building-on site. Therefore, it is necessary to ask you, your friends, your places of employment, businesses you do business with, to help spread the word to provide the funding for this much needed building for God's Pantry. Churches offering financial support will be recognized and others can receive receipts for their 501-c3 contribution. Please join with us to help us provide this more efficient place for God's Pantry to continue to grow and provide for their needy clients. All donations should be addressed to God's Pantry Building Fund c/o Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 2220 Port Malabar Blvd., Palm Bay, Florida 32905. Please note on donation: God's Pantry Building Fund.
Risen Savior is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization.
Funding started November 11, 2018. How you help is up to you, but please consider joining us in something God is truly directing in our community. THANK YOU and God bless!
Rev Gary Held, Pastor, Risen Savior Lutheran Church
Robert Schmidt, Trustee
Pat Gorski, Pantry Director
