Christ's Cupboard Food Pantry History
The food pantry is housed at Celebration Lutheran Church in St. Johns and like most churches from time to time we would have people in need stop by looking for a hand out. The requests were usually for money, gift cards for food or gas most times asking for all three. It was decided we would have a small amount of food on hand and as the number of those in ne
ed increased the panty evolved. We began in 2008, small of course, open just two days a week serving roughly 15 visitors each week. Word got out and we grew fast, so much so that we were forced to limit our serving areas to three local zip codes, 32259, 32095 and 32093, to control our supply and demand. Over the years our network for both those in need as well as donations has increased and with the help of God we have always been able to provide. The pandemic had increased both the need at the pantry and thankfully donations increased. Prior to Covid 19 we served an average of 30 pantry families per week and during the pandemic we did not restrict anyone by zip code allowing all those in need to receive food and our average weekly pantry visitors totaled 50 families with new families finding us each week. The outpouring of donations during Covid was overwhelming, those who were able have been more than generous. Many holding food drives, one neighbor held a garage sale and donated the money to the pantry, we had a family that took their stimulus check and purchased food, one man came by and donated his entire stimulus check. A family in Nocatee started a continuous food drop off in their neighborhood, food was brought to her house and roughly twice a month the donations were delivered to Christ’s Cupboard. Boy Scout troops, United Way, St. Johns Cares, held food drives. Legacy Assisted Living and Westminster Woods held drives during the holidays. Many local churches continue to bring donations as well as some local small businesses. Neighbors constantly come by with food. At times it is overwhelming and we thank and praise God each and every day that he has given us the means to keep going. We are now back to serving those in our original three zip codes and welcome new visitors regularly.
