Six months ago we began planning for a new addition to our ministry. It is an undertaking that Shepherd’s HOPE could not operate on its own. It would take the collaboration of 10 ministries (THE WAY) to make this a reality.
On April 23, 2014 we opened “The Family Feeding Center” at 6455 S Peoria, a building across the street from where we hold our Sunday evening church services. This is a place where people can come twice a week (Wednesday and Friday) from noon until 2:00 pm to get a well-prepared, nutritious HOT MEAL. On April 23rd we served 135 people; the menu included barbecued pork loin, chicken and cod with au gratin potatoes, vegetable fried rice, green bean casserole, fruit cup, pumpkin muffins, soda and water to drink. What a great meal!
This project is more labor intensive and requires more resources to operate than the pantry, especially in the beginning. We are getting most of the food donated; it is the paper goods, plasticware, aluminum serving pans, spices, barbecue sauce etc that eat up the resources. It takes 18-20 volunteers to pull this off. The cooks start at 8:00 am, we serve from noon until 2 pm and then the clean-up team finishes about 4 pm. This is a large undertaking with the huge benefit that it facilitates developing relationships easier than the pantry because people are seated at tables and there is great opportunity for conversation. The combination of the two (pantry and feeding center) makes Jesus come alive to the people we serve!
It has been a glorious start and we expect to be serving 500 people a week by the end of May. Of course this opportunity to build relationships and share Jesus with people in need comes with cost. Even though we are getting most of the food donated, the cost per meal will still be about $1.50 per meal. We plan on serving about 26,000 meals this year. Our monthly cost to be able to feed and develop relationship with the people will be about $250.00. The collaborative ministry partners live and serve in the city and will provide what they can, but most of them are struggling to stay alive. Most of the burden is on the Shepherd’s HOPE team. That is the reason we were sent to Englewood.
We are asking you to support us again so that GOD’S kingdom can grow exponentially. We are looking for monthly commitments so that we know what we can count on month to month.
- $30.50/mo will feed 20 people 2 hot meals a week for a month
- $120/mo will feed 80 people 2 hot meals a week for a month
- $240 will feed 160 people 2 hot meals a week for a month
- $600 will feed 400 people 2 hot meals a week for a month
- $1200 will feed 800 people 2 hot meals a week for a month
- $3000 will feed 2000 people 2 hot meals a week for a month
We need monthly commitments that total $3,850.00 per month.
Please remember when donating to Shepherd’s HOPE that 95% of every dollar goes directly to serve its neighbors in need. GOD is sovereign over all. He created everything, including the under-resourced. HE promises to take care of all our needs and never forsakes us. HE blesses us so we can fulfill HIS promise to those in need. This is the true test of who we are in Christ.