Emergency Food Pantry

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Monroeville

Since the pandemic started our building was first closed because we were working from home. After about three months, I came back to the office and we were open by appointment only. I have had all phone calls routed to my cell phone since March 13 of 2020 so we would not miss any calls. After June of 2020 we did get a few people who were in need of food. We had two people that came back multiple times. But, since December, I have not had anyone ask for help. I wanted to make sure that we did not have food go to waste from our small food supply, so we periodically go through the food and any soon to expire within a month or two, we take to one of the local food banks. We have taken food to Crossroads church and to Garden City Food Bank. These places distribute food on certain days during the month. We know that the food will be distributed to people who need it now. We have communicated to them that if they have someone in an emergency situation who needs food immediately, to send them to us. At both Thanksgiving and Christmas the Gateway School District put out a request for food donations for families in need. We teamed up with our Service Committee to help provide 17 bags of food to three different schools in the district.

Providing food to families in need in the district was satisfying and we decided to reach out to the district again to see if the need continues. We have also communicated to a church that rents a building on our property, that if they know anyone in need of food, to send them our way. We cannot store a huge amount of food on our shelves, so it makes more sense for us to keep a moderate supply. We have also purchased some $25 Giant Eagle gift cards, so that people who come to us can purchase milk, bread, fresh vegetables etc. too.

I also want to add that our congregation is fully involved in this mission of providing food to those in need. Besides the money that many gave to match the grant, they continue to bring food to the church even though we are not having services at the church. I will come in and have a bag of food sitting outside my office door several times a month.

Thank you, again, for providing us this opportunity to continue a mission that is so important to our congregation and for those people who come to us for the basic necessities of life.