Christ’s Beloved Community/Comunidad Amada de Cristo, Winston-Salem, Receives Hunger Grant from ELCA
All of us at Christ’s Beloved Community/Comunidad Amada de Cristo, Winston-Salem, were overjoyed to hear we had received a $500 hunger grant from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
We are located in Southside, in a food desert, and we have experienced a sharp increase in the number of people coming to us for food during COVID-19. Just a few weeks ago, our food pantry completely ran out of food for the first time, and we had to turn people away. The matching hunger grant has allowed us to raise more than $2,500 in additional donations. Two of our major donors were from our area Partners in Ministry: Epiphany Lutheran Church and Augsburg Lutheran Church. Area Episcopal churches and several parishioners and members of the community have also donated due to increased awareness of our need.
100% of the money we have raised for our food pantry is going toward food and essential supplies for our food pantry patrons. We turn no one away, and we do not require documentation or identification, so we are truly able to feed and serve any and all people. God has shown up for us in this process by repeatedly showing us that when we ask, God provides. At one point, every room in our church was full of food thanks to individual and church contributions. Good people of faith are longing to find a way to serve others during this time even as those who are food insecure are looking for food.
It has been a privilege to be on the receiving end of people’s generosity, and on the giving end as we fill people’s trunks with food during our drive-by food pantry openings. I routinely pray with people in the parking lot as they wait to receive food. People are often overwhelmed with thanks, tears in their eyes, and joy in their hearts as we bring an abundance of food to them. And they bless us with their gratitude and their joy. Several families have told us they want to worship with us when we are able to be back in our church building because they see our commitment to serving them during these times. All of this is made possible by the generosity of denominations, churches and individuals.
Christ is risen indeed, Alleluia!
By the Rev. Chantal McKinney, mission developer and founding pastor