It has been a long time, seems like an eternity since August 12th of 2016.
Our food cupboard had given its last bag of groceries the Thursday before. The fire engulfed our church home and with that went our food cupboard that was housed in the Narthex of the Church.
For more years than I can recount, the food cupboard was a mainstay in our service to the community. For years, monies had been collected, as well as food collected and purchased so that bags of groceries could be given out twice weekly to those who were in need.
From canned goods to dry goods, peanut butter to hot dogs, food has been joyfully given out. There were many regulars and then there were those new to town or new to their life’s situation that made them show up at our doors. With the only questions asked pertaining to the need to gather statistical data, the food was given freely, with a warm smile and an open heart. This community service was a heartfelt thank you to our Lord.
We shared with the community, the goods of our bounty in the hopes that the recipients would no longer worry about what they were going to eat for some of the month. Through this gesture of sharing, our community felt as we were fulfilling the words of Christ, “to love one another as we would have them love us”.
Now being housed in a refurbished shipping container, retrofitted with insulation, electricity, and shelving, we are ready, once again to serve our community. With the help of local talent and the Lower Lake Community Action Committee our doors will once again be open. The Food Cupboard will open on Tuesday, April 4 at 10 a.m. From then on, this community service will operate every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon at 16255 Second Street, Lower Lake.
This service is provided by the Lower Lake Community, United Methodist Church with the assistance of donations from its members and others. The only documentation you will need is an ID and a bill with your street address. If you have difficulty providing this documentation, please come down anyway and speak to us. We will do the best we can to assist you.
We thank you on behalf of our church members and generous donors for your contributions to this endeavor.
John Pavoni serves as pastor of Lower Lake Community United Methodist Church
