Feeding Ministries
"If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do
something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what
happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.
My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love.
This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality."
- I John 3:17-18 (MSG)
At Memorial, we believe no one should go hungry in our community.
As a church, we have dedicated ourselves to help #LoveShowUp for kids needing dinners, working families needing a bit of help, our area unhoused who need nourishment...any brother or sister who is hungry.
No questions asked.
Jesus called us to this work.
Our United Methodist Social Principles guide us to support this call.
And our changed hearts lead us with "joyful obedience" to care for our neighbors.
Below find the ways that you can get involved in are feeding ministry through Memorial.
On Campus Feeding Ministries
Bob Powell Mini Food Pantry:
Behind the Partin Center (the church office) stands a cabinet that looks much a smaller version of our Sanctuary building. Inside are grab-and-go food items that require little to no preparation. There are also toiletries, basic care items, and feminine hygiene products. This pantry is open to anyone who needs to grab some food. Our small groups and church family keep this food pantry stocked. You can add supplies to this pantry as well. Click HERE to learn more about the specific items most useful for this ministry.
Snack Bag Ministry:
Members from Memorial, along with volunteers from other area churches, meet each Wednesday to create portable "snack bags" for our area unhoused. The bags contain enough food for two meals and often include some basic toiletries or self-care items. The bags are taken to our local Day-Drop-in Center and distributed on Thursdays. Find out how to get involved or how to donate items to this ministry HERE.
Silver Barnabas Food Bins:
Each Sunday members can bring in canned goods, dry rice or pasta, toiletries, canned meats, cereal....and place them in the silver bins around campus. This food it given to the food pantry at our local Barnabas Center, which helps expand our reach for feeding the area hungry. These bins are out every week to accept donations. To learn more about the ways Memorial works with the Barnabas Center and the services they provide, click HERE.
CURRENT NEEDS FOR BARNABAS:
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Canned fruits and vegetables (low sodium/low sugar)
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Canned beans and proteins (tuna or chicken)
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Whole grains
Feeding Ministries With Our Mission Partners
The Interfaith Dinner Network:
The Interfaith Dinner Network (IDN) is a partnership of churches and local service organizations which cook and serve dinner to those in need four days a week at the local Salvation Army Hope House.
A team from Memorial sponsor dinners and serves a few nights a month and also participates in special meals and opportunities at the Hope House.
To learn more or get involved with Hope House, contact our Memorial's IDN Mission Champion, Sharyl Wood.
Gracie's' Kirchen: Serving the Yulee area, Gracie's Kitchen, Gracie’s Kitchen serves single mothers, families, senior citizens, military veterans, the homeless, and the working poor of the Yulee area. Open four days a week, volunteers teams cook, serve, and help maintain this facility. Memorial has a members who work on teams each week. To find our more about serving at Gracie's, contact Marsha Mongeon.
Barnabas: Memorial has long been a supporter of Barnabas Center through dedicated funding and food collection opportunities like our Barnabas Bins on campus and annual Pasta Drives. You can volunteer directly with Barnabas in their food bank, through their retail center, and in their clinics. To learn more about serving at Barnabas, contact Memorial's Mission Partner for Barnabas: Mary Negron. To donate to Barnabas, designate them when you give online through Memorial.