HUNGER PREVENTION
Our Hunger Prevention Program consists of a soup kitchen and food pantry, open every Saturday except the first Saturday of the month from 10AM to 11 AM. We usually open earlier than 10 AM, as the line waiting for us to open is very long. Approximately 700 people or more are fed in our soup kitchen during this time. They are served eggs, potatoes, cereal, bread, fruit, juice, coffee and milk.
In an effort to restore a sense of dignity to those ordinarily relegated to food lines, our seated guests are served an all-you-can-eat hot breakfast in a restaurant-style setting. Most of our guests “fill up” as much as they can, knowing they will not have a meal like this for another week; one person still holds the record – 22 plates of food eaten in one sitting! Guests are also encouraged to take part in our food pantry program, which supplies emergency and supplemental food in grocery bags.
ADDITIONAL SATURDAY SERVICES
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GED PREP: At 10 AM, guests can attend a GED test-preparation class.
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ESL CLASS: At 10AM, non-English-speaking guests can attend a free ESL (English as a Second Language) class.
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SOCIAL SERVICES: We provide access to social services, including information on food stamps, housing advocacy, homeless services, etc., are readily available during the soup kitchen operation.
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LEGAL SERVICES: On the second Saturday of every month, we partner with Open Hands Legal Services to provide free legal services and counseling to our guests. The mission of Open Hands respond to God’s call to seek justice and defend the rights of the poor by providing these services and to be open-handed toward the poor and needy in the city (Deuteronomy 15:11). During the soup kitchen/food pantry operation guests can avail themselves of these services.
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PRAYER: We have a team of people who offer prayer to individuals as they wait for a plate of food or who are called upon to pray by regular guests. No one is ever forced to receive prayer but we understand that many guests need friendship and emotional and spiritual support in addition to food. Our guests appreciate knowing that we will pray for the needs they express.