BRANFORD, CT —The ‘church on the Rock’ is collecting canned fruits and vegetables to benefit local food pantries in Branford, North Branford, and Guilford. Their objective: to match the model set by Jesus in Matthew 14.
Church Pastor Kent Jackson said he was inspired to create the Food Pantry Challenge mission as he prepared a sermon based on the familiar Bible story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. He was particularly motivated by verse 16: Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”
As Jackson told the congregation in a recent newsletter, “The Lord spoke clearly through my time of meditation that we, as a community, are being challenged to collect 5,000 cans of fruits and vegetables by the end of the year 2020.” He continued, “We, like the disciples, need to answer the Lord’s call to feed hungry people.”
Members of the Shoreline community are welcome to participate in the food drive. Donations can be dropped off in the green collection bin outside the front door of the church, which is located at 811 East Main Street (1 mile east of Chowder Pot on Route 1) in Branford. Any non-perishable items can be donated; however, only cans of fruits and vegetables will count towards the tally. Items are removed daily and stored inside the building for weekly distribution to the food pantries. Donations can also be sent to UMC Branford and will be used to purchase additional cans of fruits and vegetables.
Everyone is encouraged to spread the word and invite friends and neighbors to join the challenge to feed the hungry in our communities. Updates on the progress of the food drive will be posted on the church’s Facebook page or by following #feedthe5000.
For more information, please contact Pastor Kent at (203) 488-0549 or [email protected]
Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.
