Making ministry real at the Excelsior Community Food Pantry

    

Last Saturday I had the privilege of FINALLY being part of the Excelsior Community Food Pantry that MBCC folks have been organizing the past six months.  Along with people from Ocean Avenue PC and some other churches and groups, this ministry has been gradually picking up steam and energy.  

The day was filled with great meaning for me as I simply participated in the well-oiled machine that is the ECFP.  I reveled in watching a few of our young folks find joy in the experience as they helped carry, sort and distribute food; I was touched when folks I knew personally came through the line bridging the awkwardness of the moment with a hug; and I was moved by the general sense of gratitude and thoughtfulness that everyone had in doing this important work in the community.

As I reflect on the big picture of this part of what we do as MBCC in this part of San Francisco, I do not forget that there are larger systematic issues that we must confront when it comes to issues of economics, hunger and the working poor, but I am also reminded that there is a great deal of power that will come from communities gathering together to distribute food, compassion and presence. 

For the small part that we are doing, I am grateful.

And now the ask . . .

• YOUR TIME - We would love to have more people involved and even to have a group take over a Saturday or two.  While there would be a good deal of work to be done, the SF Food Bank would LOVE LOVE LOVE for us to go weekly.  We are hopeful that we could do this, but only if we can guarantee the people-power to make it happen.
• YOUR MONEY - It takes less than $3.00 to feed each family.  Yep, three hundred buckaroonees,  a $300 donation, basically feeds 100 families for the week.  So, above and beyond what you would also give to other organizations and your church, please consider making a designated gift to the Food Pantry.

Here is the info that you need to make a difference:

• To volunteer, ask questions, be part of the Steering Committee etc: foodpantry at missionbaycc dot org
• To donate online (one time of regularly): eGive
• To donate via check/corporate matching:
  Mission Bay Community Church
  ATTN: Food Pantry
  32 Ocean Avenue | San Francisco CA 94112
• on Twitter: @ecfp
• on Facebook: FB Group

Lastly to those who, out of grappling with God's call on our collective lives, really helped this thing get off the ground and continue to provide energy as the ministry expands, thank you.  You know you who are!