Come To Me Food Pantry

A phone invitation arrived from Mike Reed, pastor at Fishers United Methodist Church, several weeks ago. He asked me to stop by and visit their food pantry some Wednesday afternoon. The opportunity for me to head north came Wednesday, September 16. There were signs coming up through the drive marked “food pantry” with an arrow pointing south. It was clear where I needed to go – how radically hospitable is that? The food pantry is located in a building behind the church that was purchased by the church two years ago. I entered through the door that said, “Come to me Food Pantry.” I was welcomed at the door. Linda Williams, food pantry coordinator, was the person I was told to ask for, so they sent me downstairs.

The basement of the building has been renovated to fit the program. The large space was line with shelves labeled for soups, sauces, meats and other food items. There are extra storage areas where boxes were being opened and items were being sorted by meal preparation. The many volunteers were working preparing the boxes of food for the guests that arrive upstairs.

When the guests arrive, they are greeted by a trained client advocate who learns a little bit about them and prays with them if they wish. The guest completes a form selecting food items that are needed. No financial questions are asked but they do find out if they live in Hamilton County. They may come once a month. The supply sheet is slipped through a very small slit in the floor down a chute for the volunteer to sign them in and pass it on to a volunteer to complete the order. The order is boxed up and a lift sends it upstairs where another volunteer carries the box of supplies to the car with the guest. Again, the volunteer takes the time to pray with them.
There are many amazing pieces to this story. The volunteers know their guests by name. Many guests have special dietary needs, and the volunteers take time to set those special orders aside for these individuals. Packages of meals are on the shelves - such as everything to make a tuna casserole. There are fresh items available through gifts from companies and other agencies. There are friends and churches far and near that support the program with money. The day I visited they had an abundance of fresh sweet corn. I was asked if I knew of some place that could use some. I said, “yes I think I do." Vida Nueva congregation has Bible Study and Kids Club on Thursday nights. Steve Williams put two large boxes in my car. I headed out to the west side of town to deliver the fresh corn to share with the families arriving for Bible Study. Pictured are the girls that carried in the boxes for me and volunteers at Fishers UMC.

Radical hospitality and extravagant generosity are obviously at work at Fishers!

“When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.” -Romans 12:13.

Metro Ministries Auxiliary

The Metro Ministries Auxiliary is a group of ladies that support Goodwill Industries, Fletcher Place Community Center, Brightwood Community Center and Vida Nueva. They budget each year and plan on receiving funding primarily from United Methodist Women Groups that allow their budgets to be funded. The Auxiliary hosts several events each year including an Awards Event each year where money can be donated in honor of someone in the churches – Love, Memorial and Service Awards. A certificate is provided to the church group or United Methodist Women group so that it can be presented during a special event within the church.

I attended the Metro Ministries Auxiliary Executive Board this morning. Reports were received from Brightwood Community Center and from Goodwill Industries. A financial report is received at each meeting. The Metro Auxiliary ladies are feeling the changes within the Indiana Conference, but they have not stopped working. I believe each of the executive board members work at least 40 hours per week volunteering. It is an amazing group.

It was amazing to hear how the Goodwill Industries uses the designated money from the auxiliary. Jennifer Danic, a Goodwill representative to the auxiliary, reported that the money that comes from the United Methodist Women groups goes into a fund that is used to give loans to employees of Goodwill. It is a one-time immediate financial assistance and repaid through payroll deductions. The beauty of this process is that the money is used and reused again and again. What a worthwhile way to support persons who are learning how to be productive in the work force. Isn’t that cool. What I am saying to the United Methodist Women’s groups and the Metro Ministries Auxiliary representatives is, “Good job” using our funds in such a positive way.

If you want more information about the Metro Auxiliary, contact me and I will get you connected. Lisa Morris, lmorris@indymetroumc.org.