Trinity’s food pantry receives ‘more than enough’
When Trinity Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Florida, decided to make roof repairs and renovations to their church, they didn’t forget their ministry to the community. The congregation committed 10 percent of pledged funds to restore the location of the congregation’s food pantry—a church-owned house built in 1911.
The structure—adjacent to the church building and used for many years as housing for pastoral interns—is known by the congregation and community as Pantry House after the building was repurposed in 2010 to provide accommodations for the food ministry. Begun in 1995 when congregation members noticed an emergency need in their neighborhood, the ministry has since grown to serve approximately 1,100 families per month, distributing almost half a million pounds of food annually. The ministry pays nothing for the food it distributes, relying on donations from the congregation, community programs and area food banks, though receiving grants from Jacksonville and other organizations in the past.
Unfortunately closed during the pandemic because of health and safety concerns and a lack of space in the building to allow for adequate social distancing, the pantry is anxious to reopen and plans to restart as soon as
it is safe. In spring of 2021 the ministry did sponsor four mobile pantries within Jacksonville for a limited time.
Tom Culverwell, a congregation member who oversees the pantry, has seen the need for services grow and is grateful for renovations to Pantry House. “There were serious leaks in the roof, and several windows had been installed without flashing, so water was continuously leaking into the lower parts of the walls causing considerable damage.” A portion of the MIF loan replaced the roof and provided new windows, as well as allowing window and wall repairs throughout the building.
Initially serving only the immediate area around the congregation, Trinity’s food ministry has grown to encompass the entire city of Jacksonville and distributes meat, dairy products, dry goods and produce. “The Lord was looking out for us,” observes Culverwell, reflecting on how the ministry has grown. When the ministry transitioned to Pantry House, they were in need of commercial refrigerators and freezers. Lutheran Social Services had just what Pantry House needed. When those units needed to be replaced, Trinity was able to buy a custom-built, walk-in refrigerator/freezer.
While the need for this ministry is growing, so are the resources to meet those needs. “It’s the Lord’s food pantry,” remarks Culverwell. “He gives us more than enough.”
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