Food Security, Food Sovereignty: SNAP Benefits in Crisis
Good morning my faithful Presbyterian pastoral pals. This is your friendly hunger advocate Rev Ryan here and in fast approach of a thanksgiving season during which the reality of food insecurity, employment unknowns and financial fears are filling many stomachs in place of the festive holiday feasts that usually fill family tables. Fear not friends because our faith calls us to live lives of abundance not need so I wanted to take a moment this season to help guide you and your congregations in ways to address both the spiritual and superficial hungers that present often in our current society.
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Free tiny food pantries:
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This is a new movement in which local citizens, organizations, churches, etc build small out door boxes that hold surplus produce and goods and make them available to the community. It is a great alternative to food banks that allows individuals to contribute small amounts food to those in need when available without making large trips. It also allows those in need who man feel too embarassed to go to a food bank to take supplementary items. It would be a great intiative to have you’re congregation create one of these pantries as a resource for the community that also allows for an opportunity to interact with those in need. I recomend printing out a bunch of little labels to stick on food packages with a blessing, verse, info on services, etc…
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Here are two San Jose examples:
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A few ideas for setting up a pantry: littlefreepantry photo gallery
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For those concerned about legalities take a look at Federal Liability Protection For Food Donation LEGAL FACT SHEET
Here are the little pantry locations for Santa Cruz area pastors and I am in the midst of working on a similar list and contacting grocery stores and restaurants who often have extra food items in the San Jose area near our churches in order to establish relationships where congregants can pick up and distribute goods.
There are many little free pantries in Santa Cruz County including locations in Live Oak, Santa Cruz, Aptos, Ben Lomond and Capitola. Specific locations include:
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1859 Encina Dr. (Live Oak)
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1400 45th Ave. by Jade St. Park (Capitola)
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261 Madrona Way
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Chanticleer Park/Leo’s Haven on Chanticleer Ave.
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Live Oak Resource Center: At 1740 17th Ave.
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421 Continental Street
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Delaware & Bethany Curve: Near the curve.
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503 California Street: A pantry with a refrigerator.
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508 Olive Street: A pantry with a refrigerator.
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612 Laurel Street: A pantry with a refrigerator.
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Aptos 3070 W. Ledyard Way 125 Canterbury Dr.
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Episcopal Church Ben Lomond 261 Madrona Way Corner of Hermosa & Arden Boulder Creek Hwy 236 @ Redwood Ave
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Capitola 1400 45th Ave. by Jade St. Park
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Corralitos 2901 Freedom Blvd.
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Soquel 2815 Porter Street
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Watsonville 2901 Freedom Blvd.
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Two Bird Books in captitola on 41st ave will also be a food and donation collection spot for Santa Cruz County’s Second Harvest Food Bank throughout the next two months. Currently the most requested food items are peanut butter, canned tuna and chicken, low-sodium soups, beans, rice, and whole grain cereals.
For San Jose Pastors, take a look at the attached list of food banks, pantries and services and please email me for specific info on any relevant organizations. The reality is that there is plenty of food for all if we believe in and promote abundance.
Resources: