Loaves and Fishes – An Interfaith Food Bank for the People of Pooler
By System Administrator | Homepage, May/June 2009
A story in the Bible tells of how Jesus fed the multitudes with only a
few loaves of bread and a few fish. How could so many be fed by such a
few? Miracles can’t be explained, but Marti Stein and Linda Renton of
Christ Presbyterian Church in Pooler want to do the same. They are the
original members of their church’s mission committee, and they want to
help others in the community by expanding their food bank.
Their idea to help others began in September of 2008. “We had a small food
pantry (in the church),” related Stein, “but Linda and I believed that
every other church in Pooler had their own small pantry and probably
weren’t doing any more with it that we were. So we decided that what we
would try to do as our initial mission effort, was to unite the churches
in Pooler, to have a large organized food pantry that people would know
about, that would truly serve the needy.” They named the food bank Loaves
and Fishes, and anyone who resides in Pooler, or is affiliated with a
church in Pooler, can be a recipient of the food bank.
Christ Presbyterian is a new church development, and their pastor, The
Reverend Ed Ayers, believes in the mission. “Church is a place where
people find God, and it’s a place where people reach out and serve God.
This is done because Christ commanded us to do this,” he said, and when
he told his church members about the project, “Our congregation just came
on board and gave food and financially. It’s a true picture of what the
church is supposed to be about.”
The small mission committee didn’t know how to go about starting the food
bank, and they looked to God for help. “It was amazing,” Stein said, “the
talent God sent me!” Whenever advice was needed, people showed up who were
experts. “Some of these people showed up for just a short time,” continued
Stein, explaining that they appeared just when they were needed. God sent
people to help with publicity, insurance liability and designing websites
among other things. “There was even a food pantry expert!” she said, “and
The Manna House (in Effingham County) was our biggest influence. We’ve
patterned much of what we’ve done from them.”
“Ask and you shall be given!” chimed in Suzanne Toupin, better known as
Bambi to her friends. She’s Vice President of Loaves and Fishes, and a
member of Gateway United Methodist Church.
We moved forward,” said Stein. “In January of 2009 we opened our doors.
Our first recipients were men laid off from work a few weeks before. God’s
timing is perfect. It’s always perfect!”
Other churches have joined Christ Presbyterian’s Loaves and Fishes. So
far, Gateway United Methodist, Morning Star Baptist, Abundant Life
Lutheran, St. Patrick’s Episcopal and the Pooler YMCA are helping out.
That’s quite a diverse population of Christian congregations working
together, and Toupin says, “We welcome all churches to join us.”
“We are non-profit, and we fund ourselves through yard sales,” said Stein,
“and our vision is to have our own thrift store. It will fund our ongoing
food ministry.” Loaves and Fishes accepts both food and monetary
donations. “We encourage people to make monetary donations, because with
our being a member of Second Harvest, we can buy food at a drastically
reduced price. One dollar given to us will buy so much more than what a
person can buy at the grocery store.”
While members are hard at work to raise funds for the food bank, many in
the Pooler community have lent a helping hand.
Piggly Wiggly helped by donating shelves and bags for the food pantry, and
every week they donate bakery goods like breads and cakes. “We always have
more than we need,” said Stein, “and we take any left to Wisteria Gardens
(a retirement and assisted living facility).”
“Curves (a women’s fitness center) has been a major food donor for us,”
continues Stein, “They run special food drives, and they have an ongoing
food receptacle for us. When new members come in, they ask them to donate
food.”
The neighborhood of Southbridge is helping too. They had their annual
neighbor garage sale in April. It was quite successful, and all the
proceeds from this particular sale were donated to Loaves and Fishes.
Additionally, all the items that were not sold were given to Loaves and
Fishes to sell at their own garage sale the next week. All My Sons, a
local moving company, donated a 26 foot moving van and driver to pick up
all the items, and Great Dane donated a cargo container for storage of the
items until the sale. Any items that are not sold will be given to Good
Will. That’s a lot of giving!
Anyone who wants to donate items to Loaves and Fishes can drop them off at
the Pooler YMCA (look for the decorated barrel), Curves, or any of the
churches listed in this article. If businesses would like to participate
in “food raising” they can call Marti Stein at 856-0953 to have their
items picked up.
What kind of items are needed? Canned meat and canned food products of any
kind, nutritious foods –“We don’t do junk foods,” said Stein, “We give
people a balance of healthy foods.” Household items such as toilet paper,
paper towels, diapers and can openers are also needed.
At the present time, Loaves and Fishes is only open two days a month, but
Stein hopes to get more volunteers so that it can be open more frequently.
For more information, directions, and a complete food needs list, visit
their website: www.PoolerLoavesandFishes.org
SIDEBAR:
LOAVES AND FISHES MISSION STATEMENT
Loaves and Fishes Interfaith Food Ministry of Pooler, Inc. will make a
difference working to support those in need within the Pooler area by
providing food and other assistance as may be required.
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