Food Ministry

Churubusco United Methodist has three food programs: Pantry, Sharing with Shut-Ins, and Food Giveaway

Food Pantry supports Churubusco residents and surrounding areas by appointment. Income restrictions do apply. According to our 2008 Pantry report, we served 859 families representing 3400 people.  There has been a steady increased of clients since last August, showing a 40% increase from 2007.  We used 108,000 lbs of food; 13,000 lbs of meat; 10,000 lbs refrigerated items; 3000 lbs of fresh fruit and vegetables.  The value of all the items was $141,000.  $7,000 was spent from the Pantry Fund. 

Sources for food:  Community Harvest Food Bank at 19 cents per lb and also many no-maintenance items.  Other sources:  3 Target stores, Chik-Fil-A, Mama DeLucas Pizza, Unto Others, Kroger on Dupont, Feed the Children-Elkhart, Federal Government Commodities, Food Drives--Scouts, Smith-Green Community Middle School, Post Office, Collins UMC, Columbia Locker, Kriders Meat Processing, Sara Lee, Return, Inc., Community Action of Whitley County $1500, Hanging of the Greens, food and monetary gifts from our congregation and others outside the church. 

Food Give-Away is available to anyone (no income restrictions) every Tuesday from 2:30-4:30 pm in the church Fellowship Hall. Prior to the give-away, there is a 30-minute worship service starting at 1:30 pm for those who desire to attend. 2008 statistics of give-away distribution reflect 5,520 families coming through the line which represents 15,360. people.  The majority of items come from the Community Harvest Farm Wagon that delivers on Monday afternoons.  Also, miscellaneous items from the Pantry, Feed the Children-Elkhart, and Target.  Breads and pastries are from Community Harvest, Brownberry Breads, Kroger on Dupont, Walmart and Starbucks.

There is an average of 20-25 volunteers each week on Monday and Tuesday, unloading the Farm Wagon on Monday afternoon, picking up extra bread, unpacking things, packaging items, setting up, and distributing to the clients as well as cleanup afterwards. 

The Tuesday Afternoon Praise (T.A.P.) at 1:30 pm has become an integral part of each Tuesday to many people, offering hope of Christ and God's love as they struggle with the economy and other issues.  The messages, music, prayer and praise time is spiritually uplifting.  Four pastors rotate each week:  Pastor Corinne Boruff, Pastor Nancy Fergusson, Pastor Larry Schmoekel, and Pastor Rick Van Horn.

Sharing with Shut-Ins is a soup delivery ministry that takes place beginning in the fall through early spring.  Since November 2008, delivery is helping over 100 people each week.

Please don't hesitate to call the church office if you have a need for any of these services.

Many volunteers help and are needed to make these programs possible.