BPUMC Food Bank
Putting Our Faith Into Action!
What: Our food bank is an opportunity for volunteers, donors, and community work together to provide nutritious food to anyone who needs it. For questions or more information, please contact Tina Anton at anton524@comcast.net.
When: the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Browns Point United Methodist Church, 5339 Browns Point Blvd, Tacoma 98422
Volunteers - Food Bank Volunteers 2021: Food Bank (signupgenius.com)
Volunteers
The congregation at Browns Point UMC has been providing weekly service at the food bank since 2012 - we are faithful servants!
Volunteers also come from the NE Tacoma community: retirees, parents and children, high school students from Stadium and Bellarmine, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Youth ages 11-13 can volunteer with a parent or guardian. Youth 14+ can volunteer individually.
We welcome volunteers on Fridays from 11:00 a.m.-1 p.m, or from 4:30 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. No experience needed! If you are interested in serving, please contact Tina Anton at anton524@comcast.net.
Food Bank Families
We believe NO ONE SHOULD GO HUNGRY.
The majority of families coming into the food bank are the "working poor": employed but with low-wage jobs (housekeeping, janitorial, part-time/seasonal workers). The fastest growing group of Nourish clients are people over 55. And of course most of our families have children. Did you know 1 in 4 children in Washington live in a household that struggles to put food on the table?
Food bank clients are NOT required to disclose any employment or income information in writing. However a client must show identification with name, date of birth and current address (unless homeless) in Pierce County. They will be asked to disclose names and birthdates of others living in their household.
Donors
The NE Tacoma community is a generous one! Our food bank is grateful to our faithful donors who supplement the weekly commodities we receive from NW Harvest, Emergency Food Network, and Food Lifeline.
Since establishing the food bank at Browns Point UMC in September 2012, we have received donations from Browns Point Elementary School, Crescent Heights Elementary School, Meeker Middle School, St. Matthews Episcopal Church, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Marine View Presbyterian Church, NE Tacoma Community Garden, NE Tacoma Neighborhood Council, Browns Point Improvement Club, Dash Point Social and Improvement Club, and several local businesses.
Equally important are the donations brought in by members of our congregation, friends and neighbors! In the spring and summer we look forward to the fresh produce they grow in their gardens; and in the winter we are blessed by those who drop off an extra turkey or pie at Thanksgiving, or a ham at Christmas. Our food bank families are truly thankful!
Stories
Below are some incredible stories from Food Bank Volunteers.
From Pam M.: “David and I have volunteered since it started. It’s part of what churches should be doing in my opinion. I like working with the people/clients. They are really appreciative of the food bank. One day, I stayed outside with some kids. The mom shared that her son (much older than the kids) was getting his feet back on the ground after some bad decisions. She said he was living on his own and needed some support. Her decision was to support him in his efforts to seek out places like FISH food bank rather than rescue him. She had a lot of wisdom. I think it is the "hand up not hand out" philosophy that I like - and I believe the clients feel the same.”
From Anne S. who has served for 2 years: “It absolutely answers Jesus' call to feed our brothers and sisters who are hungry. I've volunteered at other food banks and this one far exceeds nutritional value and content of other food banks. We are also feeding souls. One mom told me that her kids enjoy coming each week because they get to see their friends. The recipients feel like family. They know it is a safe, happy place to come each week.”
From Pat M.: “I enjoy the interaction with the people who come to the food bank. One woman was so pleased because she was able to make a salad with the fresh produce for a school potluck. A few talk about how they will cook with the food. When children come it is fun to see what they choose if given a choice. One time we had colored carrots and a woman was excited to show these to her daughter who loved carrots. These people seem very grateful for the service and for the most part do not take advantage of the situation. They only take what they need and will use.”
