On the last Wednesday of every month, throughout the year, members of our church and 11 other faith communities and volunteers meet at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Portland to pack bags of food for clients of the Family Promise mission.

In August the group loaded food for 38 families with frozen beef, chicken, fish, spinach, and cassava leaves, carrots, sweet and hot peppers, tomatoes, plantains, potatoes, apples, milk, eggs, and a variety of rice, beans, and flours.

In addition to the food, families also receive diapers as part of the $2,000 grant our church received through the Mustard Seed Migration initiative applied for by our Lay Leader Steve Hill. In August the families also received a variety of books donated by the Indigo Arts Alliance.

The food is supplied to Family Promise through a Good Shepherd Food Bank grant, and also through purchases from the African Supermarket.

When the bags are filled, the volunteers pack their cars and make deliveries throughout the Greater Portland area.

The food-packing program is coordinated by Family Promise Program Manager Joao Vemba and Executive Director Michelle Lamm.

If you are interested in participating in this program, see Steve Hill, Ted Haider or Deanne Burr.