FEEDING THE HUNGRY IN WEST FULLERTON

LATEST NEWS...

November 1, 2008: For the third consecutive month, we distributed food to more than 150 persons whose families totalled at very least 700 people. A BIG thank-you to this month's helpers - the scouts and leaders of Boy Scout Troop 1201, plus several other neighbors and friends.

It is our hope to start a second monthly distribution in the near future. Would you like to help make it possible? Could you donate funds? Could you and your friends, or organization, come and unload the truck and hand out the food? If you're interested, please call the OUMC office (714.526.8317) and leave your name and phone number!

What are we doing here, anyway? Here's our story...

In 2000, Orangethorpe United Methodist Church (OUMC) was a founding member of the West Fullerton Improvement Committee (WFIC), whose mission was:

To strengthen families and the community of West Fullerton with an emphasis on prevention and early intervention by bringing service access and delivery to high risk families.

Early on, it was determined by WFIC members that hunger and malnutrition were a significant threat to the well-being of families in our neighborhood. Ever since 1993, another WFIC participant, Orangethorpe Christian Church (OCC), had sponsored weekly dinners which attracted well over 100 people each Monday evening. But something more was needed. Through its membership in the WFIC, OUMC agreed to use its facility for a monthly food distribution program which began in 2002.

Thank you Dave Johnson! One of the people who did the most, from the beginning of WFIC until his death in July 2008, to help our neighborhood was our good friend Dave Johnson, who was a giant in more ways than just his physical stature. He not only worked hard at Hot Meal Ministry and at monthly food distributions, but he spoke out tirelessly and fearlessly in favor of the people in our corner of Fullerton. We miss you, Dave! (You can read a beautiful tribute to Dave Johnson on page 16 of the Fullerton Observer's August issue.)
Paco
Nuestro jefe -- Paco Claudia
Claudia helps Paco organize things volunteers
Some volunteers, having fun while waiting for... Second Harvest truck
...the Second Harvest truck

As the food distribution program progressed, Pastora Teresa Santillana recognized the importance of the ministry to our mostly Latino neighborhood, so it was appropriate that OUMC's Latino Ministry take over responsibility for supervising the program.

OUMC, as organization of record, contracts with Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) to deliver a truckload of food from SHFB's warehouse to the OUMC parking lot. The first Saturday of each month, Latino Ministry members, led by our coordinator Paco Zúņiga, organize the distribution of this food to neighbors in need, assisted by volunteers from various organizations. Each month, more than 100 families receive fresh produce, canned goods, and a variety of packaged groceries.

SHFB bills OUMC each month for food delivery, but the invoice is paid through the generosity of employees of St. Jude Medical Center, yet another WFIC participant.

About 15 volunteers are required each month to help Latino Ministry members distribute food. OUMC's local organizing committee, which is the successor to WFIC, coordinates the scheduling of volunteer groups. Various St. Jude departments supply volunteer workers several months each year. OUMC's Anglo congregation provides volunteers one month each year. During other months, volunteers come from various churches, youth groups, and other organizations. There has never been a lack of people willing to lend a helping hand.

What's happening now? We hear from lots of people that they're out of work, or have lost their homes or jobs. In September and October 2008, we distribute food to more than 150 persons each month. Starting in August 2008, we publish a newsletter for the people who come to receive food each month:

Neighborhood News in English
Noticiero del Vecindario en Espaņol

OUMC's Latino ministry and local organizing committee (WFIC) will continue regular food distributions as long as they are needed. We believe this is a valuable outreach to our community in which we are truly living up to OUMC's mission:

Making a Difference Through Christ!

Jesus said, "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me... Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me. " -- Matthew 25:35, 40.