Our Feeding Ministries, known as “Feeding the Spirit,” has various parts to it. Throughout the year, we support local nonprofits by providing food, clothing and other needed items. We also strive to make local connections with other church ministries, to help support their missions.
Here are just a few of the ongoing community initiatives, partnerships and our own outreach efforts which Feeding the Spirit is involved:
Grace MealWhat we have come to call the Grace Meal is a community meal, open to anyone who may need or want one. The meals are served every Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church at Queen and James Streets in Lancaster. A group of members at Good Shepherd Church is responsible for preparing a meal prior to the third Wednesday of the month. We start at 3 pm that Wednesday to prepare the room and get the food ready to serve by 5:15. It takes about fifteen volunteers to cook, prepare the room and serve. So we are always looking for new faces to join us in fun, fellowship, and service.
Bushels of LoveEach month, we collect food, money and/or goods during our Bushels of Love program. We accept and distribute these donations to organizations such as Conestoga Valley SEEDS the Pet Pantry in Lancaster, the Lancaster Food Hub, Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services and the Grace Meal. Bushels of Love also collects food and monetary donations for the Thanksgiving Turkey Boxes and our in-person Thanksgiving Dinner. We will continue to collect items each month to support the needs of these important nonprofits.
Conestoga Valley SEEDSWe provide meals and other needed items throughout the year for Conestoga Valley SEEDS. The meals are prepared in our kitchen and are served at SEEDS new building. SEEDS which stands for Selfless Love, Empowerment, Equity, Deliberate Partnership, and Stewardship, enriches lives by connecting our community to housing resources, educational supplies, and health services.
Power PacksOur congregation partners with the Power Packs Project, helping to pack meal boxes for students in the Conestoga Valley School District, Kindergarten-12th grade. We meet 9-11 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month during the school year to pack boxes at the Power Packs warehouse at 1915 Olde Homestead Lane, Suite 102 in Lancaster. We also serve as a Power Packs distribution center. During that time parents can pick up meals from 3:30 to 5:30.
Turkey Box MondayUsing vendor and congregational donations, member volunteers fill boxes with items such as turkeys, turkey cutlets, potatoes, yams, green beans, cranberry sauce and more. By way of reservations, they are then distributed at the church for pick-up as free ready-to-cook meals the Monday before Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Day DinnerOn that special day of “thanks” we invite all in the community to come and enjoy a free traditional Thanksgiving meal at the church. To ensure a delicious event, donations of food and money are secured from the congregation as well as local vendors. Member volunteers promote the meal, as well as prepare and serve it family-style, which includes roast turkey and all the trimmings. Though we are not set up for take-out, we do our best to provide plenty of seating. No reservations are necessary.