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Stories from around the synod Connecting Abundance to Need – Bread Ministry at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Manchester, MO transforms baker’s waste into a thriving ministry of feeding the poor in St. Louis, MO. Did you ever wonder what happened to a bakery shop’s unsold goods at the end of the day? Good Shepherd Lutheran Church’s member Dick Hood, who passed away last year, asked that very question and, as a result, launched a new ministry to feed the poor in 2002. The Bread Ministry began about five years ago when Dick became aware that a local bakery had to dispose of ALL bread and pastry products at the end of every business day. Dick discovered that the bakery was not permitted to transport or deliver the leftovers for legal reasons. In addition, Dick became aware of a tremendous need to provide food to the poor in St. Louis through Otis Woodard, who ministered to the people in the Peace Park neighborhood and other neighborhoods in North St. Louis through the “Lutheran Outreach Ministry”. Connecting abundance to need, the Bread Ministry of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church was born. Today, approximately 320 – 400 lbs. of baked goods are picked up each night, four nights a week, by volunteers and taken to the church for repackaging/distribution. On Wednesday’s, food is delivered by volunteers to the “Someone Cares Mission” Homeless Shelter in the city of St. Louis. On Saturday’s, volunteers deliver the food to a distribution site in the Peace Park neighborhood. Through this ministry effort, over 100 families are served throughout St. Louis weekly. In 2006, over $122,000 of donated baked goods were distributed throughout the region. Volunteers are the life-blood of this ministry effort. For the first few years there were only ten to twelve individuals that occasionally helped with this ministry. Today Good Shepherd has embraced this ministry by over 168 people volunteering throughout the year to minister to the disadvantaged. The cost associated with the Bread Ministry is minimal. The products are free. For those delivering the bread, there is use of gas and their vehicle but, that is tax deductible. Because Good Shepherd repackages the bread and baked pastries for individual families, there are plastic products involved, but that cost is covered through the church’s budget. Please consider starting a bread ministry in your congregation today. It is a good way to connect the abundance that can also be found in your community to the needs of others in order to make a difference in the name of Jesus Christ. Bernie & Bobbie
Widdis Jesus said, “Feed
my lambs.” John 21:15b
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