Dear Friends,
As you know, the government shutdown has left many federal employees without pay, and SNAP benefits are no longer being renewed. Local food banks, already stretched thin, are preparing for a significant rise in food insecurity.
Here in Maricopa County, that reality affects at least 500,000 of our neighbors—more than 10% of the population. Among them are thousands of children who depend on school meal programs and food assistance to get enough to eat. When these safety nets falter, families are forced to make hard choices between food, rent, and other essentials.
In response, beginning this Sunday and continuing through November, we invite you to bring food items to church. Drop-off bins will be located outside the Music Center and on the patio—look for the signs and carts. Each Sunday, we’ll bless the food as an offering to God, given in service to our neighbors in need.
Five years ago, at the height of the pandemic, we began our monthly food drive together. Since then, your generosity has provided thousands of pounds of food each year to support our partner food banks. I invite you to continue that same generosity now, especially for the children and families who are most vulnerable in this time of need.
The Rev. Robert Berra
