Community Service

Lake Lunches

Lake Merritt UMC distributes healthy lunches and hygiene supplies on Tuesdays and Thursdays (11:30 – 1:00) to the unsheltered and other individuals in need around the southwest end of Lake Merritt. We go to where people are living with wagons of lunches and other supplies. We provide 400 lunches a week, 20,000 over a year. Additionally, every Tuesday we also provide walk-up bag lunches from the church parking lot at 12:30pm. All lunches are prepared every Monday at 2pm. Volunteer to prepare or deliver lunches (see sign-up box below). Donate to Lake Lunches here. And check out this video about our service to our unhoused neighbors – video

If you are in need of food assistance, call the Emergency Food Helpline at (800) 870-3663 or go online at foodnow.net

 

VOLUNTEER with LMUMC Food Ministries

Sign up online at these links:

Lake Lunches – Monday through Thursday

Monthly Food Pantry Distribution – 4th Saturdays & Fridays prior

Donate to LMUMC Food Ministries here!

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Check out our LinkTree for more information & resources.

Food Pantry – 4th Saturday

Are you in need of food assistance? The Food Pantry distributes food on the 4th Saturday of every month, 8:00am – 10:00 am at the Lakeshore side of the church building.

The Lake Merritt United Methodist Church Food Pantry, in partnership with the Alameda County Community Food Bank, has been serving the Oakland Community for over 30 years by providing free food to individuals and families in need. Currently, food is shared through a client-choice distribution model where folks can select food instead of pre-filled bags. The Food Pantry provides nutritious shelf stable foods and fresh fruits and vegetables. Last year, we distributed 130,000 pounds of food, including 85,000 pounds of fresh produce to over 15,000 people throughout the year.

 

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

 

Classic Thanksgiving Menu and Recipes

THANKSGIVING MEAL
 
Every year, Community members are welcome to our annual Thanksgiving sit-down meal!  
Served from 12pm to 1:30pm on Thanksgiving Day. In 2025 we will hold our 40th meal.
 
Thanksgiving volunteer sign-up available in October
 
To help cover the costs of this and our other food ministries, please give your donations via online at this link here. Click the Food Ministries tab under ‘Contributions’ and type in your desired dollar amount. Or you may donate by mail or drop-off to the Church Office 1255 First Ave, Oakland, CA 94606