Food Programs
The Food Programs at Lake Merritt UMC
Over the past 4 years, our annual benefit “LIFT concert” has helped the Food Pantry raise nearly $30,000. The concerts help ensure the Food Pantry and expanded programs can continue to operate and serve the community. The food programs are 100% volunteer operated and 100% of the concert proceeds go to fund the resources distributed. Our clients face uncertainty in many areas of their lives, but we seek to remain an unfailing source of food.
Food Pantry – 4th Saturday
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 on the fourth Saturday of the month 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.
Are you in need of food assistance? The Food Pantry distributes food on the 4th Saturday of every month, 9:30am – 12:00pm. You can find the food distribution on the Lakeshore side of the church building, at the bottom of the stairs.
You qualify for the food distribution if you are low-income and in need of food assistance. If you are in need of food assistance, you can also call the Emergency Food Helpline at (800) 870 – 3663.
VOLUNTEER with LMUMC Food Ministries
Sign up online at these links:
Lake Lunches – Monday through Thursday
Monthly Food Pantry Distribution – 4th Saturdays
Feasts with Friends, Friday Night Dinners
Twice a Month – Laney College Food Pantry Distribution
Donate to LMUMC Food Ministries here!
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As the needs of our community have evolved, we have expanded our delivery channels to address food insecurity in two new ways:
Lake Lunches
For the past four years, LMUMC has been distributing healthy lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays to individuals in need around Lake Merritt. Since the beginning of 2018, we have distributed over 1,600 bagged lunches.
Laney College Partnership
In 2017, a study conducted at Laney College showed that over half of student respondents were found to have low food security in one form or another. In response to this demonstrated need, LMUMC is partnering with Laney College to distribute dry food items, such as peanut butter and canned tuna, to students on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. The ACCFB delivers fresh produce on the first and third Tuesdays.
Feasting with Friends
Each Friday evening, we gather in fellowship to prepare a warm meal for our neighbors in the Lake Merritt Community Cabins. As we prepare to serve our neighbors that welcome us to their table, we seize the opportunity to foster community around a feast. Join us Friday evenings in the church kitchen to ‘Feast with our Friends’.