Food Programs
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 Lake Merritt. In 2020, despite COVID19, we distributed over 5,000 bagged lunches. Lunches are prepared every Monday at 2pm. Volunteer to prepare or deliver lunches (see sign-up box).
Tuesday Hot Meals
Each Tuesday, delicious well-balanced hot meals prepared by local restauranteurs are made available to the community for curbside pick up from our 1st Avenue parking lot at 1:15. This is made possible through a partnership with Eastlake United for Racial Justice (EUJ) and World Central Kitchen. Volunteer to help distribute these meals.
If you are low-income and in need of food assistance, call the Emergency Food Helpline at (800) 870-3663 or go online at foodnow.net
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.
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!
Would you like to receive email updates? Sign up here! You may opt out at any time.
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
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Also, there will be an on-site person on Tues. Nov. 23 & Wed. Nov. 24 to accept your donations of tangerines, clementines, and single-serve boxes of raisins (no pie donations this year). If you have any questions, please contact us at