I have worshipped in nearly any and every place imaginable. I have participated in formal communal worship services in places far beyond the walls of church campuses.
Today, I worshipped in a food pantry for the first time in my life.
Hope Pantry
White Rock Center of Hope started in 1988 as a Food Pantry serving a single zip code in East Dallas. This 501(c)3 launched in a space offered as an in-kind donation by a Presbyterian church. Over the last 37 years Hope transitioned from donated space to its own 16,000+ square foot facility and grew from a Food Pantry to a Basic Needs organization (providing food, clothing, and resources to help folks remain sheltered) and from a Basic Needs non-profit to a holistic community organization that cultivates hope through Basic Needs and Personalized Empowerment.
From the very beginning, Hope Pantry has been the primary way neighbors in need have come to know and connect with our organization. For more than 35 years, Hope provided groceries to the East Dallas community. Recently, Hope reimagined this lifeline, moving from pre-packed grocery bags based on household size to a neighbor choice model. With this new approach, families are empowered to select the foods that best meet their needs right now – transforming a passive act of receiving into one of choice and respect
With increased involvement by community volunteers – primarily through relationships with local churches – Hope Pantry has dramatically increased its impact. Over the last three years, Hope has increased the pounds of food distributed from under 400,000 a year to over 1,000,000.
King of Glory
I first encountered King of Glory Lutheran Church (ELCA) in 2003 when I interviewed for a role and joined their staff. Not long after that, Harold Huddleston joined the staff team to oversee youth ministries. While I left the congregation almost 20 years ago, Harold has continued shepherding their youth ministry.
Our continued friendship has led to shared ministry opportunities over the years, including KoG’s youth group serving at Hope on multiple occasions.
Pantry Worship
Our latest collaboration sought to bring together a number of elements not previously attempted. First, the event was opened not only to youth but also children’s ministry. Second, rather than a traditional weekday or Saturday service project the opportunity was scheduled on Sunday morning during the congregation’s normal worship time.
This new way of serving led us to imagine and ultimately lead a service project that consisted of a short worship service followed by a tour and a service project.
More than 40 children, youth, and their family members participated in something that was new for both KoG and Hope.
Timing
This event was planned well before the federal government shutdown and before anyone imagined what quickly became the wildest week in the history of SNAP (previously known as Food Stamps).
While 42 million food insecure Americans wait for news about when or if they will receive their benefits for the month of November, we gathered to worship. And, then we continued to live out our faith by serving – preparing the Neighbor Choice Pantry for a new week of service and packaging bags of non-perishable staples.
So What?
There’s something profoundly moving about sharing Holy Communion in a space that serves as a food pantry 99.99% of the time. The experience carried even deeper meaning as we remembered how many of our neighbors are struggling to stretch their groceries because of a temporary loss of SNAP benefits.
After being fed at the Lord’s Table, everyone turned their attention to feeding others. Children, youth, and adults of all ages worked side by side – cleaning, organizing, sorting, packing, and serving with joy and purpose. In that moment, those who had received the body of Christ became the body of Christ, revealing in small but powerful ways what it looks like when heaven touches earth.
Note: As far as I know, today was the first time a formal communal service of worship was held within the walls of the Hope Food Pantry.