River of Life Church in Cincinnati provides meals for more than 150 people every Saturday at 9 a.m.

As a ministry of the church, Faith Food Pantry distributes food and household supplies to people living in Over the Rhine and in some of the communities that are located in the surrounding area.

The majority of the food is donated by the Freestore Foodbank and is either given away or sold at a significant discount. Also, their funding comes from donations made by individuals and churches, as well as grants and the Hunger Walk.

Faith Food Pantry at River of Life

In contrast to the majority of pantries, Faith Food Pantry is a choice pantry. They have shopping carts available, just like in a grocery store, so that recipients can walk through aisles that are stocked with a variety of goods and choose what they need.

The pantry contains a variety of food items, some of which include canned goods, frozen meats, fresh produce, items for breakfast, 100% juices, and more.

According to the church's post, River of Life distributes other items, such as clothing and books, that have been donated by the community. A significant number of the church's volunteers are also patrons of the pantry.

In addition to this, they have volunteers from the church as well as from other supporting churches located all over the neighborhood. Through Faith Food Pantry, they see leading people to a relationship with Jesus Christ as the pinnacle of their ministry.

It also stated that River of Life desires everyone who walks through their doors to understand that they are loved by Christ and by His Church no matter who they are or where they come from.

As per the post, people who visit the food pantry are met by volunteers from River of Life who offer to pray with them, spend time with them, and, ultimately, invite them to church so they can continue receiving ministry.

The church always works hard to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the people in the community and beyond, including those who attend or have joined their fellowship, which is why a significant number of people from the pantry attend their gatherings or have joined them.

About River of Life Church

As stated in the church’s history, when they consider the past of River of Life, they get an exciting picture of how God has been gracious to them throughout history.

The church began as an overgrowth of Dr. Jonathan Burnham's aspiration to establish new congregations in locations all over the world. The congregation of Hope Evangelical Free Church in Mason, Ohio both shared and helped cultivate this desire.

River of Life has been successful in growing and attracting people from a diverse range of racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

After learning that local minister Alvin Sanders felt called to start a church, they gradually came to believe that the Lord intended for him to serve as the congregation's pastor. In the summer of 2000, Alvin and his wife Caroline started River of Life with a Bible study for locals.

Another remarkable act of generosity occurred in February 2003 when the congregation of Hope Church voted to purchase a building with a total area of 33,000 square feet so that it could serve as their permanent home.

At the time, it was understood that River of Life would eventually buy the property from Hope Church.