Ascension Lutheran Church invited its community members to join their "A Loving Community Pantry" program every Tuesday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the church’s parking lot.
The church’s website announced that they also have an outdoor food pantry on 51st Street open 24 hours daily. They added that their community partners are stocking the said pantry.
The church also noted that they welcome guests for walk-ups or drive-throughs.
Community Pantry
According to the same website, A Loving Community Pantry is a church’s ministry to give out food to the community.
Besides, they revealed that this project was held every month. But in the Spring of 2020, they saw a great opportunity to expand their ministry from a monthly to a weekly distribution. As further explained, Ascension Lutheran Church witnessed the impact of the pandemic.
The church’s team planned and secured additional food resources, and they officially started the weekly distribution in July 2020. They said that they have many guests who keep on coming back to receive groceries.
More importantly, the church emphasized that they are thankful that San Diego Food Bank honored their project as Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) Agency of the month. They were also recognized for their Exemplary Communications and Reporting, as added on the website.
Emergency Food Assistance Program
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank explained that the EFAP is a government program. They give monthly food packages to people and families who pass the income guidelines set by the authorities.
They added that the Food Bank looks over the program and distributes food from the USDA. The website revealed that they distribute food to over 100,000 people at 90 distribution areas throughout San Diego county.
Moreover, they mentioned that the participants could get food monthly at a local distribution in their area.
Income Guidelines
The same website revealed that income guidelines are based on household size and income. The federal government sets the standards of those qualified to receive food assistance, as noted on the website.
According to the website, the USDA updated the guidelines in July 2022.
As further posted, they would support those with a monthly income of $2, 661.38 with only one household. The website added that those with two members in the household with a total of $43,028.50 annual income could get food assistance from the Food Bank.
In addition, the website posted that the government would help those with a household with three to four members with an annual income of $54,120.50 and $65,212.50, respectively.
As part of the list, they mentioned that those with eight members in their household with $109 580.50 yearly income are qualified for the food assistance program.
More than 500 Partners
Meanwhile, the other section of the website revealed that San Diego Food Bank and North County Food Bank chapters work with over 500 organizations around the county. They desire to assist families in having free access to nutritious food.
They provide options for their guests, as explained on the website. They said they could give walk-up or drive-thru help.
More from Crossmaps:
Journey Community Church runs movie series on Fridays, Sundays
