Lutherans Feeding Friends is the name of a new program developed by Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey. The U.S. economy is struggling. Americans are losing jobs. And food pantries which previously provided help to families in need are sometimes struggling themselves, as shelves empty at an unprecedented rate.

Two kinds of action are required: a swift response to this pressing problem, and a deeper-seated strategy that will help keep food pantries operating efficiently for a long time to come.

Lutherans Feeding Friends is designed to provide both. Phase I is the creation of an emergency fund to support and replenish the shelves of Lutheran food pantries that are in immediate need. The food pantries, generally run by Lutheran church congregations, supply food not only to Lutherans, but to hungry people of any religious faith or no religious faith.

Phase II is for the long haul. To help ensure that the food pantries receiving assistance stay strong, and to meet the need for start-up or expansion of food pantries throughout New Jersey, the Lutherans Feeding Friends program will include training of church and community members in the most effective methods of gathering, stocking and distributing nonperishable food supplies.

All food pantries that receive training and funds through Lutherans Feeding Friends will be required to report back on how funds were used, how many people were served, and other pertinent information. The goal will be to provide assistance for a specified period (for example, three months) so that food pantries will become robust enough to be self-sufficient.

LSM/NJ’s foundation, the Lutheran Foundation of New Jersey, has established a fund to grant seed money to provide immediate and future support. In addition, Lutherans Feeding Friends will seek funding from individuals, corporations and foundations.

YOU CAN HELP!!!
To support Lutherans Feeding Friends, individual contributions as well as donations of canned goods and non-perishable items will be needed. Donate Now to Lutherans Feeding Friends and be sure to designate your donation for Food Pantry. You can also incorporate a Jean Day program, like the staff at LSM/NJ’s Central Administrative Office did. By electing to make weekly $5 donations to the program, the employees are able to wear jeans on Fridays. For more information on how to start a Jean Day program, contact us at (609) 699-4139 for more information.