New Hope Pantry

New Hope Pantry is Changing!

After 24 years of serving New Kent and the surrounding areas through a drive thru, or free shop style pantry, God is leading us to change the way we do things! Instead of passing out groceries in the parking lot on Saturdays, we are moving in a new direction. Our amazing church family and awesome volunteers will be preparing and serving meals side by side for those in need and delivering to those who don't have access to food when they need it, or the ability to prepare it for themselves.

Why are we doing this? Well, for one, following Jesus' example, He served prepared foods, not groceries. Everything he passed out was ready to eat! Who did He serve? Those He was discipling, and those who were sitting at His feet to hear and learn from Him. When did He serve? When there was a need.

In His Word, God has instructed us to serve the poor and needy, to take care of the older widows, the fatherless and the orphans.

The early church met daily in people's homes devoting themselves to the apostle's teaching and to fellowship, eating together and prayer.

These are all the models we wish to follow. We don't know all the details yet, but will keep everyone posted as they come.

In addition to the more public Food Pantry Ministry, many of our church members have already been serving using this style by preparing meals for seniors, the unsheltered and widows on their own. Combining the strength of the food pantry ministry, with the more personal, fellowship style of prepared meals will have a powerful impact on our church, our circles of influence and those truly in need.

As we pray through the changes God has for us, we will be looking for additional resources, volunteers who love to plan meals, prepare, cook and serve foods, clean up and deliver. We have a "Food Truck" (mobile food trailer) we will be using to provide this model in the community at times, as well as stand in for our commercial kitchen until our building addition is complete.

This is yet another step of faith where we are dependent on God to show us the way, and to prove Himself faithful, yet again as He continues to supply our needs according to His riches in glory.

After all, it has never been New Hope Pantry providing the needs, it is God Himself. He can and will continue to use any resource He chooses to meet needs. This is where all hope lies.