Feeding the Poor/"The Lord's Pantry" Feeding The Poor

Day of distribution: Monthly Food Distribution is the Fourth Thursday
(Exception: November and December are one week earlier)
Distribution Time: 3 p.m.
Registration: Register for your food at the time of distribution. No tax returns or official papers are required. If you need help you qualify!
Location: Mariposa County Park (In Town).
Yearly calendars are available at various county agencies or by contacting the church.
Emergency food (Available on most days): Call the church

Church Ph. (209) 966-5090
(Please do not call on distribution day as everyone is very busy!)

Note: On distribution day all recipients must pick up their own food boxes. If you cannot do this, and wish to make other arrangements, please do so by calling the church by Monday

or Tuesday of that week.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Feeding Mariposa .. Spirit, Soul & Body

“When you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren,
you have done it unto me.” Jesus ~ Matt. 25:40

Mariposa County's Largest Free Food Program

Report Update ~ January 2009

Now in it's 12^th year of operation, "The Lord’s Pantry" remains the most significant food distribution ministry in the entire region of the north/central Sierras with 35 to 50 tons of food distributed annually. The food ministry, and blessing the people in need, has been the vision of Pastor Falany for many years.

Support
The TLP ministry is operated solely by the devoted members of Mariposa Revival Center and a few precious volunteers from the community. It is also financially supported by the MRC congregation with occasional gifts from other various sources.

No Cost and No Strings Attached
The food is given to the people at no cost to them. However free-will offerings to the church are always welcome.

Also, the purpose of the food program is to feed the poor, not to grow our church. The recipients of the food are never made to feel "obligated" to join our church.

Type of Food

The food generally consists of fresh produce, cereals, breads, packaged goods, juices, canned goods, snacks, chips, candies, bottled drinks, etc. The food boxes (usually a combination of boxes and bags) normally contain a generous portion of between 30 and 50 pounds of the various wholesome foods.

A Community Service
Besides the “word of mouth” grapevine, people are sent to us by: Indian Agencies, Social Services, The Mariposa Senior Citizen Center, Child Care groups, Mariposa Manna House, and several other public agencies. We have also been able to help members from just about every other church in the community. These agencies are sent a poster at the beginning of each year to display to their people.

Two Dynamics of Distribution
1. There is a distribution day once every month to any and all that come to receive it at the designated distribution time. Please ask for our calendar for the current dates.

2. We also offer an “on-call” program for “emergency food” situations. We post the phone number of the church for the people to call when there is an urgent need. Arrangements are then made to give them a box or bags of food.

The Largest Free Food Program in the County
“The Lord’s Pantry” has been feeding between 130 and 150 families or households every month. That translates into approximately 300 to 500 people.

Each month the pastor, or other volunteers, delivers literally tons of food to the church by truck and trailer from the central valley for the monthly distribution. Much of this food is purchased from northern California food banks. The rest is acquired from contributions from farmers, stores and sometimes other churches or food ministries in the San Joaquin Valley.

The Pantry distributes 70,000 to 100,000 pounds of groceries and other amenities to the people every year.

Since the fall of 1998 the pantry is estimated to have served more than 800 individual households for a total of more than 4000 people. Most of these have been served many times. The Pantry has also supplied other churches and has been the supplier of neighborhood outreaches for churches in other towns.

Love and Respect in Action
The church has observed some other food give-away programs where the love and sensitivity to the hurting people seems to be somewhat lacking. That’s why we believe in love in action. Every member of our team is instructed to personally love on the people. We not only want to meet the physical needs of the people, but "we want them to know that they have been loved on when they come here." We make it a point to talk to them and mix with them and let them know that they are worthy and that there is hope .. and that we really care.

We also have a ministry prayer team that will fellowship with them and walk with them to their cars and pray with them if they desire ... and most do! Many praise reports and healing testimonies have resulted from these times of ministry.

Tax Deductible Contributions Are Welcome!
This ministry, which we feel is the true heart of God, is an awesome undertaking for such a small church. If you feel the leading of the Holy Spirit to give to this endeavor please obey HIM! This is a 100% volunteer ministry. That makes any donations very effective in buying and providing food to the needy.

Please Pray For "The Lord's Pantry"
We also covet the prayers of the saints. This is a very important ministry in this community, and in the eyes of God. We need divine intervention to be able to continue to meet the needs of the people.

Mariposa Revival Center
P.O. Box 1269 Mariposa, Ca. 95338
email: