November 12th, 2024
Photo Credits: Rachel Bonilla
San Bernardino County is known to be the largest county in the nation. Within the vast area is the City of San Bernardino, known for the breathtaking landscape of Lake Silverwood and the San Bernardino National Forest. Another wonder of the area, which may be unknown to some is Saint John’s Episcopal Church, San Bernardino.
This faith-based congregation is committed to serving folks who need food assistance. As a Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) partner, they provide pantry services to their clients at no cost. They have been a Community Partner with FARSB since 2000 when FARSB was still The Second Harvest Food Bank Serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, but their reach and impact have gone above and beyond.
Pantry Impact
The Saint John’s Episcopal Church Pantry serves over 500 households each month, with distributions held every Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Since becoming Pantry Director in 2015, Dennis Pederson has helped transform what began as a small operation providing beans and rice into a full-scale pantry that now serves approximately 140 households at each distribution—and is continually increasing.
The pantry relies on donations to maintain food distribution levels and partners with FARSB to acquire much of that food.
In 2015, Dennis Pederson began preparing food bags for his local neighborhood at St. John’s Episcopal Church with his wife, who is also a pastor at the church. Dennis became more involved with the pantry after recognizing a growing need within the community.
Each week, Dennis assesses how many households were assisted and works to acquire enough food to meet the demand, ensuring families receive full meals, including staples such as dairy, protein, and fresh produce. He adds water bottles, cereal, juice, fruit cups, yogurts, and meats. Although Dennis is pleased to see his pantry serving as a resource for families and children, he is disheartened by the rising need for food assistance.
Small, but Mighty
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the pantry served roughly 60 households weekly, but that demand has increased by over 133% to around 140 households weekly. However, providing no-cost food to community members is not the only way they serve their recipients.
In addition to the food pantry, the Church supports a free medical clinic, associated with UCR School of Medicine, on the first and third Saturdays, allowing pre-med students, nurses, and doctors to offer medical services to those in need, and an after-school program Monday through Thursday. However, both of these programs are currently on hiatus.
An active example of their outreach effort is the provided meeting space for members of Alcoholic Anonymous and Narcotic Anonymous groups three evenings a week.
When reflecting on his role in the food pantry, Dennis shared, “I like what I do, I feel a real mission...at the beginning of a distribution we (church staff, volunteers, and neighbors) give thanks for the food, people who distribute, and bless the people who are coming. I feel like that is an important part of this service”. This shared passion drives Dennis and his team to do their utmost every Wednesday to ensure the community not only receives food but also feels a sense of hope.
"Our congregation is a very small group, about 15 people." He says, "We're strong for a small number." With a small group of dedicated members, they supply the need as they are able, but need more people to join the cause.
Wrap-Up
Without our Partner Network, FARSB couldn't reach as many people as we do. We deeply appreciate the tireless efforts of partners like Dennis and Saint John’s Episcopal Church, San Bernardino, who are committed to ending hunger. By working together with FARSB and other pantries, we can continue alleviating food insecurity, one household at a time.
St John's Episcopal Church:
1407 N. Arrowhead Avenue
San Bernardino 92405
If you are in need of food assistance, visit: FeedingIE.org/find-a-pantry to find one near you.
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