Health & Fitness
I Have A Secret I Want Everyone To Know About
Do you like secrets?
Well, there seems to be a well-kept secret in Imperial Beach. Only a few people even know about it. But that must change.
The Secret:
The Imperial Beach United Methodist Church has several outreach programs that help people who are struggling with having food and those who are homeless.
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Every Tuesday and Thursday from 9-11am, the church opens its doors for its Broken Loaf Food Pantry. This program offers free emergency food to those in the Imperial Beach community. Because of our limited supply of food, we are only able to help individuals every 90 days. Of course, if we had more food on our shelves we could give out food more often.
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Every Saturday from 6-9am, the church opens its doors for its Loaves & Fishes Breakfast and Shower Program. While everyone is invited, this program attracts our homeless brothers and sisters. A free hot breakfast is served. Showers are available as well as clothing. We are always encouraging individuals to volunteer to prepare and serve food and be a part of the welcoming community. Every Saturday, we see an average of 35 homeless people.
Every Second Friday of the Month at 9am, the church opens its doors for a Food Commodities Distribution. Working with the San Diego Food Bank, the church gives out free food to persons in the community. In the month of December, over 300 individuals lined up to receive food.
Every year, the church opens its doors for its annual Thanksgiving Day Community Meal. On Thanksgiving Day, a traditional holiday meal is prepared and served to all who come. It is a festive feast beginning with the celebration of Holy Communion. And the only complaint heard from those attending was they got too much food.
And also every year, the church opens its doors to the Interfaith Shelter Network. The church hosts up to twelve homeless individuals. They eat and sleep in the church’s fellowship hall. This two week event usually happens around Christmas.
These are programs that happen at the IB United Methodist Church located at 455 Palm Avenue, yet it seems many in the city are unaware of any of this.
When I first arrived here in the city this past July, I requested to meet with City Council Members and the Mayor. Only one City Council Member responded back to set up a meeting. In our time together, he admitted not knowing all that happens at this church. And I know he is not alone. Many residents and businesses do not know of our work either.
But this must change. The days of this being a secret need to end. I want everyone to know what is happening. I want you to know because these programs need your support.
To continue these programs, we need financial donations, we need donation of non-perishable canned food items, we need donation of clothing and we always need volunteers.
When I was explaining what the church did to someone, he asked, “Why does the church bother to do these things? It takes a lot of work and resources. So, why?”
The Answer: This Church is compelled to help the least of our brothers and sister because Jesus commanded us to do so. We believe this is in keeping with what Jesus taught and lived. And to be a follower of Jesus, this is what we must do. We need to assist those who are hungry and those who are homeless.
This is the secret that I do not want to have as a secret any longer. I want the entire city to know. I want you to know. I want you to tell others. Furthermore, I invite you to help out as you can. I pray individuals and businesses will join the effort so we can give even more food out weekly. I remain hopeful the remainder of the City Council and the Mayor will want to know more about this program in their city. They need to know.
Help me get the word out!
If you are interested in helping, email me at JonEdwin@aol.com. I will be thrilled to hear from you!
Blessings,
Pastor John
Imperial Beach United Methodist Church
455 Palm Avenue
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Sunday Morning Worship
9AM – a thirty minute worship with Holy Communion
10:30AM- an hour long worship with Holy Communion celebrated the first Sunday of the month. Child Care available at 10:30AM.
9:30AM – Sunday School for Elementary Age Children
At this church, our hearts, our minds and our doors are always open!
