Love That Nourishes

The Poor & Hunger : Shepherd’s Heart Food Bank

Advent:

“You shall call his name Jesus…and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:31-33)

The Need:

More people die daily of hunger than died of Covid-19 at the peak of the pandemic.  Food insecurity effects 47 million Americans even though we are the wealthiest nation in the history of the world including approximately 40,000 people in the Greater Waco community.  What makes matters more unjust is that our farmers and ranchers do the sacred work of producing enough food so that no one should go hungry.  Hunger in the United States affects millions of people, including children, seniors, and families, who struggle to access enough nutritious food to live and flourish as God intended. It is often driven by factors such as low wages, unemployment, high housing costs, and limited access to grocery stores or transportation. Food insecurity not only threatens physical health but also impacts mental well-being, education, and overall quality of life. 

Our Partner in Ministry: 

Food pantries, like Shepard’s Heart in Waco, play a critical role in addressing hunger by distributing meals and groceries to individuals and families in need. They act as a safety net, reaching people who may not qualify for government assistance and helping to bridge gaps in food access within communities. Shepard’s Heart (SH) and other Waco food pantries were a lifeline to families who lost SNAP access during the most recent government shutdown.

SH’s mission is to feed, clothe, empower and advocate for families in need throughout our community, demonstrating to them the love of God. Shepherd's Heart is staffed with volunteers that wish to make a difference in the lives of others by ministering to the needs of the hungry and hurting, to the extent that lives will be changed and people will learn, in practical ways, the love of God. Each day SH receives food from the Central Texas Food Bank, local stores, restaurants, and other food donors, that needs to be checked and processed to be prepared for our food distributions.

How we can help: 

Shepard’s Heart needs volunteers daily Monday through Friday to package food for the daily distributions. Please contact us via email or call 254-722-9517. Without your help, there would be serious problems with thousands of people that would not just be hungry, there could be serious health problems associated with their situation. Our donations this Advent season will go to reduce the food needs of our fellow Wacoans.

Dayspring liaison: 

Jeremy Everett