Giving

Hunger Relief Ministries

NFUMC Vegetable Garden

Tiny Pantry

The southwest corner of our church campus has been growing vegetables for 19 years currently under the green thumb of Tom Lutz and a team of 12 volunteers. Most of the harvested veggies are sent to the FISH food pantry in Newberg the remainder are offered to church members on a donation basis with the proceeds also donated to support FISH.

A John Deer tractor, purchased by the donations of many who supported the garden ministry, makes soil cultivation and weeding much easier.

A small shed, affectionately known as “The John”  built in memory of one of the garden founders,  John Shaffer, stores the tools, fence components and water irrigation system supplies during the off season.

The 2024 growing season produced 2,388 pounds of corn, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, potatoes, and more!  Zinnia flowers were included in our donations to FISH, which brought many smiles to recipients.  Pumpkins will be shared with neighborhood children at the annual October Harvest Party for painting and carving.  

 

Our Tiny Pantry, located at the beginning of the church driveway, is available to any neighbor who needs a meal.  Food to stock the pantry is purchased by the church using our Hunger Relief funds, but church and community members are welcome to help us stock the Tiny Pantry with any shelf-stable, ready-to-eat meals and snacks such as tuna salad kits, canned chili and beef stew, granola bars, and fruit cups. Items must be in their original factory packaging, not expired, and not require cooking beyond a basic microwave.

Mabel Rush PB&J Packs

During the school year, volunteers from NFUMC assemble approximately 30
peanut butter and jelly sandwich packs for students at the neighboring
Mable Rush Elementary.  At the beginning of each school year, families
can opt-in to receive this weekly food pack.  Each pack includes 2
loaves of bread, a jar of peanut butter, and a jar of jelly.  They are
assembled on Thursday mornings and delivered to the elementary school
for students to take home on Fridays.