St. Gregory's Food Pantry

As soon as we walked into St. Gregory's we were welcomed by hugs and smiles. We found this cute little lady named Angela, who explained what happens when people come into the Food Pantry. Sara Miles introduced us to a few volunteers at the pantry and then we sat down with all the volunteers and ate a wonderful lunch. We quickly got to work. We were told to recycle cardboard boxes and a few of us got to sit down at the different stations. There was a reporter there who was taking pictures of Mari like she was a Queen (though I beg to differ- just kidding Mari).>

When we were done giving food to the people who came, Sara took us down stairs to show us some of Jenny's art work. The art was absolutely beautiful! She made these huge 3D pieces of work all made out of tiny beads stacked onto one another.

The Food Pantry is a very warm welcoming place that I would gladly go back to. We definitely felt like this place provided much more than a band aid for a huge wound in the world. It was more than just feeding people. It gave families an opportunity to be able to pay their rent by not worrying about paying for grocery's. It helped families stay together and out of the streets, along with giving them a community to be welcomed and a part of. After all, Jesus welcomes everyone at his table.

At the Food Pantry they center everything that happens around their table. They want to make everyone feel welcomed, not shove them to the back of the church and down the stairs to receive their food. By having the Food Pantry right around the table they are welcoming everyone (just like Jesus). All are welcomed to come and take whatever food they want, and pretty much anyone can volunteer there, as long as 'you' are not high, drunk, or shouting at people 'you' can volunteer.

The Food pantry is a very lovely place, where even I felt like I was a part of the community for the few hours I was there. There were so many smiling faces, and hugs given. The people were happy that we were there to help out, and we were excited that we were given the opportunity to serve.

xoxo,

C.Sipe.

P.S. If you ever go to San Fran- make sure you stop at St. Gregory's!