Project Food is a social service project of First Congregational Church begun in November of 1984 in response to the increasing numbers of homeless and needy in and near the downtown area. Initially a hot, sit down dinner was served every Wednesday, and clothing and blankets were distributed. In later years, a children’s program of crafts and reading was added, known as Storytime. Project Food is currently networking with the County Mental Health Homeless Intervention Team, the County Health Department for immunizations, as well as other faith-based organizations. A Christmas program complete with Santa Claus, gifts, and a special dinner is provided every year. Students from local junior and senior high schools and colleges donate many hours of community service time to Project Food.
In 2008, Project Food added a Student Run Health Clinic with students from the University of California, Riverside. This includes medical and basic dental services twice a month.
On that first Wednesday evening in 1984, we served 17 guests. Today, the average number of guests is around 200! For over 3 decades, Project Food has not only provided a service to the needy, but has also provided hours of fellowship and fun for our volunteers.
NEEDS @ PROJECT FOOD
Project food is in need of old backpacks and blankets. If you have any to donate, please contact fcc.projectfood@gmail.com.
Also, as always, our guests need socks and underwear, warm hats and jackets, and basic toiletries. If you are shopping with Amazon, go to Amazon Smile and look for Project Food. Here is the link to our wish list!
https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3HJ9EJ61SYMOG?ref_=wl_share
Monetary donations can also be sent to
P.O. Box 1648, Riverside, CA 92502 or via PayPal at
: https://www.paypal.me/firstcongregational
(Be sure to add “Project Food” in the memo area)
Thank you for your continued support of this crucial ministry of FCC.
Our Mission Statement:
Our understanding of God’s work leads us to address the needs of the homeless/poor of our community through Project Food. Project Food provides a weekly hot meal and includes a program for the children in a non-threatening, caring environment. There shall be an effort to coordinate services and cooperate with appropriate public agencies and other churches. The program shall include ongoing assessment of needs as well as yearly re-evaluations by the Project Food Board.
CONTACT PROJECT FOOD
We cannot eliminate hunger,
but we can feed each other.
We cannot eliminate loneliness,
but we can hold each other.
We cannot eliminate pain,
but we can live a life of compassion.
– Excerpt from “Accepting This” by Mark Nepo