Food Sharing Sundays: The Complete Story
Here at GPUC we always have lots of new faces, many of whom may not know of the work we do with the Crossroads East Food Bank, or how they may participate in this effort. This on-going project is a part of GPUC community outreach.
Crossroads East is located inside the building housing Salem Memorial Lutheran Church, 21230 Moross at Chester, just one long block east of I-94. It supports our neediest, most desperate neighbors, and is oriented to assist in emergency situations rather than regular, long-term help.
A bit of history: In 1971, a small group of committed people joined together to lend a hand to the people in the neighborhoods. Now, forty one years later, Crossroads has helped to change the lives of more than 103,000 people in the metro Detroit area and beyond.
Here at GPUC, following a tradition founded by long-time members Carrie and Russell Peebles many years ago, we designate the first Sunday of each month to be our First Sunday Food Sharing day, or “FSFS”. Occasionally, FSFS may take place on an alternate Sunday because of holidays. The event is also listed on the weekly email sent to members from the church office. On FSFS days, we are all encouraged to bring in non-perishables, essentially canned and boxed foods that do not require refrigeration. If preferred, you may make a monetary donation towards the purchase of such items. Even though we send out email reminders on the Thursday or Friday before FSFS, we leave a small set of shelves in the coatroom at all times so that contributing is easy for everyone. If you know you will not be attending the service on that day, or forget your items, you can always bring in anything you wish to contribute and leave it on those shelves any day of the month.
Besides the monthly FSFS collection, we also make a weekly Saturday “bread run” to the Kroger store in the Village. The surplus bread and baked goods collected are then delivered on Mondays, when Crossroads re-opens after being closed on the weekend. In addition, money and checks that are donated are used to purchase “high priority” items that the Crossroads volunteers or director designate as special needs. Generally, these are high-protein foods. GPUC is one of the only suppliers of fresh eggs (at least 20 dozen/month) and many gallons of fresh milk, which are highly prized by mothers with children. Canned meats such as tuna, chicken and salmon are always needed. Peanut butter is another important staple. Combination foods such as Chef Boyardee-type canned pastas with meat, beef stew, chili, or macaroni and cheese are always in demand. Cash or checks can be dropped into the "Yes You Can" can, (actually a jar). (For tax deduction purposes checks should be made out to GPUC – with “Crossroads” or “Food Sharing” at the bottom.)
We are always aiming to surpass our previous year's total poundage of food donated, and through the extreme generosity of so many GPUC members and friends, we have been able to deliver more than 71,000 pounds of critically needed foods over the last 8 years. That's more than 35 tons!
The generous hearts and helping hands at GPUC are having a huge impact on improving the food supply for our neighbors in need. If you have additional questions or wish to take a more active role in this process, please contact Jenny Marck using the contact information found in the church directory.
Crossroads East is located inside the building housing Salem Memorial Lutheran Church, 21230 Moross at Chester, just one long block east of I-94. It supports our neediest, most desperate neighbors, and is oriented to assist in emergency situations rather than regular, long-term help.
A bit of history: In 1971, a small group of committed people joined together to lend a hand to the people in the neighborhoods. Now, forty one years later, Crossroads has helped to change the lives of more than 103,000 people in the metro Detroit area and beyond.
Here at GPUC, following a tradition founded by long-time members Carrie and Russell Peebles many years ago, we designate the first Sunday of each month to be our First Sunday Food Sharing day, or “FSFS”. Occasionally, FSFS may take place on an alternate Sunday because of holidays. The event is also listed on the weekly email sent to members from the church office. On FSFS days, we are all encouraged to bring in non-perishables, essentially canned and boxed foods that do not require refrigeration. If preferred, you may make a monetary donation towards the purchase of such items. Even though we send out email reminders on the Thursday or Friday before FSFS, we leave a small set of shelves in the coatroom at all times so that contributing is easy for everyone. If you know you will not be attending the service on that day, or forget your items, you can always bring in anything you wish to contribute and leave it on those shelves any day of the month.
Besides the monthly FSFS collection, we also make a weekly Saturday “bread run” to the Kroger store in the Village. The surplus bread and baked goods collected are then delivered on Mondays, when Crossroads re-opens after being closed on the weekend. In addition, money and checks that are donated are used to purchase “high priority” items that the Crossroads volunteers or director designate as special needs. Generally, these are high-protein foods. GPUC is one of the only suppliers of fresh eggs (at least 20 dozen/month) and many gallons of fresh milk, which are highly prized by mothers with children. Canned meats such as tuna, chicken and salmon are always needed. Peanut butter is another important staple. Combination foods such as Chef Boyardee-type canned pastas with meat, beef stew, chili, or macaroni and cheese are always in demand. Cash or checks can be dropped into the "Yes You Can" can, (actually a jar). (For tax deduction purposes checks should be made out to GPUC – with “Crossroads” or “Food Sharing” at the bottom.)
We are always aiming to surpass our previous year's total poundage of food donated, and through the extreme generosity of so many GPUC members and friends, we have been able to deliver more than 71,000 pounds of critically needed foods over the last 8 years. That's more than 35 tons!
The generous hearts and helping hands at GPUC are having a huge impact on improving the food supply for our neighbors in need. If you have additional questions or wish to take a more active role in this process, please contact Jenny Marck using the contact information found in the church directory.
