BASIC GUIDELINES FOR A FOOD MINISTRY

Conduct a specific assessment of your community to discover current hunger needs and hunger resources (see the community assessment resource at www.namb.net/ministry)
Create a list of current providers of food for the hungry (include pantries, hot meal providers, food banks, congregate feeding programs, etc.
Do gaps and limitations exist in local feeding programs? (Are there groups of people not being served such as children, seniors; not enough food. Is transportation an issue for those needing food?)
Don’t forget that hunger may exist within the congregation

Answer the question, “How has God gifted our church to respond to community hunger needs? (1 Peter 4:10)

Answer the question, How has God gifted our church to respond to community hunger needs?” (1 Peter 4:10)
Begin a food pantry
Conduct a congregational survey to discover special needs or abilities to address hunger
Collaborate with an existing local or national food program
Conduct a food drive
Put hunger funds in the church budget
Provide vouchers to a local grocery for families
Provide “Mac Bucks” (or similar items) for individuals at a local fast food
Plan or provide annual meals for hungry people at appropriate times during the year (such as Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas, etc.)
Volunteerism, multiple opportunities, from transporting food, to cooking, to procurement, to menu planning
Participate with other Southern Baptist churches in giving to the World Hunger Offering and observing World Hunger Day the 2^nd Sunday of each October (moved from below)

Know local food resources for referral purposes (see list of where food can be located)
Talk to other hunger providers (local churches, community ministries, NAMB/state convention missionaries, and local ministries/programs
Meet needs and share Christ in culturally relevant ways. If you are serving a different people group, present the gospel in their language. Always connect the conversation of the gospel to the acts of kindness.
Follow up every decision to receive Christ within 48 hours. This will become more difficult with mobility of individuals.
Follow the church’s manner of receiving new members, but always plan to connect new believers to the body of Christ. Prayerfully consider the need to start new Bible studies, small groups, support groups, or a new church.
Provide new believers an opportunity to participate in ministry to others
Adopt the vision of building relational bridges through ministry over which you will intentionally share the gospel. Let your contact through the meeting of food needs connect you with opportunities to meet other needs such as literacy, job skills, parenting, unwanted or unplanned pregnancy, after school care for children, tutoring for students, etc.

Where food can be located for new hunger ministries (food pantries, soup kitchens, etc.)

Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest (www.feedingamerica.org)
Convoy of Hope (www.convoyofhope.org)
Feed the Children (www.feedthechildren.org)
Local Food Banks (locator at www.feedingamerica.org)
State and national grants
World Hunger Funds (access through your SBC state Hunger Coordinator)
Local Farmers Markets
Local Restaurants
Hotels
Caterers
Local Grocery
Wal-Mart (or other “big box” stores)
Bakeries
Bread stores/thrift stores
Food Drives/Corporate Challenges
Anytime you are preparing, serving, or transporting hot food, know and observe all state and local health codes. For general information, see www.servsafefood.com. Health requirements will vary from state to state. Additional information can be obtained from the state disaster relief director for Southern Baptists in your area (moved from above).
Consider conducting annual or semiannual disaster relief training exercises to assist in training new DR volunteers coupled with hunger emphasis

Resources to help focus the Church on Ministry Evangelism

His Heart, Our Hands, Ministry Evangelism Tool Kit (North American Mission Board)
Minister to Others (LifeWay Press)
One Day, One Hour Soul Winning Workshop (North American Mission Board)