Rector's Note: Feeding the Hungry in Uncertain Times - 11.13.25

Feeding the hungry has been a practice of the church since it’s earliest days, when Christian communities stood out for their generosity in a Roman culture that wanted little to do with people in need. Today the church continues to take its Gospel call to care for those who are food insecure very seriously, both by providing food in emergencies and advocating for governmental and social structures that protect people on the margins at all times.

              The disruptions to food assistance, federal employment, and financial security at the hands of the White House and Congress have heightened our responsibility as church to care for and advocate for our neighbors. While the longest federal government shutdown in American history was ended by Congress last night, recovering from its effects will take some time. And it’s very likely that the country will be faced with another federal financial battle in January, when the next funding deadline hits.

              These disruptions have come at a time when food insecurity has been increasing in Montgomery County. According to Feeding America, a national network of food banks and food pantries,  9.9% of Montgomery County’s population, or 85,500 people, were food insecure in 2023, and 40% of the population was below the SNAP threshold. According to a 2024 Montgomery County report, SNAP enrollment in Montgomery County had tripled, from 17,194 in 2004 to 62,700 in 2023. Two years later, conditions are even more precarious.

              Meanwhile, people of goodwill are working to protect those made ever more vulnerable by these tumultuous times.

              Here at St. Peter’s, that can be measured by the flood of food donations that has filled both our food cupboard and the Abington Community Fridge on our back porch, as well as the financial donations that are also coming in.

On Sunday morning, we added a rolling cart to our usual wagon of food to hold all the contributions that you are bringing to church with you. This week the Diocese of Pennsylvania dedicated its share of the proceeds from the sale of St. Philip’s property to providing financial support to Episcopal parishes with food cupboards and feeding programs. St. Peter’s will receive a portion of this money for our Food Cupboard.

Volunteer opportunities also exist for those who wish to support these programs.

·       On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, volunteers meet in the St. Peter’s kitchen around 9:30 a.m. to pack food donations from local restaurants into meal boxes that go in the Community Fridge. For more information contact Rick DeKalb at radcomtechllc@yahoo.com.

·       Parishioner Sue Gordon is starting a group to make sandwiches for the Community Fridge on the first Tuesday of each month at 12:30 pm in the parish hall. The first sandwich making session will be Tuesday, December 2. Contact Sue Gordon at gsgordon115@comcast.net for more information.

·       The service component of our Second Sunday Youth Ministry program includes making extra food for our youth meal and packaging the leftovers for the community fridge. Youth receive 2 hours of service for attending the event, which incorporates service with learning about parish ministries.

              Food security is just one issue in a complex governmental and social system that impacts the lives of people in our country, from housing, to immigration, to poverty and beyond. In addition to meeting immediate needs, the Episcopal Church is also an outspoken voice in public policy, working to ensure that laws, policies and civic actions on all of these issues are just and fair. The church’s national Office of Government Relations provides a wealth of information on how to advocate with elected officials on numerous issues, including food security.  The Episco-Pols podcast is one way to learn how people of faith can raise their voices on these issues, especially in these precarious, politically charged times.

              With so many issues at play and so many vulnerable people affected, the call to respond can seem overwhelming at times. Our gatherings around the Eucharistic table, our times of personal prayer and our communal fellowship are all essential to our own wellbeing as we reach for God’s grace and follow God’s guidance in these times of challenge.

Gratitude also helps as well, and every day I am thankful for all who are stewarding our Food Cupboard, assisting with the Community Fridge and giving generously to help so many in need. And I’m also encouraged and gratified by all those speaking out and advocating for justice and mercy on all levels.