Food for Friends got it’s start in 1985 when a group of churches formed to provide noon meals on Saturdays and Sundays at the Salvation Army. St. John’s was involved in the beginning with long-time member Phyllis Brine as the secretary/treasurer of the FFF Board. I took on this role in 2008. Over the years the group of churches grew from eight to over 25. Over 80 guests would be served each time. St. John’s used to provide/serve the meal 3 to 4 times a year-always our famous meat loaf dinner! With the onset of Covid in 2020 everything changed. Churches could no longer bring in food or volunteer to serve. The Board agreed that the money in the FFF account would stay there until we knew what the future would hold.
Currently FFF serves those people who are staying at the Salvation Army Day Shelter serving between 20 to 35 people on weekends. We no longer prepare food ourselves, but purchase it. The FFF program as it was will never return. Many of the groups that served in the past have discontinued. As treasurer I ensured that the money that was left in the FFF account was used to support the program by paying for the meals the first Saturday of each month. This money lasted a long time but is now gone. The cost is about $75 for a Saturday meal. If St. John’s wants to continue supporting the program which is now called “Feeding Our Friends” funds are needed. If you’d like to contribute, please make checks out to St. John’s Episcopal with “Feeding Our Friends” in the memo line. There will be a basket in the church entry for this collection. Any amount is appreciated.
Audrey Splinter, Former FFF Treasurer/Outreach Member
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