With the recent decline in today’s economy, more than one person has been feeling financial tension. There are many financial burdens being placed on families today. Being concerned about your family’s next meal should never be an issue. Unfortunately, for some it has been.
Thankfully, there is a light of help beaming in the North area. The North Highlands Christian Food Ministry is a non-profit food outlet located at 6125 Watt Ave. They were established in 1979 by the First Baptist Church, however, few residents know there is a food closet in North Highlands.
The North Highlands Christian Food Ministry (NHCFM) helps all needy individuals and families located within the 95660, 95842 and 95843 zip codes. Getting assistance is quite simple. Bring proof of residence, such as a utility bill or rent receipt to the First Baptist Church on the corner of Watt Avenue and Don Julio. If you are homeless and can’t provide proof of residence they can offer some assistance to you as well. The food closet is open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, from 9:30am-12:00pm. When visiting for the first time, please arrive early to complete required paperwork. Once you are registered, you may return every 30 days for up to one year. Each visit, you will be given three days worth of food: three meals per day, per member of your family, for up to six members.
The NHCFM is in need of our help. As the number of people in need rises, the number of donations must rise also. They are run completely by volunteers and their sources of income are community churches and fund raisers and food drives. Be part of the solution: GIVE!!!!! Give whatever you can. Every little bit helps one more person.
What items are in need? Is it only food that they collect? Of course the obvious donation is food. Any food items would be greatly appreciated. Canned, bagged, or boxed items are typically given. The organization has expressed a need for fresh fruits and vegetables as well. They are trying to give well rounded meals to those in need and some produce would be helpful. Other items that would be helpful to the food closet are small tubes of toothpaste, disposable razors, travel size shampoo, and socks. With the winter coming quick, lots and lots of socks for the homeless would be a great donation!
They always are in need of plastic grocery style bags. How simple! Those bags that clutter underneath your sink, in a random drawer or simply get thrown away can be recycled into a program that gives to the community. The NHCFM double bags everything they give out, so as you can imagine, they go through thousands of bags.
How about the donation of time? What better gift than to give yourself. As I said before, the NHCFM is completely run by volunteers, mostly by those in their early 70’s with a bunch in their 80’s and one 93-year-old still eagerly giving. Any of you seniors recently retired and trying to find a way to spend some of those newly open days? Stop by the NHCFM and see if maybe you can find your niche.
The North Highlands Christian Food Ministry affects hundreds each month. In the month of September, they served a total of 7,470 meals to roughly 830 families. At over 7,000 meals a month, that is over 84,000 meals served each year by this organization. Amazing!!! A big thank you to all of the volunteers at the NHCFM!
How long can they continue to make such a large contribution to our community without more help? Let's do our part to ensure the light of the North Highlands Christian Food Ministry always shines bright for those in need!