CHENEY – Emmanuel Lutheran Church has been awarded $500 from the Lutheran Disaster Response program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ECLA). According to a June 8 news release, the church intends to apply the funding to its Free Community Pantry program to expand food purchases for residents in need.
“The ELCA’s motto is ‘God’s Work, Our Hands,’ and we are happy to do as God calls us,” Emmanuel Lutheran pastor Arianna Arends said in a statement. “To provide a no-questions-asked, open 24-7 option for those needing the basic essential of food.”
The church on Elm Street began the food pantry program four years ago to address the issue of food insecurity among students at Eastern Washington University. A cupboard outside the front of the church is maintained with non-perishable food, hygiene products and an “occasional hand-made hat.”
According to the release, the needs have grown over the years to include other community populations who use the pantry to supplement their food resources, populations that include school children, seniors and military families — taking as needed but also leaving donations as well. Emmanuel relies on donations of non-perishable food and funds from the congregation and the community to keep the pantry going.
“It has been Emmanuel’s pleasure to minister to our neighbors in need,” church secretary and pantry manager Melinda Reid said.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church is located at 639 Elm St., and can be contacted at 509-235-6300.
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