Mobile Food Pantry

In cooperation with the Food Bank for Central Missouri, Outside the Walls volunteers staff a monthly mobile food pantry to provide groceries to approximately 200 families each month. Mobile pantries are specially equipped trucks that distribute non-perishable goods as well as fresh produce and frozen meat to locations without brick-and-mortar pantries. The mobile pantry takes place on the third Tuesday of each month from 3:30–5:30. Volunteers are needed beginning at 2:45 to direct traffic, register participants, count and package food items, and load food into vehicles. This is a great opportunity to bring along a friend to serve with you and build relationships with other volunteers.

On February 20, we served 214 families who received fresh fruit and vegetables, yogurt, 5 pounds of hamburger, cereal, cookies and chips.

Join us Tuesday, April 16, from 2:45-5:30 pm to serve at the mobile food pantry at the Elks Lodge at 4747 E Elks Drive, Columbia, MO.  This is a great opportunity to serve our neighbors outside the walls of the church.  Would you consider joining us and put it on your calendar?

Please contact Sherry Neff if you have questions.

LOAVES AND FISHES SOUP KITCHEN

Loaves and Fishes is a group who serve a meal each evening from 4:30 – 5:45 PM which is open to everyone in our community.  We plan to serve next on June 29, 2024.  Volunteers are needed to prepare food in advance and to serve and clean up after the meal.  Please contact Sherry Neff for more information.

CITY OF REFUGE

City of Refuge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to help refugees and immigrants recover and regain control of their lives. They provide Basic Need Programs, Counseling Services, and Professional Development Opportunities for those in our community. Their goal is to equip those arriving in our community with the materials they need, as well as deeper friendships they can count on as they navigate a new life in the United States. 

Woodcrest is exploring volunteer opportunities, which may include sorting and displaying donated items, assisting with childcare during English classes, teaching a craft, acting as a receptionist for a few hours, or serving as an English buddy for a family.  You can also drop off clean, gently used clothing and household items at the former bank drive-through area at 10 N. Garth Ave. and provide support by shopping at City Boutique, which is a thrift store for extra donated items and carries items made by refugee women to financially support their families.

Learn more here:  https://cityofrefugecolumbia.org/get-involved/volunteer/