The Sandwich Project and So Much More… Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 22, 5:30 PM

Twice a year, St. Luke’s makes sandwiches for The Sandwich Project. We do it at our Fall Festival (Wednesday of MEA) and the Wednesday Night Live Spring Celebration. Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 22, 5:30 PM you are invited to help us make 400 Sandwiches for The Simpson Food Pantry. Following our service stay for the festival. There will be food, games, and crafts, something for all ages.
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The Sandwich Project of MN was established with a goal to help feed 150 homeless & hungry people in Minneapolis as many times a year as possible, with the ultimate goal of doing it every day of the year. Today, The Sandwich Project is helping to feed about 2500+ people per week through various shelters and food shelves.

The Sandwich Project is a grassroots organization built on anonymous donations of time, talent, and treasures. All donations are given and used with the purpose of feeding those less fortunate.

The organization we will be delivering sandwiches to is The Simpson Food Pantry. It is a non-profit providing food for those in need. They believe no one should go hungry, so they invite all who need food, come by during open hours.

Over 70 years ago, Simpson United Methodist Church, established in 1882, recognized the need to combat hunger in the South Minneapolis area. In the early 70’s a small area under the stairs in the basement of the church was commissioned as the Simpson Food Shelf, and they started serving some 30 guests a month who needed assistance with food insecurity.

By the early 2000’s, the 140-year-old Simpson Church building was literally disintegrating from the foundation to the steeple. It was deemed by the Simpson Congregation that it was no longer cost effective to continue to put more money toward trying to maintain the building. It was decided that their financial resources would be dedicated to the greater mission of Simpson Church to serve the needs of the South Minneapolis community into the future. The decision was made to close the church and donate the property to Simpson Housing Services (SHS). Shortly after that they had to evacuate the building because of boiler issues. At this point they had to find new locations for existing missions still at the church.

This enabled Simpson Food Pantry to expand into a larger and more efficient and accessible space, including space for other supportive services. Food storage, especially for fruits and vegetables became more viable. It is now all on one level, with handicapped accessible ramps, and a waiting area on cold mornings!

The concern over food insecurity and the increasing need to fight hunger in the South Minneapolis community shows no signs of stopping. Over the last two years they have been involved with; the state, city, government agencies, local churches, MN Council of Ministries, pastors, former members, food banks, other pantries, and our community members to find a new location that could continue to serve their families and provide nutritious and culturally appropriate food.

They currently have partnered with Source MN, who has been providing to the same Whittier Community for the last 20 years. They are now an independent 501C3 nonprofit food shelf, Simpson Food Pantry, Inc. With combined efforts, out of one location, which is handicapped accessible with a loading dock, they are serving over 2500 families monthly. Other ministries include serving new immigrants, women’s drop-in services, shuttle rides from the food shelf, weekly community meals, cooking classes, weekly homeless meals, and outreach services.

We have always been able to give healthy calories with staples of protein, beans, rice, milk, potatoes, and fresh produce, along with eggs when we can. Simpson has provided a change over from 70-90% nonperishable (canned foods, boxed dinners) to 90% fresh and healthy food. This has in turn increased our costs, just as you see in your grocery bills.

When you look at the St. Luke’s Service Opportunities in the Community found on our website, 16 organizations are listed. What is missing in the count is the number of other organizations we serve that are connected to those 16 identified.

St. Luke’s is living out its mission… busy making Christ known to the world. Thank you to this community for the good work you do in the name of Jesus.

https://www.stlukesbloomington.org/service-opportunities-in-the-community.html