Food Ministries

Our mission is to feed all of God’s children — body, mind, and spirit — so that no one goes hungry. We have ministries that provide an opportunity to share God’s love by meeting the physical hunger needs of those in our community.
Drive-Thru Mobile Food Pantry
Drive-Thru Mobile Food Pantry

Our mobile food pantry meets on the first Thursday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Silver Spring UMC is one of 42 Mobile Market sites in the DC Metropolitan area.

We participate in the Capital Area Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry Program, which delivers fresh produce and groceries at no cost to sites, each of which provides the facility, a site manager, and volunteers who distribute the food to the community. Everyone is welcome to receive a share of the food provided; no referrals or registration required.

We distribute approximately 3,000 pounds of produce each month and we serve over 50 families. 20 volunteers are needed each month for this ministry. Adults and high school students are invited to come volunteer with us between 10:00 am and 3:30 pm. Students will receive SSL hours.

For more information, please contact Anne Metcalf or Lynne Waters.

Smart Sacks
Smart Sacks

We began a partnership with three elementary schools (Pinecrest Elementary School, Oak View Elementary School, and New Hampshire Estates Elementary School) ten years ago. Each Wednesday volunteers pick up food from Manna Center and deliver the food to the church. At 11 a.m., members of the congregation and community volunteers take delivery of the food, package over 125 bags of food and then deliver the food to the three elementary schools. Over the summer, volunteers pack and deliver 150 bags for a local elementary school summer camp.

For more information about Smart Sacks, please contact Wendy Kent.

Shepherd’s Table

Shepherd’s Table is a nonprofit organization in downtown Silver Spring, supported by volunteers, religious organizations, government, businesses, foundations, and individual donors.

Members of the church volunteer to serve dinner on the third Wednesday of each month from 5:00 – 7:30 pm and serve brunch on the fourth Saturday of each month from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. During these service opportunities, we help set up the serving lines and dining areas, serve the meal, and assist with cleaning the kitchen at the end of the shift. If you are able to serve, please sign up one week in advance, to make sure that a space is available.

Shepard’s Table also provides free eye care and a clothes closet (men’s and women’s clothing, towels, and items such as shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream and deodorant).

For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Debbie Boger.