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For people like Orange County resident Mary Lea, 65, who lives on a fixed income and has no permanent home address, food donations help them survive. Always looking for sources to fill in the gap when food stamps and money are tight, she was glad to learn about the Food Pantry at Refuge Calvary Chapel at 7800 Edinger Avenue in Huntington Beach.
Staffed by volunteers, on Mondays and Tuesdays from 1:45 to 3 p.m. the Church distributes Free Food. On Thursdays the Church across from Bella Terra Mall hosts lunch and prayer from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It offers the needy or unhoused a hot meal, free food, used clothing, fellowship and referrals.
With the help of Second Harvest Orange County, collecting food donations is a much easier task from multiple sources such as Albertsons, Target, Smart and Final, Costco, Ralph’s and Amazon Fresh, according to Refuge Food Pantry Co-Organizer Dave Lindsay. “While we also get food from Orange County Food Bank and Whole Foods, Second Harvest has been a godsend, helping find the right contacts to receive donations from these local grocery stores. Our food selection includes bakery items such as bread and deserts, produce, dry grocery and dairy items, and a variety of meats and vegan pseudo meats providing protein.”
“More than 115 people show up regularly and benefit from what we do,” said Joe Miceli, Refuge Men’s Ministry leader. “It’s great to see that this program feeds the hungry while keeping the food from going into the landfill.”
“Of all the programs we offer, feeding the hungry is one of our favorites,” said Refuge Calvary Senior Pastor Geoff Wilson. “Through community partnerships with businesses and other non-profit organizations Refuge is proud to provide this much needed service to locals who are less fortunate.”
If you’d like to benefit from this just come to the Church. You can also call: (714) 891-9495.
