Serving Our Community With Compassion
Palm UMC partners with USDA and local grocery stores to provide monthly food support to families in need. This ministry runs over two days and depends on volunteers who are willing to lend a hand, lift a box, or simply offer a warm smile to our guests.
📅 How the Two‑Day Distribution Works
Friday — Preparing the Boxes
- 3:00 PM: The first truck arrives with USDA food.
- Volunteers unload, sort, and pack items into 50 distribution boxes.
- This step sets the foundation for everything that follows, and extra hands make the work light and joyful.
Saturday — Final Prep and Distribution - 7:45 AM: Volunteers pick up the second load of food from local grocery partners.
- 8:00 AM: Everyone gathers at the church to add fresh items to the boxes.
- 8:30 AM: Registration opens for recipients.
- 9:00 AM: Distribution begins.
During distribution, volunteers help load boxes onto carts and deliver them to each recipient’s vehicle. For neighbors who arrive on foot, bicycle, walker, or with a shopping cart, volunteers assist by packing food into sturdy bags or securing items safely to their mobility devices. Every situation is different, and every act of kindness matters.
🙌 Why Volunteers Make the Difference
This ministry is more than moving food—it’s about dignity, connection, and community. Volunteers help ensure:
- Boxes are packed with care
- Guests feel welcomed and supported
- Those without transportation still receive what they need
- The process runs smoothly and safely
Whether you can lift boxes, greet guests, push carts, or simply show up with a servant’s heart, there is a place for you.
đź•’ Volunteer Opportunities at a Glance
- Friday at 3:00 PM — Sorting and packing
- Saturday at 8:00 AM — Final prep and distribution support
- Registration starts at 8:30. Guests are given a number when registering and can sit in the sanctuary until their number is called for pick-up.
- Food pick-up/delivery runs from 9:00 – 11:00