Meet the Benefactor: St. Philip’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry

Saint Philip’s Episcopal Church is dedicated to living and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, to work for the elimination of misery and distress in our community and to support the evangelical work of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. In efforts to support their goal of eliminating distress in the community, St. Philip’s operates a food pantry from the basement of their Church.

E. E. Ward Moving & Storage is aiding St. Philip’s in their food provision efforts. St. Philip’s will receive proceeds from E. E. Ward’s event, Laps for Lunches. The event will feature a meet and greet with NASCAR Xfintiy driver, Dakoda Armstrong, a Richard Petty Motorsports display car, an auction, and discounted racing.

Since opening the doors of their food pantry, St. Philip’s has served more than 12,000 people. Their services provide food, clothing, and other items that cannot be bought with government assistance to men, women, and children in need. The pantry also offers literature on nutrition, health, dependency, and other assistance programs.

Members of the pantry are able to come in once a month and receive four days of food for their family. Cynthia Sands, administrative manager of the pantry, explains that they ensure each meal is nutrient-rich for the entire family. “We use a chart that tells us how much of what a family of one to thirteen needs to meet their needs,” she says. This chart outlines the amount of protein, dairy, and produce each family needs. “We are an assistance program that our members must qualify for, but we will never turn away someone who is hungry.”

Martha Smith, a volunteer and member of St. Philip’s, works every Wednesday and Thursday to provide for the members. “If you just came in here and saw the need, you would understand why what we do is so important,” she says. “We need to help these people because tomorrow that could be us needing help.” Smith works with the Mid-Ohio food bank to register new members.

St. Philip’s food pantry is open every Wednesday and Thursday, with the exception of the first Wednesday of the month. They are always seeking new volunteers to help in the pantry.

Laps for Lunches will be held on Friday, August 14th from 7pm-9pm on August 14th at Grand Prix Karting in Columbus, Ohio. To learn more about Laps for Lunches, please click here.

For information on St. Philip’s and their mission, please click here.