Sunrise Church aims to feed 22,000 people in 2022
Sunrise Church in Ontario, which expanded its food distribution program after the COVID-19 pandemic began, has set a goal to feed 22,000 people in 2022.
Before the pandemic, the church had a limited food pantry open two hours a week on Sundays, giving out food from the church kitchen. When the pandemic hit, the church recognized the greater need to assist families, so church members opened the food pantry, called the Peace Center, from noon to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Those expanded hours continue today at the Peace Center, on the grounds of the Ontario church, 1355 W. Fifth St.
“Mark 12:31 calls us to ‘love your neighbor as yourself,’ so our motivation is simply to be a beacon of hope by sharing the love of Christ and helping others in need,” Pastor David Gomez of Sunrise Church said in a news release. “We are equally committed to meeting both the physical needs and spiritual needs of those in our communities.”
The Peace Center serves both county and non-county residents who can receive food once every seven days and additionally on the fourth Friday of each month for distribution of USDA goods. A form of identification to document addresses is required each time food is provided.
The collection of food for those in need has been so successful that the center has twice moved to larger rooms at the church to store the donated goods, according to the news release.
The Peace Center receives food from San Bernardino County and the federal government as well as donations from individuals. It also accepts donations of non-perishable food, including pasta, canned vegetables and fruit, peanut butter, soup, macaroni and cheese and other items. It cannot accept expired food items.
The Ontario church is also associated with Sunrise Church campuses at 690 W. Etiwanda Ave., Rialto; 13495 Arrowhead Drive, Victorville; and 4024 W. Wilson St., Banning. There are Peace Centers operating at those churches as well.
For information, go to sunrisechurch.org.