Friends Feeding Friends

John had a good paying job in computers in the San Francisco Bay area—then he was laid off. As months grew into years without a new job, John sold his possessions and went hungry.

At a local park, John was served a free lunch by “Friends Feeding Friends,” a project of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Concord, Calif., and supported by a grant from ELCA World Hunger. Volunteers helped John prepare for his next several job interviews. They took him to get a haircut, grooming supplies, clothes, and stocked him with extra food so he could look and feel his best.

Six months later, John returned to the park, well-dressed and smiling. He had a job! “You believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” he said. He handed the volunteers a donation, so that they could continue helping others.

When it began in 2004, “Friends Feeding Friends” served 58 people. Now, volunteers are able to prepare and serve homemade meals to 200 individuals who are low income or homeless. Project director Dana Deniston said, “We want our food to be homemade and served with love.”

In addition to serving meals, they provide everything from school supplies to dog food in order to meet the specific needs of their new friends.

ELCA World Hunger fights hunger around the world and around the corner though relief, development, education, and advocacy. Your gifts support “Friends Feeding Friends” and more than 200 other domestic hunger projects.