The mission of Feed Kempsville is pretty simple: "As the hands and feet of Christ, we are committed to ending hunger in our local community." Recent estimates indicate that over 11.2% of the population is in need in Virginia Beach. In the zip codes closest to St. Andrew’s (23462 and 23464) it’s estimated that between 14,000 and 30,000 people experience food insecurity. Feed Kempsville is a new feeding ministry that started in the spring of 2014 at St. Andrew's UMC in Virginia Beach. This feeding ministry is in partnership with the Virginia Beach City Public Schools and the food pantry at Church of the Ascension. Feed Kempsville aims to feed the hungry in their local community, provide a focused, meaningful and energizing local mission for the people of St. Andrew's, to enchance the relevance of the church in the local community, and bring others to Christ. In addition, Feed Kempsville planted a 500 square foot "community garden" on the church property. The harvest is donated to the Church of the Ascension's food pantry to help meet the nutritional needs of the poor in the community. Recently Feed Kempsville was honored by Volunteer Hampton Roads as their faith-based organization winner for 2017. In addition, they were recently featured on WVEC-TV in Norfolk. The video was featured on the 13 News Now Facebook (click here to view it). Recently, Feed Kempsville initiated a new program to help alleviate lunch money debt for kids in need at two local elementary schools. As a result of this ministry, the door has opened for the church to begin working with neighborhood children in developing their reading skills. Plans are being made to start fostering these relationships to equip and empower children through reading. Click here to learn more.
1 Comment
Suzi Wyckoff
7/4/2017 11:04:24 am
As a member of St Andrew's and the Feed Kempsville team I'm like to add that our efforts are greatly appreciated by Church of the Ascension, with whom we work and coordinate our efforts. They had already set up the paperwork and assembly details of the Food Pantry. Thanks to the generosity of our congregation and neighbors God has blessed our ministry and allowed it to GROW! May it bring Him glory.
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