CUMBERLAND — For years, there were canned goods and boxes tucked into upstairs quarters and given away at Cumberland First Baptist Church.
But those offering them knew the needs were greater than what they were giving.
“We knew there was more need than just giving people a little food now and then,” said Sharon Custer of New Palestine, who is a member of the church. “The idea was strength in numbers.”
More than 30 years ago, two pastors who led ministries in their day jobs and attended the church sought to form a wider network to meet those needs.
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Today, nine churches in Hancock and Marion counties continue to partner as Community Outreach Ministry Eastside. They provide the funds, board members and volunteers for a more extensive food pantry. When funds are available, COME also helps with rent, mortgage or utility bills for people referred by township trustees in Hancock County’s Buck Creek and Sugar Creek townships and Marion County’s Warren Township.
“What is unique about this is that it is across the different faiths, and these churches are located in both Hancock County and Marion County,” said Sue Gahimer, who serves as COME co-president with sister Kathy Dawson.
On Wednesday afternoons, the tables are set up on the ground floor at First Baptist. Dawson said the ministry recently started designating someone to greet people when they arrive for assistance.
“Clients have shared that they feel that our pantry does not look down on them but welcomes them as friends and accepts them,” Dawson wrote in an email to the Daily Reporter. “Sometimes it only takes one event to put people in this position. Many are embarrassed to ask for help. We try to put them at ease right away because this can happen to anyone.”
Jane Jones began volunteering at the COME pantry monthly about 12 years ago. She had retired and was looking for something else to do to contribute to the community.
“They’re very appreciative of what we have to offer,” said Jones, who attends Holy Spirit Catholic Church, a partner congregation. She serves as vice president of the COME board and said fellow volunteers are a nice group of people to work with.
As volunteers gather ground turkey, cheese, butter, canned goods and other staples for those who come, visitors can look over pairs of shoes from Changing Footprints to see if any fit someone in their household. Sometimes volunteers can also offer personal care items such as shampoo or detergent if those have been donated; Gahimer said those are always appreciated because people can’t use the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) cards that replaced food stamps to buy those.
If someone at home has a birthday that month, the client can take home a birthday bag with cake, icing and candles supplied by Greenfield Optimist Club.
That’s because over the years, the partnership has extended beyond the nine churches involved to other organizations and businesses.
The Meijer at 11351 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, is less than a mile from the pantry and has designated it to receive donations from the Simply Give program the store conducts in the spring, in the fall, and during the holiday season. Shoppers can buy $10 donation cards at checkout; the cards are converted into food-only gift cards that are donated to the pantry to keep it stocked.
Sometimes there have been donation match days, and participating churches have spread the word to parishioners about buying the cards then and maximizing the donation dollars.
“We’re so grateful to Meijer,” said Custer, secretary of the COME board. “It’s really a good program for us.”
There are others who come alongside the pantry, in the form of food drives by Girl Scout troops, doctor offices and dentist offices. Gahimer said individuals donations are welcome, and COME would also welcome more church partners.
The next big goal for the pantry, Gahimer said, is obtaining an industrial-size cooler or freezer. The pantry could receive more cold-storage items than it does, but it doesn’t have the space to hold them yet.
Custer said occasionally people who’ve been helped in the past join the spirit of partnership as well by coming back later with a donation to pay it forward.
“I’ve experienced people that came back and said, ‘You helped my mother two years ago’ … and gave me a check,” she said. “It’s happened more than once. It’s always kind of heartwarming.”
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The Community Outreach Ministry Eastside pantry is open from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Cumberland First Baptist Church, 116 S. Muessing, Indianapolis. It serves people in Buck Creek and Sugar Creek townships in Hancock County and Warren Township in Indianapolis.
COME began more than 30 years ago with 10 churches in Hancock and Marion counties. One of the churches has since closed, but the remaining nine continue to partner. They are: Amity United Methodist Church in Greenfield, Cumberland Christian Church, Cumberland First Baptist Church, Cumberland United Methodist Church, Eastgate Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Indianapolils, Mt. Comfort Church, St. John United Church of Christ in Cumberland and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Indianapolis.
Information: @COMEFoodPantry on Facebook, (317) 891-5179
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