Mission: To provide food to members of the community and the church who are in need of assistance.
Twice a month —on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.—Nineteenth Street distributes free bags and boxes of groceries to help those in need.
We are able to serve our community because church members, guided by God’s love and generous spirit, make contributions to purchase food, donate supplies, and serve as pantry staff.
The pantry began in 1982 under the pastorate of Rev. Jerry A. Moore Jr., with canned goods and dry food paid for by the Benevolence Fund. It is run by a small group of volunteers under the auspices of the Board of Deacons. The volunteers, operating out of the church fellowship hall, stock shelves, greet guests, and distribute the food. Most supplies come from the Capital Area Food Bank, which provides canned goods, frozen meats, and fresh vegetables at a significantly discounted price or, occasionally, at no cost.
There is a constant need in our community. In 2019, the pantry provided food to 2,875 individuals of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Ten years ago, it served 725. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the church organized drive-up food distributions as part of a Community Empowerment Day program in partnership with Terrific Inc., a nonprofit that serves seniors and families in crisis.
Those who seek help can call the office at 202-829-2773. Those who are interested in supporting the pantry should call the office and leave a message for pantry task force co-chairs Angela Griffin and Cynthia Thompson.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.
(Matthew 25:35, NIV)