By Marva Jennings
The 5000 Food Ministry of Christ United Methodist Church (CUMC), located at 900 4th Street SW, has distributed non-perishable food since 2020 in service to the Southwest community. The ministry was started to address the lack of food pantries in Southwest and, in recognition of the pandemic’s impact on the growing food insecurity in the neighborhood, and with permission from the Mayor’s Office and the development of safety protocols, the 5000 Food Ministry continued and grew significantly. Based on the biblical story of Jesus miraculously feeding 5000 people with two fishes and five loaves, this ministry served 3,265 clients in 2023. In the first half of 2024, 1,577 clients have already been served.
Thanks to a partnership with the Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid (SYC/W6MA) pod, the 5000 Food Ministry has expanded its mission. Even with the pod closing at the end of August 2024, CUMC is committed to providing bags of non-perishable food and basic cleaning supplies twice a month, on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. Frozen items, pastries, and fresh produce are also distributed when possible.
The SYC/W6MA popular clothing distribution service, now renamed the Dorcas Clothing Closet, named after a disciple of Christ who was always doing good and helping those in need, will also continue and will be open on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please enter through the white gate at the entrance closest to the Southwest Library on the alley parallel to Maple Drive, across from the new Westerly Apartment and the Apple Tree school. Donations of gently used clothing will also be accepted during these hours.
Christ United Methodist Church (CUMC) has occupied the corner of 4th and I Street SW since 1961 when the merger of two churches — Gorsuch Memorial and Lewis Memorial— was the embodiment of an interracial worshiping community during the height of the civil rights movement. The unique mid-century building also showcases some unusual architectural and interior design features.
Throughout the years, CUMC has engaged the community through social justice initiatives, including advocating for affordable housing, supplying food to DC area shelters, serving as the SW location for the SHARE program, providing the first farmer’s market in SW on the front steps of the Church with the Dreaming Out Loud organization and a host of other individual and group projects.
Volunteers to support the ministry are always needed, and roles include:
- Helping to bring in pounds of food delivered to the church by a food bank, once a month on the second Thursday of the month, starting at noon.
- Packing individual and family food (for households with kids) bags every second and fourth Fridays of the month from 10:00 a.m. –11:00 a.m.
- Setting up the distribution area in front of the church on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Distributing the bags of food and produce on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
To volunteer, send an email to cumcdc@gmail.org, Subject Line: 5000 Volunteer.
Visit our website, https://christchurchinthecity.org/, to contribute financially to the 5000 Food Ministry and learn more about CUMC’s ministries and our Pastor, Keisha R. Dukes. Sunday services start at 10:15 a.m. and all are welcome.
A special tribute and heartfelt thanks go out to Karen McManus, the heart and soul of SYC/W6MA. We also thank the Serve Your City/Mutual Aid organization for their pledge to continue their wonderful partnership and ongoing support.