According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau, Florida, a state with a population of over 23 million people, has a poverty rate of 12.3%. In addition to this staggering number, in 2023 34% of Florida families were below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold; this includes families who earn more than the federal poverty level but not enough to cover the costs of living, like food, housing, and childcare. Finally, Heart of Florida United Way reports that, “While 18% of all Central Florida children were deemed as living in poverty in 2019, 39% lived in families defined as ALICE.”
Rev. Evette Campbell, pastor of Rolling Hills Moravian Church in Longwood, Florida, shared, “These figures demand our immediate attention and action.”
Rolling Hills sits right off Interstate 4 just north of Orlando. As you come off the interstate to get to the church, it is common to see people holding signs asking for help. While data and statistics tell us a lot, so too do the living human beings who are experiencing hunger, homelessness, unemployment, and more.
When Rolling Hills first spoke with MMFA about applying for a grant from our Hunger and Thirst Fund, one church member shared her own experience with homelessness. She was excited that the church wanted to take bigger steps to help its neighbors in need.
In 2024 Rolling Hills received a $27,800 grant from MMFA’s Hunger and Thirst Fund for their Feeding His Flock ministry. Upon receiving the grant, the church quickly got to work, with a task force completing required food preparation safety training so that they could offer a Thanksgiving-style meal to individuals and families in need, as well as to provide them with takeaway bags with bottles of water and non-perishable food.
The church collaborates with the Christian Sharing Center, a local nonprofit that “provides dignified solutions for those experiencing poverty and homelessness.” Through their grant, Rolling Hills was able to expand this partnership and offer meals to those at the Center, as well as to host two summer luncheons there and fellowship with those who came.
Rev. Campbell shared, “Members sat with the attendees and listened to their stories, and were amazed of how uniquely different yet similar their stories were. It was a sacred, humbling experience.”
Feeding His Flock is still going strong, offering a summer food pantry, partnering with Lasagna Love to prepare homemade lasagnas for those who need them, and planning an October luncheon at Christian Sharing Center as well as a second Thanksgiving meal in November.
MMFA is excited to support the church’s work and grateful to everyone who has supported our Hunger and Thirst Fund and made this kind of ministry possible.
Feeding His Flock is still going strong, offering a summer food pantry, partnering with Lasagna Love to prepare homemade lasagnas for those who need them, and planning an October luncheon at Christian Sharing Center as well as a second Thanksgiving meal in November.
MMFA is excited to support the church’s work and grateful to everyone who has supported our Hunger and Thirst Fund and made this kind of ministry possible.
If you are interested in supporting our Hunger and Thirst Fund, which enables organizations to continue fulfilling their missions, consider donating to the fund here.
