Residents are invited to drop non-perishable food into this container (above) at the First United Methodist Church in the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township. The food will be donated to those in need.
Last month the First United Methodist Church in the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township commissioned a Little Free Pantry in an effort to help those in the township in need.
The pantry is the result of an Adult Sunday School study entitled Love Does by Bob Goff. The class was challenged to find something in the world that it could do something about. Church officials said there have been numerous persons who have visited the church office in search of food so the class decided to make an impact on food insecurity in the township.
“The Little Free Pantry is an expression of our love for our community and our desire to make a discernible difference in our world,” Pastor Shawn Callender Hogan said. “Whether by donating to or receiving from this pantry, we invite the community to join us in caring for one another.”
A Little Free Pantry bench has been placed outside the main entrance from the parking lot. The motto of pantries is “Give What You Can; Take What You Need.”
The seat of the bench opens for access to non-perishable food. The pantry is not a replacement for Fulfill, or other large pantries, but rather to fill an immediate need and is available every hour of every day.
The pastor said the community is encouraged to take part in this compassionate ministry by dropping off a few items now and then, and spreading the word that the hungry in Ocean Township don’t need to be hungry today.
The church is located at 103 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst. For more information contact the church at 732- 531-1150 from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
