More Hungry,
LESS Food
Friday, April 17, 2020__ Big Bear Lake, CA__
At the Moonridge Road triangle, south of Captains
Anchorage and behind Walgreens, Believers Chapel, a place of worship that has
become a place of warmth and friendship to many when in need of supplies and
food. Recently, the familiar meeting
place, a receiving and distributing of food to many Big Bear Valley families,
takes place at least twice a week since the March COVID-19 outbreak.
Pastor Eric and Lyn Hoerger, along with dedicated volunteers,
work tediously every week to travel off the mountain, pick up food in bulk,
cases, and cartons; then return to service the Food Bank. The food loads are proportioned
into individual and family portions and repacked to distribute as recipients
arrive. This past month, in respect of the social distancing rule, cars
line up early Thursday mornings for the No Questions Asked food
packages; handed-out by workers fully garbed in protective gear, masks and rubber
gloves. The receiving vehicles usually
have a driver with an occasional passenger. Most of those receiving are
grateful for the food offerings and respectful of having to adjust to a
hopefully, temporary lifestyle.
Since the Government Orders: Close Businesses,
Social Distancing, Stay Home rules; the Food Bank at Believers Chapel in Big Bear Lake
has seen a greater demand for food than ever previously. Pastor Eric notes that
the number of families(4) requests, rather than individuals has increased since
the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first week of March, the local Food Bank
received 2600 pounds of food, with NO MEATS or CHEESE of any kind. The
just-opened for the season, Farmers Market located at the Convention Center at
Big Bear Lake, was an opportunity for Pastor Eric’s Team to give-away spaghetti
noodles, pasta, cans of pinto beans, and stewed tomatoes, no meat or cheese. The
Pastor says they will set-up at the Farmers Market each Tuesday.
Last Thursday, the Food Bank drive-thru serviced 285
families a total of 1044 people, in cars lining up as early as 9:00 A.M. Until after 3:00 P.M, the vehicles continued
arriving, at times lining up into the street, up to six cars before they could
get in the driveway.
The
Sunday Worship Service, with Pastor Eric is available to the public on Facebook/bb
at 10:30. A.M. After the morning
service, the Sunday Food Bank will open at 12:00 Noon.
SEE http://www.bigbearlake.net/ETNews - BELIEVERS and FOOD
BANKS
The Food Bank depends on financial donations and
is in great need to continue serving the increase of families since the
COVID-19 outbreak. Two major sources: Feeding America in Riverside, and the
local Vons, helps, greatly. “Recently, Feeding America has been stretched and
we haven’t been able to get meat”, comments Pastor Eric.
Perhaps someone, when shopping at Cosco would
graciously purchase a box or more of meat items such as chicken, hamburger, or
hotdogs, that would be as good as cash.
Others have contributed to the funds, by donating
through the Believers Chapel Facebook and website, as well as mailing to: P.O. Box
2265, Big Bear City, CA 92314
Big Bear Believers Chapel
42180 Moonridge Road
Big Bear Lake, California
909-866-2552
Written
by E T Russell, 04-2020