Letter from the Co-Founders

It is hard for us to put into words how much The Daily Bread Community Food Pantry means to me and my family. We feel so fortunate to be at the helm of a food pantry that receives so many caring individual and family participants, as well as dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers and partners.

Having served this food pantry since 1997, we have come to recognize so many faces as those of family – as people who have watched us grow figuratively and literally. Every year, we learn more and more about the needs of those we serve – about their strength and resilience as they face economic shifts, or sudden unemployment, or some kind of hardship that left them without. We witness firsthand the generosity of this community – of those who offer assistance without recognition each week because they find the same joy as we do in serving. What’s more, we are blessed by the kindness of local partners and donors who give because they share a passion for our mission.

What a privilege it is for us to come alongside all of you – to partner with you on this journey that began in August 1997 in a small space in the social hall of Jerusalem Lutheran Church. What a revelation it has been for us to see the pantry prosper on an all-volunteer workforce and to grow from assisting approximately 20 families to 1,000 families who are eligible to come to the food pantry.

We hope to share with you how humbled we are by how much this experience as directors has changed us over the years. As we continue to take the next steps in our future in terms of establishing ourselves as an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization and growing the services we offer, we continually marvel at how much has been accomplished and how much is left to do.

We look forward to sharing this most exciting part of our history with you and remain ever-grateful for all you have done on behalf of the food pantry and those it serves.

Most sincerely,

Loretta- Executive Director & Joel Stever- Board President
Co-Founders