Submitted by Susan Naslund, Director of Good Shepherd Ministry Center

Hunger Awareness Month – September 2025

Almost eight years ago, the former First United Methodist Church of El Cajon was merged with Foothills United Methodist Church in El Cajon to create the Good Shepherd Ministry Center (the “GSMC”) where church members could have a place to live out their faith by loving others the way that God has loved us. Since then, we have opened our doors to fulfill our vision of cultivating a healthy and peace-filled community on our little corner of the world. 

We know that one in four adults in San Diego County are nutrition insecure. So, the first project developed at the GSMC was a dignified, market-style food pantry, and now every Saturday morning, the GSMC offers a variety of nutritious food to more than 300 families to help end food insecurity in our community. Most of our pantry guests are housed, have access to kitchens and can prepare their own meals.  Guests are multi-cultural and multi-ethnic, and come from many faith traditions (or have no spiritual practice) and speak a variety of languages. Most are refugees from the Middle East seeking asylum in the United States. Many are facing trauma of racism. Through our partnership with Feeding San Diego, the market always includes fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, and milk. These items greatly improve the lives of our guests by relieving food insecurity while at the same time building the resilience and well-being of the families we serve. 

In recognition of its work, the Shepherd’s Pantry was awarded Gold Certification by Leah’s Pantry, a nation-wide non-profit corporation that equips pantries with trauma-informed education. 

The welcome statement on our building reads: “The GSMC welcomes all regardless of race, gender identity, marital status, physical condition, sexual orientation, ethnic background, or economic situation. Kindness is everything.” Not long ago, one of our guests remarked, “I can get free food anywhere in El Cajon, but I come here because I like the way you treat me.” 

In addition to the Shepherd’s Pantry, the GSMC also provides free clothing, diapers, adult diapers, period supplies and full-size toiletries. Throughout the week, we also offer the Shepherd’s Gentle Yoga Classes where neighbors can nourish their minds and bodies and the Shepherd’s Community Garden where adults and children are learning the joys of growing their own food. At the Shepherd’s Hennery eggs are offered to members of our sister church for a donation and those funds are used to purchase eggs from a local egg ranch for distribution in our pantry. Finally, the Fig Tree Soil Amendment Program mixes imperfect produce from the pantry with chicken manure from the hennery to create a rich compost which will is shared with neighborhood gardeners. All programs are generously supported by more than 200 compassionate volunteers. These volunteers come from several area churches, business groups, schools, and the neighborhood in which the GSMC is situated – including several pantry guests — and all embrace our vision of cultivating a place of health and peace. 

It is especially meaningful that on Friday mornings, about 30 of our volunteers arrive to set up the market for the next morning. We always take time to gather in the sanctuary for a time we call “Reflect.” During Reflect, we share our joys and concerns, hold each other in prayer, and grapple with our questions about how we can best be God’s witnesses in the world. 

At the GSMC, we realize that nourishment is more than nutrition. Our goal is to create a place for all in the community to gather, feel safe, and experience peace, and our programs exemplify our commitment to equity for all in East San Diego County as we do our part to end both physical and spiritual hunger.  

If your church has a food ministry, we encourage you to:

• Post about your food ministry on social media and tag the conference on Facebook or Instagram, and tag Feeding America on Facebook or Instagram.
• Share your story with Cal-Pac Communications at cpco@calpacumc.org.

People across the country can get involved by:

• Donate to Feeding America, where your donations will be matched through the month of September.
• Sign the pledge to call on lawmakers to make ending hunger a priority.
• Volunteer at a local food bank.
• Start or join a feeding ministry at your church.