There is a sign on the door of Sanderson Hall at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Haines City reminding people when food will be distributed for the hungry.

People from all over the city flock to the church, partaking of the pantry’s ample gifts. It’s all part of what Jesus talked about so long ago when He commanded Peter three times to “feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). On that day, the Lord conveyed three different meanings: tending, feeding, and caring for the flock; shepherding believers; and providing spiritual food for the flock.

The Rev. Chris Brathwaite and his parishioners at St. Mark’s heed the Lord’s call every month, making donations for the church’s food pantry. The pantry offers much-needed food to the public in Haines City, opening its doors to the hungry every other Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Let me put it this way, most people know what it means to be hungry,” Brathwaite said. “Most people know where to get food when they are hungry, but not everyone. In this country of abounding wealth, there are some people who do not know where the next meal is coming from, and part of the mission of the church is to work toward ameliorating such situations.”

St. Mark’s has had an outreach project to feed the hungry off and on through the years, with the project being revived in 2010. Food is donated by church parishioners, and every once in a while, folks give money for the specific purpose of purchasing food.

“For the most part, people are happy to bring food, as Deacon Dorothy (Hunter-Spencer) and Mrs. (Yvonne) Glasgow like to know that there is a healthy stock of food for distribution,” Brathwaite said.

Brathwaite said there are appreciative people every other Friday. “We actually have a steady clientele who rely on the bag of food to supplement their regular grocery shopping,” he said. “Every once in a while a new family shows up, but for the most part the list is repeaters.”

The latest food pantry was Friday, May 19. The next one is scheduled for Friday, June 2.

For more information on the St. Mark’s food pantry, please call 863-422-1416.