St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry

The mission of the St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry is to serve God and God’s people by providing a caring food distribution facility. The sponsors, St. John’s Episcopal Church and the Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM), the administrators, coordinators, and volunteers all strive to serve as Christ would serve. We respect the dignity of every person who comes to the Food Pantry. Food is provided in a courteous way and with a minimum of hassle and questions.

† All of our efforts are dependent upon the good will of many volunteers who represent an even broader range of organizations than those comprising the LUM membership.

† Over 60 persons work in the ministry every month. Many serve as food distributors during the hours we are open to the public. Others repackage food that is received in bulk. Some serve by purchasing and transporting food, often using their own vehicles in the effort. Still others help to keep the facility clean and tidy.

† We are the largest food pantry in the 16 county area of central Indiana served by Food Finders Food Bank. St. John’s food pantry began in 1980 when it became clear to some at St. John’s that there was a serious need for emergency food distribution in the downtown area. At the same time, LUM operated a food pantry for their clients. Originally the two pantries operated separately, each housed in the sponsoring institution’s facilities.

† The two merged to become the St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry in 1991, and marked the merger with an increase in operating hours. Today St. John’s and LUM continue to work together, providing recruitment and coordination, funding, and oversight in a clean, safe and comfortable environment.

† The Food Pantry is located on the Outreach Level of St. John’s building. It is open to the public from 9:00 am until 11:30 am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Inventory is taken, stock is replenished and bulk food is repackaged during the afternoons and on Saturday mornings.

† Those interested in joining this ministry may get contact information from the St. John’s parish office. Donations of cash can always be made through the parish office or Sunday offering. In-kind offerings of unopened packages of foodstuffs that are not out of date, toiletries or paper products are received at any time at the parish office, or during the Sunday services. There is always a need for cold breakfast cereals. We ask that you call ahead to the pantry if you wish to bring food during the morning service hours.