Pastor John Shomberg, center, receives the Streams of Justice Award at the 2026 Annual Conference. Photos by jlynn studios.

Throughout Scripture, we hear that the work of justice is about restoring right relationships with God and within humanity. Justice is seeing the places and spaces in this world where things are not as God intended and helping reorder the world towards Shalom.  It is the work of restoring dignity and respect and seeing the image of God in all people.
Zion United Methodist Church in Beresford, South Dakota powerfully embodies justice work through the Share and Care ministry. Because of this work, Zion UMC was presented the 2026 Streams of Justice Award at the 2026 Dakotas Annual Conference.
The Streams of Justice Award highlights a United Methodist-sponsored program or event that promotes justice in the Dakotas Annual Conference.  Ministries on Native American reservations, local churches and outreach centers in communities (rural and urban), and statewide and regional organizations with programs that offer components of justice education, advocacy, and empowerment, in addition to material assistance and spiritual support, are recognized. The award includes a beautifully crafted traveling trophy, a $500 cash gift to the ministry, and a copy of the Poverty and Justice Bible.
Share and Care is a food distribution ministry born of ecumenical collaboration, community partnerships, and a growing conviction that churches are called to love their neighbors unconditionally. Zion UMC committed a space that was once a childcare center, and volunteers with welcoming hearts to feed their neighbors facing food insecurity.
“We built everything with the idea of sustainability. We have a board that includes members from our congregation, especially our Board of Trustees, members from the previous community food pantry, and members who are from the larger community,” explains Pastor John Schomberg, Zion UMC.

Share and Care offers twice-monthly distributions through Feeding South Dakota. The food distributions include The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and Senior Box Program (also known as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program), which provides eligible seniors with a monthly box of non-perishable food. Offered through the South Dakota Department of Education and the USDA, the Senior Box Program helps older adults access essential nutrients while freeing up limited income for urgent needs like medication and utilities.
Under the leadership of Pastor Schomberg and a core team of ten from the congregation, Share and Care has served 672 households in 2026. These households represent 1,556 individuals, many of whom are children. The food distributions started in the parking lot outside. After one year and careful planning, the distributions were moved indoors, creating a warm, welcoming space. View a video of the food distribution setup.
“Through our various food assistance programs (TEFAP, CSFP) via Feeding South Dakota, we have so far, in 2026, received and distributed 28,404 pounds of food from January to May of 2026,” reports Schomberg.
The food ministry serves people from 11 different towns and communities in the four-county area, Clay, Minnehaha, Lincoln, and Turner counties, around Beresford. The reach spans from as far south as Elk Point to as far north as Sioux Falls, with every community in between impacted. People from the area travel to the food distributions. Share and Care provides food assistance, as it is available, to local community food pantries.
Schomberg shares, “Additionally, we are already in a wonderful financial position. We receive generous donations from our community, and a grant from the Dakotas-Minnesota Methodist Foundation has enabled us to purchase or acquire everything we need to serve the people of this region and set this ministry up to succeed for years to come.”
Share and Care is Zion UMC's core expression of living faith. By opening their doors and reimagining their space for service, the congregation demonstrates that true ministry is where love meets need. The ministry is intentionally designed to create a welcoming, dignified experience for every guest.  At every step from the parking lot through the selection of food items, volunteers welcome and assist people.

Produce ready for distribution at Share and Care. Photo from Facebook.

Lay member Shelby Docken said, “We get to build relationships and let people know we’re here to help — whatever that looks like.”
The food ministry is connected to the South Dakota State University Extension Research Farm, located near Beresford. The research farm donates fresh produce to Share and Care. Recently, SDSU provided cucumbers and will be supplying additional produce throughout the growing season.
In a world often filled with empty words, the Share and Care ministry shows how we can all embrace new opportunities to make a positive impact on our communities. An amazing team of nearly 30 volunteers from the Beresford community stands ready to help anyone. Pastor John and the team of volunteers are willing to share with anyone in the Dakotas Conference who wants to learn more about easing their community’s food insecurity or how to identify needs and take the next step forward.
“Let this be but one example of how we, who follow the risen Christ, serve together through our actions and in love,” said Pastor John.
Read more about Share and Care ministry.