Volunteers get ready to distribute food from the Great Plains Food Bank. Photos by Ray Sherwood.

The United Methodist Church in Bowman, North Dakota, is serving up God’s love and food to the hungry people. The congregation works with the community and Great Plains Food Bank to deliver 300-400 boxes every 6-8 weeks. They also help families through the Community Cupboard.

“It is cool to see what we can do,” said Rev. Ray Sherwood, who serves at Bowman UMC. He and his wife Brenda are actively involved in both efforts to feed the hungry. “The community does a great job making sure there is plenty of food.

The Great Plains Food Bank brings a semi-trailer into town to distribute boxes of food. It takes about 12-15 volunteers to distribute 300-400 boxes of food.

“We have four people for Bowman UMC who are regular volunteers at the food giveaway. It helps families stretch their dollars further,” said Pastor Ray.

Pastor Ray, Brenda, and members of the congregation are very involved in the Community Cupboard, a local food pantry. The pantry is set up like a grocery store with refrigerator and freezer sections. Bowman UMC and other churches stock the Cupboard and volunteer as workers.  

During the COVID pandemic, people would call in their orders. The orders were packed and delivered to cars. The Community Cupboard is back to allowing shoppers to gather what they need. A walk-up window has been added as well as keeping ice cream in the freezer.

The Community Cupboard feeds families in Bowman, North Dakota.

“We are a tight-knit community that is here to take care of each other,” said Sherwood. “The Community Cupboard is located on a corner lot and can expand as needed.

Members of Bowman UMC are also providing 200 pounds of food every week to the elementary school. Each week 5-7 families receive food as needed, distributed by the principal and teachers.

“Brenda often runs to Dickinson to get things like breakfast bars on sale,” said Pastor Ray. “It is a way to help children and families through the weekend.”

At Thanksgiving time and Christmas, members at Bowman UMC adopt families for meals and gifts.

“We are being the church and reaching people,” Pastor Ray said.

The Community Cupboard is an example of how churches feed the bodies and souls of people in local communities across the Dakotas Conference. If you have an idea for starting or expanding a local outreach program to feed the hungry, support the 2021 Miracle Offering: Feeding the Dakotas. One-third of the gifts received will be distributed back to local hunger programs. 

Your donation to the 2021 Miracle Offering can grow. Great Plains Food Bank of North Dakota will receive one-third of the funds collected for the 2021 Miracle Offering: Feeding the Dakotas. Great Plains Food Bank will match the gift up to $25,000. The goal is to raise $75,000, giving $25,000 to the Great Plains Food Bank.  Make plans now and prepare your heart to give to the 2021 Miracle Offering.