Food Ministry Story

“A little child shall lead them.” It was the kids of the church who got meal ministry going! In 1926, the girls of the church organized the Altruistic Club. 80% of their donations went to various Cleveland causes, including food support.

It was the Great Depression. 50% of Cleveland males were out of work. It was during that decade that Calvary’s first food ministry began. Calvary hosted a bread line, with folks lining up on the street to get free bread & other food at the church’s building.

Forty years later (1973). Calvary began its first ongoing meal ministry. Calvary’s Sue Duncan began serving daily meals to seniors, using food donated from Lutheran Metro Ministries, and the Western Reserve Committee on Aging. Nora Schoonover then led the ministry from 1980-2003 in partnership with the West Side Ecumenical Ministry (WSEM). Under Schoonover the program added shopping trips, social outings, health screenings, and more.

 Weekly Community Meals (begun in 1991 and 2004).

In 1991 Calvary began a weekly Community Meal, in partnership with the other Reformed churches in our area: West Park, Brooklyn, Brunswick, Parkview, and Parma Park. That meal continues to this day under the leadership of Pat Frye.

Then in 2004 Calvary began a Thursday lunch under the leadership of Opal Martin. That ministry continues today (2024) under Pat, Victoria, Anna, & others.

 Food Pantries

1994-1996 The Share Program food co-op helped folks save on groceries.

In 2008 Calvary began a large Food Pantry and Produce ministry. These were monthly giveaways: one for meat/eggs/pantry items, and the other for fruits & veggies.

The food pantry ended in 2015, and the produce ministry in 2020 during the covid-19 pandemic.

Now (2024) we share food through our crisis pantry.