The World English Dictionary defines hunger as a feeling of pain, emptiness, or weakness induced by lack of food, or to have or cause to have a need or craving for food. While the United States has an abundance of food and the majority of people have regular access to an abundant supply of it, they may not necessarily have financial access to foods that are of good quality or promote proper nutrition. City Church International in Dallas is one ministry that recognizes the need for access to good quality food in the poor inner city neighborhood in which it is located, and is committed to doing something about it by operating a food pantry for people from the surrounding area. City Church desires to provide the best food that it can to those who need it and happens to provide plenty of good quality and tasty items. They specialize in bread, and hence their ministry is called Bread From Heaven. I asked a couple of guys who have responsibility for it, how it began, food access in Dallas in general, and why they are involved. Kelvin Reed, a staff member of the church, and Zane Callens, the ministry leader, were gracious to fill me in on some of their reasons for involvement.
Chuck: Kelvin, how did you get the name “Bread From Heaven”?
Kelvin: We had a drawing here at the church. People were encouraged to submit names, and the staff and pastors decided on the best one.
Chuck: How long has City Church International been doing Bread from Heaven?
Kelvin: We've had a small food pantry since the church started in 2004.
Chuck: How many people are served by this ministry each week?
Kelvin: It depends on a number of factors but we have had 50-75 on the average at times.
Chuck: Where do the people come from who are served by this ministry?
Kelvin: Mostly from the CCI neighborhood and surrounding area. Many drive up and wait in line. Sometimes they come from further out in the city.
Chuck: You say “further out in the city”. How far does someone have to walk within the central part of Dallas in order to receive free food?
Kelvin: There are a number of food pantries in the city, so they might not have to go that far. There used to be a man though that walked a couple of miles to come here.
Chuck: What other churches or ministries distribute food in East Dallas?
Kelvin: There are several in our zip code. Emmanuel Lutheran, The Father’s House, Wilkinson Center, other churches, etc…. The North Texas Food Bank has a list of their distributors. There were so many that we could not be a Texas Food Bank partner because our zip code (75204) was at its max.
Chuck: Where does your food come from?
Kelvin: Currently both the Park Lane. and Lakewood Whole Foods, as well as Albertsons and Tom Thumb.
Chuck: What code requirements does CCI have to meet in order to distribute food?
Kelvin: None that I am aware of.
Chuck: Why can’t these people just go to a neighborhood discount grocery?
Kelvin: they can and many choose both. I think they like coming to BFH and seeing the familiar faces and the prayers. But, they also LOVE the sweets!
Chuck: What makes this ministry different from other food distribution facilities in the area?
Kelvin: Well we most often only have bread & pastries, but our focus is to give the bread of life, not the bread for bellies and the volunteers use it as an opportunity for immediate gospel outreach.
Chuck: What are the common behavioral issues associated with the people who come for food?
Kelvin: Not that there aren’t different degrees, but some are alcoholics and belligerent, some have been hurt, and shamed, and are resistant to outreach, but some do welcome it with sincere thanks. Many are addicts, homeless, indigent, single moms, moms with large families trying to supplement their groceries.... but the common issue is sin, and self like the rest of us, it just manifests in a cycle of strongholds common to the inner city population.
Chuck: Are any of these people capable of eventually rising above their circumstances and improving their economic well-being?
Kelvin: They are all capable “in various degrees” but what I have witnessed is lack of commitment to do what it takes for true transformation to happen from the inside out.
Chuck: What would you like a church member or just someone in the neighborhood to do if someone walks up to them and asks for money, whether or not they specify if it is for food?
Kelvin: Our general policy is not to give money for any reason but try to meet needs in other ways. We have a referral sheet with many services to help listed on it.
Chuck: What do you think about random individuals giving food to the homeless and hungry on the streets or parking lots whom they encounter?
Kelvin: It's great. Feed them with food, love them with Jesus. Matthew 25:31-46
Chuck: How does individualized random food distribution – ie – someone giving away an apple or a loaf of bread, help or hinder the work that Bread from Heaven and other food distribution ministries do?
Kelvin: It’s no hindrance at all.
Chuck: Could the City of Dallas do anything to improve the situation of hunger in Dallas?
Kelvin: Well sure, but I imagine it’s a messy complicated broken political system
Chuck: Should every church follow your example with Bread from Heaven?
Kelvin: Matthew 25 gives us an example to follow and BFH tries to walk that out, but ultimately I believe it is only an outreach tool, and so yes I believe every church is called to reach out with the resources with which they are provided.
Chuck: Hunger does not only exist on Saturdays. Has there been any consideration for expanding this food distribution to other days?
Kelvin: We have had the doors open throughout the week in the past when there was a surplus, but we have no desire for the ministry to grow larger in numbers but rather grow deeper. What that means is our members’ relationships with the Lord and our relationships with those in the community that have a true hunger for God, and are willing to do whatever it takes to follow Him.
Chuck: What are CCI’s thoughts about obesity in the US population among the poor and does its food distribution ministry do anything or have plans to do anything to ensure that its aid recipients lead healthier lifestyles?
Kelvin: Good question!’ And it is tough not having any specific strategy, but it is the pastor's heart to try and give the healthiest food that is available... I think that's why Whole Foods is a big source for CCI.
Chuck: Zane, we have heard a lot from Kelvin. You are now the point guy for Bread From Heaven. What caused you to become involved here?
Zane: I am very committed to City Church International and what it is doing. I am willing to serve in whatever area I can serve. Bread From Heaven is a great ministry, and I am motivated to serve here due to the impact two different verses: “Matthew 25:40” and “Galatians 2:10” have had on my life. I’ve been with BFH for a while, and was asked by the church to lead it
Chuck: Do you have any frustrations with your involvement?
Zane: Probably the most difficult thing would have to be not knowing how many volunteers will be here on any typical Saturday morning. .That creates a bit of a time management problem.
Chuck: I know you are in the Marines and have aspirations to attend college. How do you see this helping you in the future?
Zane: I think my involvement here is preparing me for how to relate to people on different levels, including leaders and individuals throughout an organization, as well as helping me to relate to all different types of people socio-economically.
Chuck: What are the rewards that you have seen that have kept you involved with Bread From Heaven?
Zane: It is definitely seeing the people who are coming on Saturday mornings for the food and prayer, who then show up at church on Sundays, and also are getting involved in our Tuesday night Bible studies. Their lives are being changed through our connection with them here, and they are getting involved.
The Life in the Bread
Posted: February 28, 2012 by Chuck DeShazo
