God's Interfaith Food Table/Holy Communion Lutheran Church

The recent movement toward ‘faith-based initiatives' as an alternative to government programs for assisting the disadvantaged in our communities presents a challenge to all of us who seek to follow Christ's ‘Great Commission.' Here in Berlin, we have already begun to address that challenge. In late 1998, four Berlin churches - Holy Communion Lutheran, Berlin Baptist, Centenary United Methodist and the Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal) - joined to form and incorporate GIFT, God's Interfaith Food Table. GIFT is an organized food pantry providing regular distribution to those in need. Food parcels are distributed from the social hall of Holy Communion Lutheran Church, on Route 73 in Berlin. While public assistance referrals are preferred, GIFT was created to reach as many people in need as possible; thus, we do not turn anyone away. GIFT operates on a regular food distribution schedule, currently four times per month: 1st & 2nd Wednesdays - 11 am to 12 noon; 3rd & 4th Thursdays - 7 to 8 pm