Community Dinner and Pantry

Since 2007, the Sacred Heart Church of Ocean Beach Community Dinner and Pantry (Feeding the Hungry Ministry), has served over 35,000 full meals for those in need, including, low income families, those who are homeless, seniors, those with disabilities, and anyone who simply needs a meal. We serve at 6:00 p.m. on alternate Tuesdays in the parish hall (please see the parish calendar to determine the exact date). Depending on the time of month and year, we serve 80 – 150 guests.

The meal consists of:

  • Fresh fruit bowl
  • Banana Pudding
  • Fresh green salad
  • A starch: either pasta, rice or potatoes
  • Meat entrée: either chicken or pork, and occasionally beef or lamb
  • Blanched Fresh seasonal vegetables
  • Bread
  • Desserts provided by donation and homemade by parishioners
  • Beverages: Milk, Coffee, when available, Juice

 

In conjunction with the dinner, we also have a small food pantry service for families providing perishable (for those with refrigerators) and non-perishable items. Again, depending on the time of month and year, we serve between 30 – 45 families.

We also have a clothing distribution which occurs, and in conjunction with the dinner, on a quarterly basis. We are expanding this service and plan to have a reserve of clothing and toiletry items for men, women and children at all times. All our clothes are donated. If you wish to donate, we are looking for socks, sweatshirts and blankets.

 

 

We have also provided medical wellness checks with student nurses from local universities, and we have recently partnered with the County Health Department to provide free Hepatitis A vaccinations for guests and volunteers.

Finally, we provide Volunteer opportunities for members of the community, including those who need to complete Community Service hours.

 

 

Volunteers:
If you wish to volunteer, please download and fill out the volunteer information and waiver form. Bring it with you when you come to volunteer. If you cannot download the form, we will have forms for you when you arrive, but if you are under 18 years of age, you will need to bring a parent with you to sign the waiver.

Click here for volunteer information and waiver form

Most volunteers arrive between 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on the afternoon of the dinner to help with final food preparation and set-up, and service. Later volunteers provide much needed assistance with clean-up from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

If you want to work in the kitchen early, we cook the main meal in advance from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

 

Online Donations:
Sacred Heart Parish is able to donate to the Community Dinner and Pantry (Feeding the Hungry Ministry) by using the Parish Online Giving Program. Donors to this important Ministry simply need to select the fund for Community Dinner and Pantry (Feeding the Hungry Ministry) which is indicated on the online giving form. We thank you for your generous gifts to our Community Dinner and Pantry (Feeding the Hungry Ministry).

For an explanation regarding donating to this fund, please refer to the graphic in the last section of the detailed online giving instructions (see below) that shows where to “Choose a Fund”.

Please click here to donate and for detailed online giving instructions.

 

Resources:
Sacred Heart Parish has handouts available listing Free Meal Services and Homeless Resources throughout San Diego.

Please click here to print the Free Meal Services Handout.

Please click here to print the Homeless Resources Handout.

 

Contact: Jack Hamlin, email JackHamlin55@gmail.com