Conduit Ministries, 120 Delaware Ave., serves free meals every Sunday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Brooklyn Square. However, citing a growing need and geographical restrictions for some, the church’s leadership has added another day, location and times to its mobile food distribution program.

“Feeding people and meeting their basic needs is something Jesus did,” said Senior Pastor Cameron Lienhart. “We’re trying to build relationships with people. We want them to know that there is a God, who loves them and wants to know them. There is no expectation when we feed people. We don’t expect them to come to church here or anywhere else. However, they are welcomed here if they choose to go to church.”

Lienhart continued to explain the need to expand the church’s Thanksgiving Meal giveaway program and the Conduit Food Truck program.

“It’s very apparent, based on the growing numbers of those who come and get a meal every Sunday, that people need help. The Conduit-In-A-Box truck is serving meals on Wednesday evenings, at various parks around the city,” he said. “Last year we gave out 1,250 turkeys and Thanksgiving meals and we ran out of supplies within an hour. This year we’re trying to up that number to 1,500 to try and meet the need.”

Members of Conduit Ministries, Bemus Point United Methodist Church and other volunteers joined forces to distribute 1250 Thanksgiving meals across Jamestown and some surrounding areas in November 2023. One of the distribution locations was Geroge Washington Middle School, where 175 meals were distributed in under 30 minutes. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

The Conduit Food Truck will be at following locations from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday:

Conduit Church, 120 Delaware Ave.; July 17, Aug.7 and Aug. 28

Jackson Taylor Park, 10th and Washington Street; July 24 and Aug. 14

Appleyard Terrace Complex, East Second St.; July 31, Aug. 14

However, as driven as Lienhart and his church members are, he is quick to acknowledge that mobile truck and Thanksgiving giveaway isn’t possible without the collaborative efforts of many.

“Our partner organizations, individuals and churches make all this possible,” he said. “From those who make monetary donations, to those who volunteer their time, businesses who have chosen to support our missions; God has blessed us.”

As previously reported by The Post-Journal, last year, during the church’s Thanksgiving Giveaway, at one location, George Washington Middle School, the entire stock of meal stores, 175 (dinners) was given out in 30 minutes – perpetrating the upcoming planned expansion of Conduit Ministries Thanksgiving Giveaway.

“The need is there,” said Lienhart. “That’s part of the reason we’re going to try and expand not only the number of meals we’re going to pass out, but we’re also planning on expanding the geographical area of giving – meaning outside of Jamestown.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture found hunger in the U.S. rose sharply in 2022. The USDA reported that 44.2 million people lived in households that had difficulty getting enough food to feed everyone in 2022, up from 33.8 million people the year prior. Those families include more than 13 million children experiencing food insecurity, a jump of nearly 45% from 2021.

The leadership of St. Susan Center also reported a record number of meals being passed out in 2023.

“Across the city people are struggling,” said Cherie Rowland, St. Susan Center executive director. “Each year we’re serving more and more meals. In 2022 we served 39,000 meals, in 2023 we served 50,000 meals and this year we’re on par with serving 50,000 meals or more.”

For more information call (716) 294-3180, or visit conduitministries.com.