GUMC Unites with Free Breakfast

The last Saturday of every month, the Box Springs Parish works together to provide a service to the surrounding community: free breakfast. This monthly practice takes place at the Grace United Methodists Church and is open to all. Combined, the Grace, Highgrove, and the Moreno Valley United Methodists Churches create the Box Springs Parish. Although there are three locations, the Parish is united in service and works together as “One Church, Three sites”. The parish got the idea for free monthly breakfasts, after members volunteered at the free community breakfast at the Joshua Tree Community United Methodist Church. The parish would visit every three months and in December 2013, the Box Springs Parish had their very own first free community breakfast. According to Keith Ayers, "the parish has had a very positive experience with the program.” Ayers is a member of the parish and has helped start the program in his own community. “We help feed the people in the community breakfast, we feel there’s a need here,” said Ayers. The community has been responsive to this monthly event and attendance has grown to range anywhere from 25 to 50 people each month. Locals enjoy the home-cooked meal and spend time getting to know their neighbors. James Bender, member of the parish and volunteer, believes "it is the right thing to do.” The environment provided for the community is very welcoming, which is their motivational and goal outcome. Pastor Lisa Wright of the Box Springs Parish, says, “Our motivation here is to provide a family atmosphere, warm environment, and a free plentiful breakfast for our community members.” This is perfectly characterized as you walk in and smell the fresh food and are welcomed by the friendly faces. “We are a diverse body of about 50 people,” said Wright. The integration of different people working together creates a close-knit family that radiates in the church. The parish goes beyond their duties of serving breakfast; volunteers will drive around looking for people in need of a breakfast and give them a ride to the church. Pastor Wright shares that volunteers pick up one local senior citizen who has trouble waking so that she can participate in the event. Come down to the next breakfast on the last Saturday of the month on March 29th, for a gathering at the Grace United Methodists Church. As the Reverend Youngston Jhun from the parish said, “Church food makes you stronger.”