Inter-Faith Ministries of Greater Modesto

MODESTO -- Richard Mejia, a single father, raised his daughter, Hope (pictured with him at right), since birth.

He also worked as a food pantry volunteer in February until his car broke down. Mejia and his daughter also participated in the Milk and Education Program at the Inter-Faith Ministries.

"I wanted to give something back," Mejia said. "My time is all I have, so I volunteered at the food pantry. These people at Inter-Faith Ministries have helped me tremendously when we were hungry during hard times. We are blessed to meet them. They just do their job and I don't think they realize how they have helped people. It's brought tears to my eyes more than once."

Inter-Faith works as a caring and sharing group of faith-based congregations, organizations and individuals to help those in the greater Modesto area who are in need of food, clothing and other humanitarian services.

Address: 120 Kerr Ave., Modesto, 95355

Phone number: (209) 572-3117

Web site: www.interfaithmodesto.org

Services provided:

• Food pantry.

• Senior citizens home delivery service for seniors who lack transportation.

• Free Clothes Closet for those in need.

• Gleaning and gathering service (we will pick your fields, gardens or trees).

• Pickup service for donation items: all items sold to purchase food for our pantry.

• Food coalition-provides food to 55 non-profits and congregations feeding thousands of people in our community.

• Provide household items for disaster victims.

• Full service for infants.

How we help those in need:

Individuals and/or families assisted: Approximately 3,200 each month. Our client base is varied and we serve single adults, small and large families and senior citizens. The major recipients of our services are children and 80 percent of the people we serve are children.

Examples of our clients: single mothers with children, physically challenged individuals, single dads with children, grandparents raising grandchildren and great-grandchildren, senior citizens, large and small families in rental housing, families living in cars, families living in shelters, single individuals.

How a $10 donation can help:

1. 50 pounds of cereal.

2. 1 pair children's shoes.

3. 50 cans of green beans.

$25 donation:

1. 50 pounds of pinto beans.

2. 50 pounds of rice.

3. 50 pairs of socks.

$50 donation:

1. 30 half-gallons of milk.

2. 116 jars of baby food.

3. 50 pairs of underwear.

$100 donation:

1. Five warm children's jackets.

2. 128 cans of tuna.

3. 455 pounds of fresh fruits/vegetables.

Volunteer update:

We always need volunteers. Examples include:

• Bag groceries in pantry from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

• Clothes Closet checkout from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Answer phones at front desk with shifts from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Stock pantry with afternoon shifts available 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Sort clothes anytime 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Anything else we should know? We welcome all donations including household items, furniture and appliances. All will be sold to purchase food for the pantry. Clothing and accessory donations are given out in our Clothes Closet at no charge. Gleaning and Gathering opportunities wanted. Call Naomi at (209) 735-9604.