I have volunteered with this group for several years. No one including the Director of the program gets paid this is a mission of love for the community and for the people in the community that are less fortunate .This is a food ministry that feeds somewhere between five and 600 people a week.If you are looking for a place to volunteer or donate this is it!!
As a newly retired teacher, I am checking out ways to continue giving back (AND I have heard there’s no such thing as a retired Christian!)…I volunteered with BOL for a meal when they were temporarily housed in our church’s fellowship hall. I was amazed at the camaraderie and caring the team showed the clientele. God is blessing “the least of these” through Palatka Bread of Life!
The Bread of Life in Putnam County is one of the most well organized organizations that I have ever had the pleasure to be a part of. There are so many things behind the scenes that no one gets to see that makes this mission possible. The community is amazing at donating food and water to help this wonderful mission. This group works diligently to make sure our community is fed a hot, delicious home cooked meal five days a week. The volunteers and board members genuinely love what they do and the people they serve. They make sure the people get a balanced meal and plenty of water. On top of that the fellowship is amazing! I can't say enough how much I love this mission!
The Bread of Life was relocated in August of 2109 to Westminster Hall at First Presbyterian Church of Palatka, when the original building was closed for repairs and renovation. Since that time, regular feedings are occurring Monday through Friday, 11:30-12:30. For most days, sponsors select a day to provide a cooked meal to serve approximately 40-50 homeless or food insecure individuals and families. An entirely volunteer organization, the newly elected Board is seeking funding to provide for one (or two) positions to expand the organization as well as renovations to the original building. There is a tremendous outpouring and revitalization of the downtown churches and area businesses to insure BOL stays on mission. The old building is intended to be a permanent location for storage, meal prep, cold weather shelter and educational/self-care facility for the population we serve. Volunteers experience great joy and satisfaction in the new approach taken on by BOL. My experience since August has renewed my commitment to outreach for our most vulnerable citizens. In 2020, we will continue to provide connection with services, local churches and businesses to provide a more meaningful approach to lifting up those who come to be fed. Come experience the new and improved Bread of Life! You will certainly be blessed!