Good Afternoon 5B Community,
During the month of November until present Guildfield Missionary Baptist Church located, in my 5B02 single member district, in partnership with the Youth/Young Adult Collaborative, Luke C. Moore SHS I wish to advise you of the following:
For almost 4 weeks now, Guildfield Missionary Baptist Church has provided weekly free food outreach targeting Luke C.Moore SHS students. Guildfield undertook this outreach in response to our knowledge of the significant number of homeless students from across the city who attend Luke C. Moore SHS. Former 3-term ANC Commissioner Steptoe, current minister at Guildfield, each school morning between 7:30am - 9:45am, Guildfield's pastor (Rev. Elijah Sutton) and I setup and provide unlimited free food (fruit, drinks, pastries, snacks) to the LCM students.
Specifically, by 3AM several times each week, Pastor Sutton (who is almost 80) arrives at various food banks across the DMV and obtains food for our community's homeless and hungry citizens. Pastor Sutton has always remained empathetic towards the LCM youth, even when some congregate on the church parking or nearby alley. When Pastor Sutton was advised of the homeless condition of many of the LCM students, and asked if Guildfield could feed them, Pastor immediately agreed. With that, any given weekday morning, Guildfield feeds up to 20 LCM students. These LCM students are very polite, gracious and appreciative. Minister Steptoe organizes and distributes from a cart stationed on the church lot with food to offer the students.
The students are allowed to take as much as they want; many stuff several bags, pockets and book bags depending on what we have and what they like. Guildfield is sensitive to provide the students portable food. Initially, the students arrived around 8:30am but now they arrive shortly before 8AM. These students expect us; we ask what they like and try to provide. As the weather changes, so will our food; we let the students know too that we will be stationed in the fellowship hall as temperatures drop.
Guildfield's daily outreach to feeding needy LCM students (and anyone) has not gone unnoticed. A nearby neighbor on Newton Street (whose house abuts the church parking lot) was kind enough to donate a very large box of granola bars (the youth loved them!). We also received a few donations from persons Pastor allows to park free on our church lot. Council employees, lawyers, gov't employees, etc., who either park on the lot or who see us each morning (like yourself), comment that what Pastor and Guildfield is doing for our needy homeless youth is applaudable.
We even had a couple of DC MPD police patrol vehicles come to the church lot. These MPD patrols too noted our efforts as commendable and applaudable. We noticed less students meandering in the alley. More importantly, we see the difference in the youth in just the last few weeks. We chat with them; encourage them; pray for them; and listen to them. Guildfield is pleased to help our youth and needy. Guildfield's direct engagement is making a difference.
This information is being sent because this morning, around 9:30am, we learned from the LCM principal and LCM teacher that "someone" indicated Guildfield was selling/providing marijuana brownies to the youth." Pastor Sutton and Minister Steptoe saw Principal Langston and Mr. Lawson walking on Otis Street, looking onto the Church's parking lot. They were called over and greeted. When Principal Langston spoke about Guildfield providing marijuana brownies, she was taken on a tour. Frankly, I did not take seriously that anyone would honestly believe Guildfield was cooking food laced with marijuana. However, Principal Langston and Mr.Lawson were brought into the fellowship hall, introduced to Pastor Sutton and two of the food bank volunteers, and showed them the full layout.
Both Principal Langston and Mr. Lawson were absolutely thrilled to see Guildfield's commitment and efforts to the needy LCM students. Principal Langston agreed this homeless population existed at LCM. Principal Langston so thanked Guildfield for their charitable response.
Guildfield is please and committed to providing spiritual and tangible sustenance to all those in need. We shall continue our youth/young adult outreach, and welcome all whow ish to join our daily LCM food ministry.
Commissioner Ursula Higgins
Chairperson, ANC 5B
Single Member District 5B02
Telephone: 202-321-5289
Email: 5b02@anc.dc.gov
Website: www.anc5b.org
0 comments:
Post a Comment