by the Rev. Dr. Teresa Danieley, Transitional Priest-In-Charge
Last week, on a whim, I started a GoFundMe for the St. Stephen’s Food Pantry. Because two main air conditioning systems in the church failed suddenly this summer, because food prices have been going up and because community members’ level of food insecurity has been increasing, St. Stephen’s is really strapped for cash right now. I thought – why not try it and see what happens? Yes, the Vestry, the Food Pantry Team and I are exploring longer term options for fundraising, partnerships and grants, but why not see what funds might be raised through a Go Fund Me specifically for the Food Pantry?
What has happened in the past week is what I can only describe as a Loaves and Fishes Experience. Last Sunday, August 2, the reading of the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 14:13-21) recalls Jesus telling the disciples to feed a huge crowd that has gathered to hear him in a deserted place. They are skeptical, especially as they can only find 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Jesus takes the 5 loaves and 2 fish, blesses them, breaks them and somehow the disciples are able to feed well over 5000 people.
Andrea Henderson, a reporter from St. Louis Public Radio, reached out to me and asked to do a story about the St. Stephen’s Food Pantry, in the context of rising food prices, rising food insecurity in North County and St. Stephen’s immediate need for funding. This was a total surprise! The story came out on Monday, August 3. As of Thursday morning, August 6, 96 people from the wider community have given $7600.00 in financial donations! Some have dropped off food donations and still others have called and emailed with partnership and fundraising ideas. This week feels like a “loaves and fishes” moment – everyone is giving what they have to make sure that everyone who is hungry is fed!
On Sunday, August 2, the Episcopal Church Women sorted school supplies they bought to distribute on Tuesday morning, during the Food Pantry. Tuesday morning, August 4, was a busy Food Pantry morning – with guests collecting bags of pantry staples, school supplies and fresh green beans from the St. Stephen’s garden beds. While St. Stephen’s is not out of the woods financially, the Food Pantry certainly has the funds it needs to keep going for the next few months. Hopefully, now that the wider community knows that St. Stephen’s needs community support to keep the Food Pantry going, we will continue to receive broader support and we will definitely continue to engage more deeply in community partnerships.
If you wish to support the Food Pantry, you may give through Go Fund Me, through Tithe.ly or by check to “St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church” with “Food Pantry” in the memo, 33 N. Clay Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63135.
The St. Stephen’s Office is open 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
“Loaves and Fishes” picture from Jesus Mafa, an illustrated children’s Gospel from a Christian Collective in Cameroon that we often use in worship at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
Blessings & Bagging School Supplies collected by the Episcopal Church Women on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
Kids helping Emily B. pick green beans on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
