Food
Arise Church partners with South Plains Food Bank to fight food insecurity - KCBD
Arise Church has spent 24 years fighting food insecurity in Lubbock, and its Heaven Manna Ministry now distributes groceries twice a week through a partnership with the South Plains Food Bank. What started as the church simply buying its own food has grown into something much larger.
What started as the church simply buying its own food has grown into something much larger. Reverend Johnny Perez said the need has increased as local businesses have cut wages, pushing more residents onto fixed incomes. The ministry hands out food every Monday and Thursday morning beginning at 10 a.m. At 50th Street and Avenue P, running until supplies are gone.
Perez pointed directly to stagnant pay from local employers as a driver of demand, meaning the people showing up are often working adults and retirees stretched too thin, not just the unemployed. The South Plains Food Bank partnership gives the church access to a larger and more consistent supply than it could fund on its own.
Twenty-four years is a long time to watch a problem get worse instead of better.
Common questions
Who is the free food ministry at Arise Church meant to help?
- The ministry serves anyone in need, but Reverend Johnny Perez says demand has grown largely because local businesses have cut wages, pushing working adults and retirees onto fixed incomes. It is not limited to the unemployed.
How long has Arise Church been helping with food insecurity in Lubbock?
- Arise Church has been fighting food insecurity in Lubbock for 24 years. What started as the church buying its own food grew into the Heaven Manna Ministry, now operating in partnership with the South Plains Food Bank to expand its reach.
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