Debra Childers, founder of Feeding the Flock, has friends everywhere. And those friends are always willing to help those who have less than they do. Wherever she goes, from church to lunch meetings, from Wells Park in El Cajon to Smart and Final stores, not only does Childers get lots of smiles, she ends up with a bounty of blessings and armloads of food for whoever needs them.
“We’ve grown so big that we have to have a fundraiser now, our first really big one for the public,” said Childers.
Debra Childers, founder of Feeding the Flock, has friends everywhere. And those friends are always willing to help those who have less than they do. Wherever she goes, from church to lunch meetings, from Wells Park in El Cajon to Smart and Final stores, not only does Childers get lots of smiles, she ends up with a bounty of blessings and armloads of food for whoever needs them.
“We’ve grown so big that we have to have a fundraiser now, our first really big one for the public,” said Childers.
The Celebrity Chef Celebration, as the fundraiser is called, will feature local chefs serving up sweet and savory tastings. It will be held at the Rock Church of East County.
The ministry, which started in Childers’ own kitchen just under two years ago, has grown from twenty or so shut-ins to hundreds of homeless and hungry in body, soul and spirit.
“We’re not just about giving people food, although that is almost always a part of it. We do so much more that we are building a Help Center to address these additional needs. We will even help with the people’s needs of their pets,” said Childers, a La Mesa resident.
The fundraiser’s aim is to garner enough money to buy needed supplies and a food truck. Last summer, an uninsured driver hit the truck
Feeding the Flock now operates a Food Bank in La Mesa where volunteers respond to emergency food requests and serve hot meals four times a week. This Food Bank operates out of Calvary Chapel in La Mesa.
At La Mesa United Methodist Church, a community outreach on the second Saturday of each month provides showers, breakfast and clothing for the homeless. Starting in May, there will also be offered haircuts and a health center to assess their needs.
In addition, each Saturday morning at 9:30, the ministry now gives hot meals to hundreds in Wells Park.
On Sunday mornings, there is a microsite of the Rock Church East County service in Wells Park, and another one at Lindo Lake.
Feeding the Flock also feeds people in Ocean Beach on Friday and Sunday evenings. Afterwards, Childers and volunteers walk around to talk with the people on the streets and find out what their needs are.
A common misconception of homeless people is that their situation is caused by alcoholism or drug addiction. Some people do have a problem with that, and the Help Center arm of Feeding the Flock puts them in touch with all the resources and agencies they will need.
Lack of jobs is still the main reason why people end up on the streets, Childers explained.
At a recent lunch meeting with one of the newest Feeding the Flock board members, Childers talked with Robert Miranda about future plans of Feeding the Flock. They sat salad and drank tea Mediterranean Salad at Lake Murray Café and penned dates in their calendars for produce pick-ups, feedings at the park, and cooking in Calvary Chapel’s kitchen.
Miranda knows firsthand the needs of the needy because he was one such person that Feeding the Flock reached out to. He came to a dinner at Calvary Church, and the pastor had Miranda help out in the kitchen.
“That’s how I met Debra. I wanted to help in whatever way she needed. So I go with her to the feeds at the park, to Ocean Beach, anything.
“This is my way of tithing to the church, of giving back. I’m not a rich man, but I can use my time to help Feeding the Flock,” Miranda said.
Feeding the Flock’s Celebrity Chef Celebration will take place at the Rock Church of East County at 808Javckman Street in El Cajon on Saturday, May 7, beginning at 2:30. There will also be a silent auction and vendors.
Profits of the fundraiser will be shared with the Christian Brotherhood, another local outreach ministry focused on getting the downtrodden of the streets and lifestyle of drugs, violence and other criminal activity.
For more information, go to www.sdrock.com/ministries/feedingtheflock/ or call Childers at 619-709-2292.
