Grant Spotlight:

Empowering Local Projects Making a Difference

At ECS-NJ, our mission is to empower ministries across the Diocese to grow, thrive, and serve more boldly in their communities. By providing strategic financial support and resources, ECS-NJ helps congregations turn vision into action, expanding outreach ministries and deepening their commitment to Gospel Justice. One shining example of this transformative work can be found in Clarksboro, where ECS-NJ is honored to support the remarkable efforts of St. Peter’s Community Food Pantry. In the reflection below, the Rev. David Snyder shares his firsthand experience of the profound impact this ministry is making not only on the lives of those it serves, but on the spiritual life of the parish itself.

St. Peter’s-Clarksboro’s Community Food Pantry

Submitted by: Fr. Dave Snyder (left)

When Bishop Chip Stokes founded Episcopal Community Services of the Diocese of New Jersey in March of 2020, it was the fulfillment of his vision to create an organization that would provide much needed financial resources to assist congregations to expand their outreach ministries, and fulfill their Baptismal commitment to “proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ; to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself and to strive for justice and peace among all people”.  The St. Peter’s Community Food Pantry in Clarksboro represents, in a powerful and delightful way, the fulfillment of Bishop Stoke’s inspired vision. On Saturday, June 21^st, I had the privilege of visiting the St. Peter’s Community Food Pantry and to witness the operation “up close and personal”. I can testify that what has been accomplished in the past two years in Clarksboro is nothing short of miraculous!  Once a month on the 3^rd Saturday of the month, dozens of volunteers, parishioners and community members, assemble to proclaim God’s fierce and relentless love through the distribution of fruits and vegetables, meat, bread, and pastries to an average of 140 families in the greater Clarksboro community.

The pantry officially opens at 9 am but the morning I visited, there were 15 cars in the parking lot at 7:00am and by 8:30 am they started distributing because there were 50 cars in line out onto the street. The food pantry is the result of the energy and vision of Mtr. Mantelle Bradley, Rector at St. Peter’s.  Having experienced the impact of poverty earlier in her life, she has a passion to provide resources for families that, in her words, “have too much to qualify for food stamps but not enough to survive without assistance.  What St. Peter’s is able to do is provide these folks with “room to breathe”.  Perhaps the most remarkable aspect to this ministry is the impact that it has had on the spiritual life and vitality of the people of St. Peter’s church.  

When I asked Mtr. Mantelle how many parishioners are involved, she replied, “Just about everyone”.  Volunteers of all ages (including the youngest volunteer, Kaia, aged 5) pitch in to do what needs to be done,  from collecting fruits and veggies donated by Bushels of Blessings (a ministry of the First Assembly of God in Carney’s Point) to baking muffins during Bible study, to making regular donations of dollars and gifts-in-kind (each week the people, who can afford to, are asked to bring one item-last week it was sugar and next week, cooking oil).   

During my visit, it was my privilege to meet many of the wonderful volunteers who give so generously to ensure the success of this ministry. I met Triton (one of the youngest volunteers at age 11) and Kelsey (a nurse sporting a Red Sox cap and a Phillies t-shirt, my two favorite MLB teams) and her five year old son, Jack; Beth (the volunteer coordinator), Tamika (a client who is now a volunteer and active member of St. Peter’s), Mary (the pantry treasurer), and Sherryl (the parish treasurer) and her 6 year old grandson, Henry.  Everyone I spoke with exhibited the deep and abiding joy that comes when we give of ourselves to enhance the lives of others.  

The membership at St. Peter’s (which was around 62 persons when Mtr. Mantelle began her ministry in 2019) has grown to more than 200. Because of that growth, the vision of the  pantry was made possible.  And most of the spiritual growth and Parishioner’s activity is directly connected to the pantry.  But the growth has not just been in terms of numbers; many parishioners have experienced a deepened and expanded commitment to Christ and to His church as a result of their involvement in this ministry.  When I inquired about the annual operating budget, I was told, “we don’t have a budget”.  The cost of operating the pantry is approximately $1k per month, but the church contributes only 10% of their fundraisers; the ministry is totally dependent upon the generosity of members and friends of the St. Peter’s Community Food Pantry.  The pantry has been blessed with wonderfully generous community partners like Shoprite Supermarkets (they donate food and, four times each year, host “food drives” which benefit the pantry) the Little Red School House (they donate $500.00 every month to help defray operating expenses and buy much needed meats) the Rural Development Corporation (which donates food), and as mentioned above, Bushels of Blessings.  It really does “take a village” to sustain this Gospel Justice ministry.

Episcopal Community Services of New Jersey is proud to be a partner in this amazing ministry.  St. Peter’s Community Food Pantry has received two ECS grants (the first grant was to renovate a 60-year-old garage which now provides the operational headquarters for the pantry, and, in 2024, a grant was awarded which enabled the purchase of a high capacity freezer unit, which has made a huge difference in the pantry’s operation. Before leaving, I told Mtr. Mantelle that ECS-NJ exists to support and encourage Gospel Justice ministries, like the St. Peter’s Community Food Pantry, across the Diocese of New Jersey, and that we rejoice in all that God has done (and will continue to do) in Clarksboro thru the work of God’s people at St. Peter’s Church.