About Us

The recent movement toward ‘faith-based initiatives’ as an alternative to government programs for assisting the disadvantaged in our communities presents a challenge to all of us who seek to follow Christ’s ‘Great Commission.’ Here in Berlin, we have already begun to address that challenge. In late 1998, four Berlin churches - Holy Communion Lutheran, Berlin Baptist, Centenary United Methodist and the Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal) - joined to form and incorporate GIFT, God’s Interfaith Food Table. GIFT is an organized food pantry providing regular distribution to those in need. GIFT’s history includes being named by the NJ Food Bank as the state’s top distribution charity for 2000.

GIFT operates by purchasing food, primarily from the Food Bank of South Jersey. Funding support, as well as additional food donations, is provided by the member congregations. Additional funding has been received through public and private grants which include Shoprite, Berlin Lions Club, Berlin Rotary Club, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and Verizon. Each week, volunteers prepare grocery bags with canned and packaged goods, as well as frozen meats purchased from USDA. Clients are entitled to receive food parcels, based upon family size, twice each month. GIFT volunteers assist in the food distribution. As greater funding resources have become available, we have begun to broaden the variety of items distributed. Recently, we have included personal toiletry products (toothpaste, shampoo, soap) with the food parcels. Food parcels are distributed from the social hall of Holy Communion Lutheran Church, on Route 73 in Berlin. While public assistance referrals are preferred, GIFT was created to reach as many people in need as possible; thus, we do not turn anyone away.