Church of St. Peter the Fisherman

The Church of St. Peter the Fisherman hosts a free breakfast every Sunday for the homeless and needy in Wilmington. Early Bread is a cooperative effort with Wesley Memorial United Methodist, Grace United Methodist, St. Andrews Covenant Presbyterian, and several other county churches which send volunteers every Sunday to cook, serve, minister, and clean. Early Bread started in May of 1999, and, since then, has fed more than 20,000 people. We "feed the soul and spirit" of an average of 85-100 people each Sunday. Approximately 95 percent of those served are men; some are veterans. Recently, we have agreed to feed residents from First Fruits Ministry transitional housing and Union House, a women's shelter. Additionally, with the opening of the new overnight shelter at Good Shepherd Ministries, we have taken on providing breakfast for those residents, including family units. On our most recent Sunday, we fed more than 150 persons!

Father in Heaven. on bended knees I pray, thank you giving me this new day. Keep me safe all day long, help me to determine right form wrong. Give me kind words to pass along the way that someone may be able to use today. And when the day is over and the darkness falls, watch over me dear Lord all through the night.
Jimmy Robbins

NEEDS

Our Early Bread Ministry has been steadily growing, especially with the opening of Good Shepherd's overnight facility. We need donations of white cotton socks, razors, old glasses, deodorant, toothpaste, toiletries, etc. Please help our brothers and sisters in need.

Donated funds and food for this program provide a standard menu for breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast-- either plain or with cheese-- grits, fruits, cereal, sweet cakes, and orange juice, milk, and coffee. Early Bread serves from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. every Sunday. Workers arrive as early as 6:00 a.m. each Sunday morning to prepare the meal.

In addition to free breakfast, other services include a clothes closet, toiletry items, medical screening, job referrals, and access to rehabilitation centers. Articles and services are donated and these gifts and services are provided free of charge. Biblical video programs and Bible-based12-step programs are also available. All guests are welcomed to worship at St. Peters.

Early Bread Kitchen Crew An active prayer ministry covers the whole operation. Prayer requests are taken each Sunday from all in attendance, and these requests are lifted up in our churches and prayer groups.

Although the ministry continues to provide services for the homeless and needy, Early Bread itself is in need. Monetary donations help to buy the food (30 dozen eggs for each Sunday!) and clothing donations stock the clothes closet. With our greatly increased numbers, we urgently need to expand/remodel our kitchen to handle this new load efficiently and safely, Our needs also include covering fuel and maintenance costs for our 15-passenger van used to transport people from the New Hanover County Library, Mercy House Men's Shelter, and the other participating shelters to the church. Currently, Grace Methodist and Wesley Memorial United Methodist Churches provide additional van service and drivers to help support the transportation program.

There is always a need for more volunteers to help in the kitchen with food preparation and serving as well as with driving and greeting people with a friendly smile at the door. If you want to help, contribute, or just have questions, please contact Bill West, 256-6000, or Stacy Nemec, 793-6640.