Jubilee Center - A Light In The Darkness For Those In Need

A single mother with kids has had her work hours cut during the off-season. An elderly man has to choose between his prescriptions or food. A woman has just received a diagnosis of cancer and is overwhelmed by the expense of uncertainty of her future. Yes, these are real Englewood residents who have found help and a ray of hope at the Jubilee Center on the campus of St. David’s Episcopal Church, 401 S. Broadway behind Beall’s Outlet and Save-A-Lot. The Jubilee Center is a beacon of light for those in need. There are four branches of this outreach ministry offered by St. David’s with the help of the Englewood community.

The FOOD PANTRY is open Monday through Thursday, 10am to noon. Upon providing a driver’s license or proof of Englewood address, anyone is welcome to receive food every two weeks or every week if you are a “camper” (no home address.) Based on family size, you are eligible for a bag or box containing various foods, snacks and toiletries. In May, the Jubilee Center served 211 client families, of which there were 455 adults and 188 kids. There were 26 clients who were first time visitors. Bread and sweets are donated by Publix and everything else is strictly donations from the community as the Food Pantry does not partner with All Faiths Food Bank. However, St. David’s Church is a host site for the All Faiths Food Truck on the third Saturday of the month (8:30-10:30am) when it brings fresh produce, canned goods and frozen foods for those in need. The food truck serves between 130-180 people at one visit and the lines can be long so applicants are encouraged to bring water and a wagon/cart for carrying the foodstuffs. 

Another service included free to anyone walking into the Food Pantry is a listening ear and a referral service to help navigate the difficulties of life. When you walk through the door to the Jubilee Center, you are approached with helpfulness.

The Jubilee Center hosts a free CLOTHES CLOSET where anyone served by the Food Pantry can select clothing and shoes. All clothes and shoes are donated by the Englewood community. The Clothes Closet is open on Tuesdays, 10am to noon. Donations of clothes and shoes for all ages and sizes are needed, especially kids’ clothing so if your kids or grandkids have outgrown their attire, it would be greatly appreciated and utilized at the Clothes Closet. 

The BACK PACK MINISTRY serves low-income children who attend Englewood Elementary School. Children receive a filled back pack two times a month to supplement meals on the weekend. New this year are back packs during the summer to help while kids are out of school. These back packs are distributed through the Food Pantry. Volunteers are needed to assist with this program.

Stop by CAFÉ JUBILEE on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings from 9am to noon for free coffee and homemade pastries. Located on the St. David’s campus, it is a welcoming place to meet friends, neighbors and other individuals like yourself. Hang out in its coffee shop atmosphere and relax, visit with others and make new friends. This is not a religious experience although if someone needs to discuss a problem, there are people available to listen.

Another component of this multi-faceted gem called the Jubilee Center is JUST NEIGHBORS, a community ministry comprised of representatives from organizations, churches and individuals who care and want to work together to bring awareness of the social problems faced by families and individuals in the Englewood community. The group works to identify and offer resources to help. That group will resume again in the fall.

The Jubilee Ministry began 13 years ago when St. David’s Church partnered with the small Foursquare Church, when Foursquare was unable to manage on their own to run their thrift store and make the rent. When Foursquare dissolved, the Food Pantry was moved over to St. David’s. Jubilee Centers are nationwide for Episcopal congregations who work with other denominations to bring resources for low-income families and homeless in the community.

St. David’s Church has a strong commitment to following Jesus’s example to help those less fortunate and the Jubilee Center is one way the church becomes the hands and feet of Jesus in serving others. For those of you out in the community who are looking for ways to be of service to others, the Jubilee Center offers many avenues to be of service and help your Englewood neighbors. Although St. David’s Episcopal Church offers these community outreach ministries, you do not need to be a church member or associated with St. David’s Church. 

Suggested ways to be of service: Donations of food stuffs, snacks, household supplies, toiletries, diapers or incontinent pads and clothing/shoes for all ages are most welcome. Volunteers are needed to help in the food pantry doing tasks from intake (welcoming clients), assisting with food selection and distribution as well as the behind the scenes jobs of maintaining a clean and orderly building or working outside with landscaping and plant watering. Clothes Closet Volunteers sort and size items and assist clients with selecting proper clothing. They can also help out in the St. David’s Thrift Shop. Volunteers must be 18 years old or older and present a willingness and openness to help their community neighbors in need.

If you are interested in volunteering, call Ruth Hill, Jubilee Center Administrator at 681•3550 or email [email protected]. Remember, service to others reaps great benefits to the giver as well.