Spokane, Wash. — After a brief closure, Shalom Ministries is set to bring back its longtime downtown meal program, beginning Friday, Oct. 30. The nonprofit, which has fed Spokane’s downtown community for 32 years, will distribute hot meals twice a week, first at a new commercial‑kitchen site secured through a partnership with City Gate.
New location, same mission
Shalom Ministries’ original dining hall was housed in Central United Methodist Church, where the final meal was served on Aug. 24. Since then, the organization has searched for a permanent space to continue its work. City Gate’s commercial‑kitchen access gives the ministry a temporary home where volunteers can prepare and package meals safely.
Meal schedule and outreach
Volunteers will prepare 125 hot meals for Friday distribution at the new kitchen site. On Mondays, the ministry will take a mobile approach, loading two vehicles with 100 meals and traveling to various neighborhoods throughout Spokane to reach people who cannot easily get to a fixed location.
Impact and community support
Last year Shalom Ministries served roughly 82,000 meals, reaching an estimated 7,000‑8,000 individuals each month. The program provides not only nourishment but also a safe place for people to sit, share a conversation, and experience the compassion of a faith‑based community.
Looking ahead
The organization hopes to secure a permanent facility where it can again offer sit‑down meals in a stable setting. In the meantime, the twice‑weekly schedule and mobile outreach aim to fill the gap left by the August shutdown and ensure that Spokane’s most vulnerable residents continue to receive essential food assistance.
How to help
Shalom Ministries welcomes volunteers to assist with meal preparation, packaging, and distribution. Donations of non‑perishable food items, monetary contributions, and transportation support are also needed to sustain the program’s expansion.
Original reporting: KHQ Spokane (news) — read the source article.
