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Volunteers assist with Transformed Through Hope Ministries food closet serving families
Transformed
Volunteers helping Transformed Through Hope Ministries were. back row, left: Ron Taylor, Liz Taylor, Erica Thomas. Middle row: Lucas Baluyut; Pastor Cynthia Jackson, Ernie Navarette. Becky DuBose, Paulitta Douglas, Glenda Mack, Marilyn Piernas Back row, middle to right: Elder Bodell, Utah; Elder Smith, Washington DC;Elder Force, Idaho; Elder Michell, Utah; Elder Hong, Virginia; and Elder Zemp, Alberta, Canada.

Volunteers gathered May 17 to support Transformed Through Hope Ministries’ food pantry to organize food bags for the needy.

Pastor Cynthia Jackson and her husband Pastor Wayne Jackson have served the community for many years, and recently relocated their church from Alameda Street to their new location at 314 Locust St. in Manteca.

Their food pantry partners with several other organizations in order to obtain the food commodities that Transformed Through Hope then distributes to those in need.

The commodities vary each month, but families are consistently provided with a variety of proteins, vegetables, fruits, canned goods, cereals, and snacks, as well as certain dairy products. This food pantry currently serves over 100 families, though at times as many as 150 families a month have had a need to access their services.

In order to prepare for the incoming crowd, a crew of volunteers gathers, usually on a Friday, to organize the food bags based on the food available for that month. They are then ready for distribution on the third Saturday of each month, with the promise of alleviating food insecurities for these families for a time.

On a recent Friday, 16 people gathered at the Locust Street location and worked for several hours to organize food bags.

Several volunteers were missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, serving in both the local Bella Vista Spanish and Union Wards.

These missionaries leave their homes for 2 years to share and invite others to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The missionaries also enjoy providing service in the communities to which they are sent.

Besides helping Pastor Jackson in the food pantry, they recently helped the Manteca Mural Society with some mural maintenance.

Other volunteers included Lucas Baluyut, just two days home from Cal Poly Humboldt; Becky DuBose, who is a member of the local Cornerstone Church; Marilyn Piernas, who co-chairs with Marsha Carter, and several other members of the Transformed Through Hope congregation, including Pastor Wayne.

These members and others from their congregation regularly volunteer to organize food bags, giving valuable service to their community and hope to those who are seeking a secure source of food for their family.