Food outreach helps meet needs
Clients say this church’s drive-through program gives them something to eat, which sometimes allows them to pay other bills.
Norma McDowell, a volunteer, loads food into a car on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the weekly Ignite Ministries food distribution outreach on the church’s grounds at 7173 SW State Road 200 Ocala. Typically, about 150 cars, some representing multiple families, are loaded with boxes containing fresh and nonperishable goods. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
Korean War-era veteran Jim Boland is still serving others.
Boland, 92, was one of at least two dozen Ignite Ministries volunteers who gathered on March 13 to sort and distribute food at a weekly drive-through outreach that is part of the church’s Feeding His Sheep ministry.
“I was moved by the Holy Spirit,” said Boland.
The food distribution is held on the Ignite Ministries church grounds at 7173 SW State Road 200. As many as 150 cars, some representing multiple families, typically pass through the distribution area, where volunteers load the vehicles with fresh foods including meat, vegetables, baked goods and desserts, and other items like boxes of crackers.
Ignite Ministries pastor Dave Ingram greets a driver at the food distribution outreach. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
Judy Thompson is the director of the three-part Feeding His Sheep ministry. She started the food outreach at another church and bought the operation to Ignite Ministries about two years ago. Through the Senior (Food) Box program, headed by Thompson’s senior assistant, Erika Hage, more than 100 boxes are given out monthly. The third outreach provides toiletries and personal care items for the homeless.
“There’s a need in the community and prices in the stores keep rising,” Thompson said.
Volunteer Luis Lopez loads a watermelon into a waiting vehicle. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
“If you show up, you get food,” she said.
A number of drivers visiting the outreach last week gave testimony to the need. The driver of the lead car in line said he had arrived several hours earlier and that getting food at the outreach allowed him to pay other bills.
“My disability check only goes so far,” said a second driver.
Another driver called the food distribution outreach “amazing” and said she could use food budget money saved toward utilities and other household expenses. “They help so many, and they are always here,” she said.
Ignite Ministries pastor Dave Ingram greeted the drivers. He was joined by his son, Josiah, one of the volunteers, who are all there to share a smile and words of encouragement as they load the vehicles.
Natividad Lopez, Rose Gibson, Milton and Norma McDowell and Bennie Vargas kept busy shuttling food from boxes and carts to the passing vehicles. Jordan, 12, in a mentorship program with the church, also pitched in with the distribution. Liz Longfellow commented on seeing the “smiles on the faces” of the drivers and how the drivers “really appreciate” the food. Luis Lopez cheerfully loaded heavy watermelons into vehicle after vehicle.
“It feels good,” Natividad Lopez said.
Volunteer Andre Melendez starts at 4 a.m. on distribution days, organizing food and shuttling material from storage to the distribution location.
“I love it,” Melendez said of the work.
Meylin Smith, a representative of Care Plus, which supports the food distribution ministry, was on hand for the recent session, along with the church’s senior pastor, Joshua Sarmiento.
“Heart, hands and feet of Jesus; these volunteers…are doing the work of the Lord,” Sarmiento said.
Volunteers are always needed for the outreach. To learn more, call Thompson at (352) 875-0214. For more information about Ignite Ministries, go to igniteocala.com
Judy Thompson, organizer of the Feed His Sheep outreach, with granddaughter Jasmine Bradford, 3, joins other volunteers in prayer. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
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