Jim Martin is the pastor and director at The Shepherd’s Office in Georgetown.
Every day, we stand on the front lines of despair, poverty, hunger, addiction, homelessness and sleep deprivation. At The Shepherd’s Office, we are committed to providing our homeless and hungry guests the best and healthiest foods we can gather from our caring community. We focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, farm eggs and homemade meals, while avoiding highly processed foods laden with sugar and salt.
Our dedication knows no bounds; we serve the homeless, hungry and lonely in Georgetown every day, including weekends and holidays. Our guests range from adults to children to families. We are increasingly encountering “car dwellers” and “motel moms” — those who may have jobs but lack a permanent place to live.
Each weekday at 4 p.m., we distribute 200-250 free, healthy homemade meals. In 2024 alone, we provided over 65,000 meals and are on track to exceed 100,000 in 2025. We also distribute 200-300 brown bags filled with healthy snacks, baby wipes and water each day, plus offer free family food boxes upon request.
We are grateful to be an approved “food insecurity partner” with the Food Bank of Delaware, and we meticulously count all the meals that we give out each day. Additionally, our building houses a busy food pantry, complemented by an “outdoor” open-access food pantry that operates 24/7. This “no questions asked” outdoor pantry serves as an immediate resource for those in need, allowing anyone to access healthy nourishment without barriers, day or night, as supplies last.
We are passionate about preventing good, healthy food from going to waste. We accept donations from local supermarkets, restaurants, businesses, farms and events, including leftovers from Meals on Wheels. Our three large tables on the front porch are always ready to receive food items and are accessible to people in need around the clock.
Our mission is to provide homemade, healthy, hot meals to anyone in need within the Georgetown area and to foster a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
To illustrate our commitment, I often liken our 24/7 outdoor food pantry to a wormhole in the universe. Just as wormholes allow for instantaneous travel through space and time, our pantry creates a breakthrough in addressing food insecurity. It serves as a direct link for those in need, offering immediate access to nourishment without barriers.
By opening these “food portals,” we aim to eliminate delays and obstacles that prevent individuals from accessing essential resources. In doing so, we aspire to transform lives, ensuring no one has to wait long to meet their basic needs.
Join us in our mission to combat hunger and foster a community where everyone can flourish.
For more updates, follow us at facebook.com/helpinghomeless.
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