Church in Albion welcomes people to give or take food at outdoor cabinet

Photo by Tom Rivers: Jason Tarnowski, pastor of the Albion Free Methodist Church, stands by an outdoor cabinet that has food for the community. People are welcome to take and leave food.

ALBION – The Albion Free Methodist Church started a new ministry last month where people are welcome to take or leave food in an outdoor cabinet by the entrance of the church at 25 South Platt St.

Church members Rick and Kim Holz came up with the idea to have the cabinet outside, and Mr. Holz constructed the wooden frame for the display.

Jason Tarnowski, pastor of the church since October 2021, said the food is available to anyone in the community. The church calls the cabinet the “Community of Hope Food Ministry.”

He said people from outside the church have been contributed food to the cabinet, including the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries. That church partnered with Arnold’s Auto Parts to stock an outdoor refrigerator with food at Arnold’s on West Bank Street. That refrigerator has been supplied with food since last March.

Tarnowski asks the attendees at the Free Methodist Church to bring non-perishable food on Sundays for the cabinet, or when they attend meetings mid-week.

The Free Methodist Church was founded in Albion in 1859 and is the oldest church in the denomination. Tarnowski said the congregation is committed to being relevant and serving the community.