GAP Serves the Community – Church on Pearl

By Simone Stewart 

The pantry at the Church on Pearl in Santa Monica, runs every Wednesday afternoon from 2:30 to 5:30pm. They provide a service to people in need of food in the Los Angeles community. They offer fresh produce, canned goods, dairy and poultry. There have been many students at GAP that have taken an interest in working at the pantry. It truly symbolizes how a community can come together and help individuals and families who need assistance. The individuals and families come in, give their name and zip code and can then collect the food they need. They can receive a bag of fresh fruits and vegetables, a bag of canned and boxed food. They then get to choose the other products they may be available ranging from diapers to snacks and toys for their children.

The GAP students are given an array of assignments. They can help in the back putting together bags of produce. They also help set up the area for the customer to come and receive what they need. Most importantly, they come in with a smile on their faces and the drive to want to give back to the community. They are so willing to put in the hard work to make the panty function as smoothly as possible and create a bond between the GAP program and others in need.