Hello Friends!

Another fabulous guest writer this week - Barbara Jewell is here to share more about this year's "Food from the Bar" fundraiser, benefitting our local food bank.

We had a GREAT weekend at St. Paul's, between TGIFF, our Outdoor Movie, and Sunday worship. Scroll down to see some great photos!

This weekend we'll keep the gatherings going with a concert on Saturday Night, curated and performed (and in some cases, written!) by our very own musicians. Bring a friend who likes good music and good company!

-Rev. Annie


Greetings!

September is Hunger Action month and Food from the Bar, a committee of the Contra Costa County Bar Association, is running a fundraiser to support the Food Bank. I’m asking that you support this virtual fundraiser because the Food Bank provides a substantial amount of food to our Community Meal Program, plus additional fruits and vegetables to the people who come to be fed. Last year our Community Meal served approximately 580 meals per week and distributed 18,000 additional pounds of food. Our program could not exist without the Food Bank, and the need this year is just as great as it was last year! This always shocks me.

Harvard Historian Sven Beckert writes: “We should also face that it is a very immoral and unethical choice to live in one of the richest countries ever in world history and have people not have enough food, have people not able to access health care, to have people live in terrible housing conditions. This is not necessary. We can address these issues based on the enormous wealth that is at our disposal.”

I imagine Jesus would say the same thing. Even as we pay more than ever for our food, perhaps we can recognize that we have more than enough to meet our needs. Many of us are in the position of getting to give, which is a privilege.

The Food Bank can use our financial donations to provide more nutritious meals to people that need them than we ever could. For every $1.00 donated, the Food Bank provides two nutritious meals. That means protein, vegetables, and fruit. Let's come together to make an impact on hunger in our neighborhood. The campaign will end on October 9th!

Barbara Jewell

How to Donate

Donate Online
Support St. Paul’s team directly through the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano’s Food from the Bar campaign:

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE ST. PAUL’S FOOD FROM THE BAR TEAM

Every $1 donated provides two nutritious meals. This year’s campaign goal is to provide 160,000 meals for our neighbors in need.

Donate by Check Make your check payable to Food Bank CCS and note that your donation is for the 2026 Food from the Bar – St. Paul Benicia fundraising drive. Checks may be given to Barbara Jewell for delivery or mailed to:

Food Bank CCS
4010 Nelson Avenue
Concord, CA 94520

Questions? Contact Barbara Jewell at 510-368-5072

Please donate by October 9, 2026.