Heaven's Grocer

Going Strong!

2011-05-18T12:36:00.000-07:00

During the past year, Heaven’s Grocer has continued “serving needs in our own backyard” by means of our regularly scheduled food deliveries. Three days a week, we deliver foods contributed by Christian Help and Fresh Start to needy families, seniors and disabled persons in Winter Park and the surrounding community.

In January, Pastor Dave’s wife Rachel created our new “Bowl of Living Food” logo and service motto. Together, they have since become the colorful signage on the delivery van, which, when not in use, is parked at the Oaks Apartments on Denning Drive @ Webster. Otherwise we are be seen on the streets of Winter Park community as we make our deliveries!

Early last year, Pastor Dave’s dad, Jackson, became our regularly scheduled van driver. He has since taken on vehicle maintenance and some other food ministry administrative work.

On February 15th, our food ministry was incorporated as Heaven’s Grocer Ministries, Inc. a nonprofit Florida corporation. It has since applied for its IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. We should receive the IRS’ tax exempt status letter of determination in about 120 days. In the meantime Heaven’s Grocer will continue to operate as an charitable activity of the Church of the Resurrection and accordingly, to accept charitable contributions under the Church’s status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

Late last year, we reassessed our mission and decided that we could receive and distribute greater amounts of food by delivering to an additional Winter Park church benevolence pantry and a Winter Park low income assisted living facility. They, in turn, have begun to pass on their surplus food stores to others in need. Miraculously, as we began to make these additional deliveries, the amount of food we received began to increase. A year ago our suppliers typical gave us 20 to 45 boxes of food at each pick-up. Now we pick up 45 to 75 boxes each day! We continue to express our clients’ gratitude for these additional supplies, and assure our suppliers that every bit of their food will be joyously received and eagerly used. With that, we seem to receive even more, and an even greater variety of high quality foods. We estimate that, in the past year, the average amount of food we deliver weekly has increased from less than 1000 pounds to more than 2000 pounds! Our suppliers are even beginning to ask us to make unscheduled pick-ups. We do so eagerly and joyously.

The Mary Martha Study Group of the First United Methodist Church continues to support our food ministry by supplying much needed household supplies and toiletries to our clients. The Oaks Apartments (where I live) has been the site of welcomed Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. Many of our needy children have received their Christmas gifts because of these generous ladies. We are all blessed by their benevolence and spirited support.

Blessed Summer!

2010-08-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

Dear friends and supporters of Heaven’s Grocer,

I hope everyone's summer has been richly blessed! We have had a lot of exciting and divine things take place. In June we added “The United Church of God by Faith” as a new partner in providing food to the Winter Park community. With many blessings from Pastor Alvin, we will be assisting them in providing food for 25 to 30 families (approximately 150 people) in the area! A special thanks to the wonderful ladies from the Mary Martha Bible study class at the First United Methodist of Winter Park for their $100 donation! The donation will be used for our food pantry closet that supplies toiletries and paper goods at the Oaks Apartments in Winter Park! Thank you so much ladies!

The first few weeks of July have been very eventful and exciting as well! Heaven’s Grocer received a $7,500 grant from the Galloway Foundation. We would like to graciously thank them for their donation and ongoing support! Praise God!

Heaven’s Grocer has also received a request from Berea Haitian Mission Church, a First United Methodist Church, in order to assist them in serving their community. We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with them! May the Lord truly use us as his servant.

Rev. J. Dyer

Special Thanks to Edyth Bush Foundation!

2010-05-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

Many blessings to the friends and supporters of Heaven’s Grocer,

The last few weeks, have been exciting times for Heaven’s Grocer. On May 7 we had our first public fundraiser at the home of David & Rachel McDaniel. With the support of The Church of the Resurrection and Tony Smith the chef, we had a tremendously successful event. Not only did Heaven’s Grocer receive a grant from the Edyth Bush Foundation; we also raised enough money from individual contributors to fund almost 6 months of operations. This event allows us to serve more individuals and families in and near Winter Park.

We would like to send a special thanks to Gwen Wilburn, of Winter Park who graciously donated 120 pounds of citrus fruit! It was distributed in less than two hours! Thank you so much! We also had a much needed flat screen computer monitor donated from Susan Varner.

Thank you for all your prayers and support,
Deacon Jay

Thanks!

2010-04-08T11:16:00.001-07:00

Dear friends and supporters of Heaven’s Grocer,

I hope all is well with everyone. Over the last few months we have had quite a few blessings occur. In November and February we special events for the residents of The Oaks organized and provided by First United Methodist Church of Winter Park. The photo above is of the volunteers who organized one of the events. We have new partners that assist us in providing food. Many of the people we serve are now benefiting from Angel Food Network. https://www.angelfoodministries.com/

Finally, a special thanks to the Society of St Dismas has graciously donated $500 to Heaven’s Grocer! The Society of St Dismas specializes in prison and drug treatment ministries in the Charismatic Episcopal Church (CEC). Heaven’s Grocer often assists the families of inmates and recently released offenders.

On behalf of Heaven’s Grocer thank you!!
Deacon Jay

Blessings after blessings!

2009-11-17T14:11:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends and Supporters of Heaven’s Grocer,

These last few months have been challenging and exciting all rolled into one! Along with the blessing of being a servant, the ministry has been blessed with many grants over the last several months. As you may well know we received the grant from the Galloway Foundation to purchase a cargo van. In addition to this we received grants from The First United Methodist Church of Winter Park, the Kiwanis Club and All Saints Episcopal Church of Winter Park! Thank you for all your support in helping us bless the needy in our area. With your help can bring hope through serving physical needs and by bring the Spirit of Christ in everything we do!

Soon after we purchased the cargo van, I found a used wheelchair lift at a store I use to repair my wheelchairs. They agreed to install the lift for a price that made it affordable to the ministry. The lift will allow me to bring my power chair when we deliver food and give me better access to the people we serve. This lift will revolutionize how I do my job! Thank you!

On September 29, 2009 First United Methodist Church a hot dog, hamburger in chili cookout at the Oaks Apartments it was a blast and a huge success! I would like to also thank Betsy for all her help and support.

Your Servant
Deacon Jay Dyer

Heaven's Grocer purchased a Cargo Van!!

2009-10-26T07:09:00.000-07:00

Late this summer Heaven's Grocer received a grant from the Galloway Foundation to purchase a cargo van. Late last week we bought a low mileage Ford E-250 van! This new van will easily transport 4-5 times a much food as in the past... To further affirm the Lord's blessing, last Friday we received more than double the normal amount of food! The attached photo is of Tony (Dn. Jay took the picture) picking up food at Christian Help.

We are very grateful to the Galloway Foundation and all those who assisted us in the process of purchasing this vehicle. This van will radically add to Heaven’s Grocers ability to serve the disabled and needy of our community.

Dave+

Deacon Jay got a new power chair!

2009-07-05T04:24:00.000-07:00

I bring great news! As some of you know, a few months ago Deacon Jay's power wheelchair broke down and was found to be un-repairable. Unfortunately, Medicaid will not purchase a new chair for another 18 months. Because Jay is so active and goes relatively long distances in his power chair, they wear out faster than the government expects they should. Without a power chair Deacon Jay's life is considerably more difficult. But, the Lord had a different plan! We have a friend who is a chaplain at a retirement home in South Orlando. He was able to have a lightly used power chair donated to the ministry... Jay is currently in Alabama visiting his family. He will be blessed with a new chair when he arrives home. Many thanks to Fr. Doc and the Spring Hills retirement home!

Dave+

More Need in Winter Park....

2009-06-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Dear friends and supporters of Heaven’s Grocer,

Many blessing to everyone, God is working mightily in so many ways. We recently received the opportunity to serve a new community in Winter Park. The Meadows is a low income family oriented apartment with two hundred and fifty residents, of which over half are children. We have just added 10 families to the list of people served by Heaven’s Grocer! And growing as the word gets around. We also have two new volunteers Eva and Carrie both who live in The Meadows, thank you so much Ladies!

We are also very encouraged by the doors God is opening for funding sources… More later.

Your servant,
Deacon Jay Dyer

Crisis! What Crisis?

2009-05-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

In December one of our supporters sent this request to most of the emails in his business and personal address book, over 500 people....

"Here is the problem; because of the economic crisis many food banks have been flooded with needy people and are no longer able to supply the quantity of food needed by the people we serve. Today we need money to buy food so the people we serve can once again receive the essential supplement to their food needs. If you contribute, all the money will be used to purchase bulk food (primarily non-perishables) or gift cards for grocery stores to provide for our regular food recipients. All contributions are tax deductable. If you are local to the Orlando area, we will accept canned goods, pasta, rice and other non-perishables."

I was thrilled with the response. From this email we received over $2,500 which has been used to purchase food and direct benevolence to poor and needy families. We still have a problem with the quantities of food we have been receiving. We simply need more food.

Last month we received a $3,000 grant from a large Church in Winter Park. These funds will be used primarily to pay for the vehicle expenses and for the wages for the drivers. We are very grateful for their contribution. The need is great, but our source is infinite! Please consider partnering with Heaven's Grocer to serve the poor of our area.

Blessings,
Deacon Jay

Huge need in our own back yard!

2009-05-21T06:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and supporters of Heaven's Grocer,

We have an update on God's blessing for us, for the last two and a half years Heaven's Grocer has had the blessing of making food available for 145 individuals and families. Recently, we have been given the opportunity to serve 250 more in an apartment complex in Winter Park, Florida. RIGHT IN OUR OWN BACK YARD! Please pray that we not only are able to find a source to provide food, but to bring His Love and Joy along with food. We need your heart felt prayers and if the Lord leads anyone to help financially your contribution toward this need would be appreciated.

I pray you have a blessed day!

Deacon Jay

Update on communities served

2007-10-02T11:42:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to announce that we have expanded our food deliveries to include the Orlando Children's Church and Harbor House.

The Orlando Children's Church is a ministry to approximately 350 inner city youth; we assist them with food and clothing. Check out their website.

Harbor House is an Orange County Crises Center for Domestic Violence against Women and Children: We currently provide food for 90 women and children at the Harbor House; we currently make two food deliveries twice a week.

Needs

2007-03-28T09:10:00.000-07:00

We are in need of a truck refrigerator (or even a refrigerated truck) for Christian Help.

Also, if you would like to assist on future food drops – contact us by phone or e-mail! It’s a lot of fun!

Communities being reached

2007-03-14T11:54:00.001-07:00

We are currently delivering to the following disabled communities: The Oaks Apts, The Meadows Apts and College Park Tower. We will soon be delivering to Citrus Garden Apts and are actively seeking additional places to serve.