The Fill the Table Podcast

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Brittany Jackson. She is the Florida Annual Conference Communicator. We go into the importance of quality communication for churches especially when telling stories! If you are interested in reach out to Brittany, her email is [email protected].

In this episode, we talk with Rev. Latricia Scriven. She is the past at New Life UMC in Tallahassee and Pastor at FAMU Wesley Foundation. She talks to us about New Life's new community garden, inspiring new ways of envisioning worship, and pastoring college students that face food insecurity. You will love this inspiring episode! 

In this episode, Emily is joined by Meghan Fiveash, Fresh Access Bucks Communications Coordinator, and Heather Henderson, Fresh Access Bucks South Florida Coordinator. Fresh Access Bucks is a USDA funded statewide nutrition incentive program that increases the purchasing power of SNAP recipients to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, produce stands, CSAs, mobile markets, and community grocery outlets. We dive into the details of this initiative and how this benefits both the recipients of SNAP and the local farmers in Florida. If you want to learn more about Fresh Access Bucks, visit their website - https://www.feedingflorida.org/food-access/fresh-access-bucks 

In this episode, we have a conversation with Pastor Theo Jackson, Charisse Walker-Jackson, Veronica Aikens, and Felicia Modeste about how these individuals were able to come together to start a feeding ministry at Bear Lake UMC in Apopka, FL. They are partnering with Feeding America and Second Harvest Food Bank to give out food in their community. You will love this episode! If you are interested in reaching out to Bear Lake UMC to help support their work, email [email protected]. 

In this episode, we hear from Pastor Kipp Nelson. He serves at First Church in Downtown Miami where they serve the unhoused community five days a week at The Breakfast Club ministry. Pastor Kipp goes into so many insightful ways to think about serving the homeless. It is truly a thought provoking episode! 

In this episode, we sit down with the pastor at First UMC of Sebring to talk about feeding and response ministries. We are reminded about how important partnerships are to increasing our ability to serve even during this pandemic. 

In this episode, we get to hear from Alejandra Salemi. She's a young adult from the Florida Annual Conference that currently studying at Harvard Divinity School. This conversation gives a great overview at some of the key areas and systemic issues that we deal with when we talk about food justice, and serving those in our community that experience food insecurity and food injustice. If you would like to learn more about Fill the Table, check out our website - www.fillthetableflorida.org. 

In this episode, Rev. Sharon Surrency shares about her ministry at the Hawthorne Area Resource Center in Hawthorne, FL. We learn that so much of life in rural communities can be extremely difficult especially in times of crisis. The Hawthorne Area Resource Center runs a robust food pantry that is able to feed hundreds of families every week through a network of local community partnerships. Listen as we learn from Rev. Surrency in this important episode of the Fill the Table Video/Podcast that touches on why food pantries are so important for our communities health. Email Rev. Surrency at [email protected] to learn more about how to get involved. 

In this episode, we get the chance to hear about the community garden growing at Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Naples, FL. Rev. Roy Terry, pastor of Cornerstone, introduces us to the master gardeners, David and Jan Etzel. As they sit in the garden, they share with us about how the garden goes beyond just feeding children, families, and the migrant farm workers in South Florida. The garden has become a places that brings people together, nourishes body and soul, and transforms lives in their community. If you have any questions about gardening in Florida email: [email protected].  Want to give to Fill the Table? Visiting our website - www.fillthetableflorida.org 

Today we hear from Ruth Mageria.  Ruth is the Executive Director of CROS ministries. For 43 years, CROS Ministries has been a constant presence in the community, “standing in the gap” for our hungry neighbors in Palm Beach and Martin Counties. Our mission is to serve the hungry in Palm Beach and Martin Counties through community collaborations. We use the talents of an incredible volunteer force to help families and individuals from falling into the downward spiral of poverty, food insecurity, and, in many cases, homelessness. Hear from Ruth as she dives into how to bring people together to serve the community by partnering with other non-profits, churches or the government. 

On this episode of the Fill the Table Podcast, Rev. Sean Peters gives us great inspiration on how to use community collaborations to serve even during a pandemic. Rev. Peters, the Pastor of Mosaic United Methodist Church in Palm Bay, Florida, share about the unique community of Palm Bay, and how Mosaic is a new church start passionate and called to serve this community.  To learn more about Fill the Table, visit www.fillthetableflorida.org. 

Molly McEntire and Emily Autry are the coordinator's for the Fill the Table Bishop Initiative in the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Fill the Table was started in July of 2020 as an initiative ​created to help combat increasing hunger in the state of Florida due to COVID-19. Our goal with this podcast is to engage, equip, and encourage you to join our effort to feed our neighbors here in Florida. ​Join us here as we have conversations with inspiring leaders who aim to #FillTheTable to fight food insecurity through a lens of justice & mercy.