Review

by Lisa Hezmalhalch

"I know many people need the GAP, and I'm frustrated to see the school toss this kind of ministry aside."

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'God Always Provides'
Food Ministry to Close

William King stocks Jesse Everett's garage with food from Birch Community Services every Wednesday night for student ministry credit.
--Lisa Hezmalhalch, photo

After years of providing Multnomah Bible College and Seminary students and their surrounding community with food at extremely low prices, the God Always Provides house, simply known as the GAP, is closing. Lack of department sponsorship and increasing costs have forced the ministry to call it quits.

The GAP runs on the donations left by those who come to glean. Previously this was enough. But according to Jesse Everett, who with his wife Frankie have run the GAP since December 2005, that money hasn't always covered the monthly fee for the food because of a decline in usage and perhaps dishonesty on the part of some of the gleaners.

Jesse and Frankie Everett brought the request for more funds to upgrade refrigeration and help with maintenance to Academic Dean Dr. Wayne Strickland, who had been funding their weekly gas expenses out of his budget.

But Dr. Strickland couldn't contribute anymore due to a limited budget and because the GAP doesn't fall under the academic program's mission. So Dr. Strickland approached Dean Kelly Fried to see if there is room for the GAP under the Student Service's mission and budget.

Dean Fried didn't feel the GAP fit their department either, so the question was posed to student government (Stugo) who also declined the sponsor position for the GAP.

The Student Services department, Dr. Strickland, and Professor Carley Wecks, adviser for the Student Wives fellowship who originally ran the GAP, voted that there was no longer a place for the ministry at MBC.

Dr. Strickland was sad about the decision and said, "Obviously it's having an impact on some students."

Jesse Everett said, "I know many people need the GAP, and I'm frustrated to see the school toss this kind of ministry aside."

But Everett is also relieved. "It's frustrating trying to recruit people to volunteer," Everett said. "It will be nice to not have that pressure."

During Christmas break the Everetts' help dwindled, and they had to close for a few weeks. "As soon as the single students left we didn't have any volunteers," Everett said.

Because of the pressure to find secure help, the Everetts moved the date of the GAP closure from June 30 to May 11, 2007.

Some of those involved in closing the GAP are putting together a referral program for desperate single students and students with families whose cupboards will be bare after the GAP closes. More information about how to access the program will be available by June in the Gentle Spirit: the student wives fellowship newsletter, and the Multnomah College Digest.

The GAP house is located on Pacific Street and is open Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Perishable food such as milk based products, vegetables, fruit and bread is provided for a flat donation of $3.

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