News by Erin Cady Anyone on a low budget can take what he or she needs; a $2 donation is recommended but not required.

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous News | Send mail to The Voice GAP ministry feeds MBC students in need God Always Provides, a student-run ministry known as GAP, has started up again, providing food for low-income students. Students Jennifer and Aaron Blazis began overseeing the GAP ministry this year. The program is housed in their garage on Pacific Street, where they have two refrigerators and weekly replenish the food. Anyone on a low budget can take what he or she needs; a $2 donation is recommended but not required. The GAP, after a short break this summer, reopened in September. Every Thursday the Blazises open their garage for people to get the food they need. They have a large variety of donated products--everything from fruits, vegetables and salads to bread, pies and juices. Seminary student Michael Lanigan said, "[We] find the GAP a great place to get cookies, whole cakes, and things we would probably not buy with our finances as students." On occasions they have also received shampoo, deodorant and other hygiene items. The food donations are made by Birch Gleaning, a non-profit organization that has been operating in Portland for 10 years. The warehouse in Gresham is set up much like a grocery store, with numerous shelves filled with donated products. Some of the Birch Gleaning contributors are Pacific Seafood, Fred Meyer, Costco Tigard, Franz Bread Outlet, United Salad Co., Portland Rescue Mission, Starbucks Coffee, Gentle Shoe Shop and Papa Murphy's Pizza. "I'm really impressed with the Birch Gleaning ministry," Blazis said. "They provide a large variety of food, and they let us come in and glean after families have gleaned." The Blazises took over the GAP ministry this year when they moved into married housing because the ministry came with the house. "It feels good to meet other people's needs," Blazis said. Over the years the GAP ministry has helped meet the most basic needs of married and single students. "There are times when, as a full-time college student, the bills pile up and you can't afford to buy luxuries," Gene Monnin, a married student, said. "But when it gets to the point when you can't afford to buy the essentials, the GAP relieves a portion of that stress." Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous News | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2002 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.