Local pastor’s food pantry ministry grows significantly

Tucked away off the beaten path in Osceola is a ministry at work, full force. One can see a a crowd lining up along the sidewalk every Tuesday at the door of Osceola Full Gospel Church on Colorado Street.

When Pastor Pete Sheesley and his wife Patricia opened up a food pantry in the basement of their home they served about 10 families. Through word of mouth, the operation quickly outgrew his basement, and Sheesley had to move the pantry into the church.

Now each week and the couple and volunteers serve more than 90 families or about 227 people.

“The pantry has grown tremendously,” said Sheesley. “I’m happy to help people, but I didn’t know it was going to grow into what it has.”

The Sheesley’s started the pantry two and a half years ago after praying about a way to reach out to the community through the Lord, Sheesley said.

Each week, people are lined up in a long line at the door. Seeing those people standing there even in the bitter cold is a sign that the ministry is needed, said Sheesley. When budgets are tight, one of the first thing that gets cut is the food budget, he said.

• To read more of this article, see the Feb. 24 edition of the Sentinel.