By Deidre Montague
For this issue, we will be highlighting the Phillips Metropolitan Church Feed Ministry. Located on 2500 Main Street in Hartford, this ministry started a couple of years ago under the previous pastor, Reverend Jeremy Williams, State Representative Brandon McGee, and Reverend Dr. Dion Watkins. Originally, they partnered with other local churches, Citadel of Love and Mount Olive Church Ministries, with the desire of wanting to feed the community six days a week. Each church rotated preparing a meal for one another to serve. They did this from the end of March to the end of August, feeding over 10,000 people between the three churches.
Through the partnership, the Phillips Feed Ministry continued to grow and was birthed, continuing on its own today – every Wednesday night at 6pm, starting back up in late September 2021. The Ministry feeds about 100-125 community members each week. Recently, they have partnered with The Brooks Token Inc., an organization that helps fire victims with new housing, clothing, games and food. With this new collaboration, the Ministry feeds an additional 20 individuals.
This mighty ministry is led by Emanuel Dillon, with the help of Mattie Hamber and Patricia Tyson, who coordinate the meals each week. Along with the meals, the ministry also works with their health group, as they distribute information about COVID-19, talking about the need for community members to protect themselves and remain healthy.
When asked about the community response to their service, Dillon says that it has been very heartwarming and full of gratitude to the volunteers, and not just for the food they receive.
“So there have been times that we’ve prayed for people in need, as well as [passed out] information for our Bible study and our Sunday service that they can access online. We invite them into the church…we’ve have had quite a few people who have become regulars, especially last summer, where we would pray with and for them.”
Both Dillon and Tyson also shared about the impact that serving within the Feeds Ministry has had on them.
“For me, it’s helped me to get more involved in my church, grow in God. And really have a platform and a voice. Just through volunteering last year [in the three church partnership] and taking lead, assisting and becoming an honorary member at the other churches, it’s helped elevate my relationship with God in another way that I didn’t see…it’s a full circle moment for me,” Dillon said.
“I think for me, it helps. You can be in an area and not realize the need, until you’re out there serving. And when you serve, then you feel how blessed you are. And I think we missed the boat. Sometimes I think people miss the boat. Some people can be critical. You don’t know what [is] going on in [a] household…If they need three or four [plates], we don’t care. Take as many as you need,” Tyson says.
While The Feed Ministry has been blessed with community sponsorships to fund their weekly operation, they encourage people who want to support them to spread the word throughout their neighborhoods to those in need of their service.
“I would say they can share. We do tend to promote on social media. Let people in the community know who are in need, who [may] need prayer [and] want to feel like they have a home in the community that the church is here, the ministry is here. If they want to donate, they can always donate. Donations are nice. We’re always taking donations,” Dillon says.
For more information about the Phillips Feed Ministry, you can contact the Church at 860-246-0049 or access their website https://phillipshartford.org/
