Michael T. Williams teams up with local law enforcement volunteers to distribute food through his Shades of Worship ministry food rescue program.
For many of us, the start of a new year is the time to forge a new relationship with food. We fill our fridges and pantries with healthier choices, we commit to diets (starting tomorrow, for sure), and we vow to renew our gym memberships to work off the excesses of the holiday season. For PPMC nurse and recent Penn Medicine CAREs grant winner
Michael T. Williams, LPN, though, healthy eating is not just a yearly resolution, and making mindful choices about food has a far greater impact than the number on the scale.
After surgery, cardiovascular patients receive a visit from Williams. Together, they determine how to integrate nutritious eating and healthier lifestyle choices to prevent further heart issues. Williams does not limit these conversation to patients; through the Germantown Community Enrichment Fitness Network, he talked to senior adults about strategies to maintain healthy eating even on a fixed income, and over the past eight months,he has developed his own food distribution program.
A pastor at Shades of Worship in southern New Jersey, Williams has mobilized his ministry to “rescue” unsold food before it is thrown away. Not only does this minimize the environmental impact of food waste, but it also ensures that food that is still perfectly edible gets off the shelves and into the hands of people who need it in Gloucester and Winslow townships. Every weekend, low income families, students from Camden County College swamped with tuition and housing costs, and other community members facing food insecurity are invited to bring coolers and insulated lunch bags to fill. Williams is also overseeing the construction of a two-story building to house the ministry’s food and clothing distribution programs.
Along with his growing base of enthusiastic volunteers, Williams has been able to strike up collaborative relationships with the owners of local stores and markets, some of which are eager to share the program with fellow franchise operators as the program expands. Every Saturday, he bounces between locations, collecting everything from apples to zucchini (all locally grown) and organic dairy products and grains from MOM’s Organic Market off of 11th and Market streets, frozen chicken fingers and soups and refrigerated salads from Chick-fil-A,and leftover Wawa breakfast sandwiches. A supplier that provides local school cafeterias with baked goods has also become a great source for muffins, rolls, and breads. While some of the available products may not always fit Williams’ vision of providing purely organic foodstuffs, he understands the necessity of taking advantage of the sheer volume of the food that would otherwise be tossed in the garbage.
“If I could have my way, I’d have organic farms everywhere, and everyone would have access to the fruits and vegetables our bodies and our vascular systems need,” Williams said. “The bottom line is that people just need help. They need food, and they need help. Word is spreading like wildfire about this program, so as we continue to grow, I’ll be able to streamline what we distribute. But especially in the winter, giving someone in need a frozen soup from Chick-fil-A and a loaf of bread is just the perfect comfort food.”
In the future, Williams hopes to spread his program to Delaware County and into other southern New Jersey communities. His patients are also encouraging him to offer a delivery service in Philadelphia. As his distribution list grows, he will continue to provide consistent, nutritious meals to all those in need. If you’re interested in participating in this food rescue and distribution program, contact Michael Williams at 215.662.9667 or at michael.williams@uphs.upenn.edu to learn about possible opportunities.
Feeling inspired? You too can make a difference in your local community! Whether you’re already actively volunteering with a local organization, or you have an idea for a new community outreach initiative, Penn Medicine CAREs grant funding is available for projects big and small that address unmet community health and wellness needs. The deadline for the next round of funding is Thursday, March 1, so be sure to visit http://uphsxnet.uphs.upenn.edu/community/ to submit your proposal.