St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Community Meal Teams up with Benicia Community Foundation to Make a Difference!
St. Paul’s is reaching out to you, our community, to ask for help to continue to feed our local families, children, and seniors.
Now in its 27th year, St. Paul’s Community Meal began in 1998, serving just 25 meals weekly. Today, it provides over 560
meals per week, supporting individuals and families facing food insecurity. The program also operates a Food Pantry, which
distributed over 18,000 lbs. (9 tons) of food in 2024 alone. Over 29,000 meals were served last year.
The success of the program is driven by the dedication of over 100 volunteers, including individuals from St. Paul’s, local
churches, service clubs, and other community groups. To help our urgent needs and the program’s long-term sustainability,
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and the Benicia Community Foundation (BCF) have partnered to address the program’s
fundraising and financial challenges. With a decline in support from the Food Bank and rising food costs, the need for
additional funding has become critical. Donations have also decreased over the past several years, making it essential to
raise funds to continue the program.
“We’re proud to collaborate with BCF to address the increasing need for food assistance,” said Donna Marshall, St. Paul’s
Community Meal Coordinator. “The program is about more than providing food—it’s about offering a space for neighbors to
connect, find support, and experience kindness. This partnership allows us to continue our efforts to help those who need
us most.”
David Batchelor, Chair of BCF, echoed the importance of the collaboration: “This partnership reflects the heart of our
community. Together, we can help raise the funds needed to make a significant difference in the lives of those who rely on
the program for food and a sense of hope.”
Together, we have set a fundraising goal of $50,000 to support the program’s ongoing costs, including purchasing
additional food. A generous local family, who has called Benicia home for 60 years, has already approached BCF and
pledged to contribute $15,000, driven by the strong belief that no one, especially young children, should ever go hungry.
For more information or to help our program continue with donations, please visit stpaulsbenicia.org/community-meal or
contact St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at (707) 745-0307
About St. Paul’s Episcopal Church:
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has served the Benicia community since 1855, offering a welcoming spiritual home and
addressing the needs of it’s neighbors through outreach programs including the well-regarded St. Paul’s Community Meal.
About the Benicia Community Foundation:
The Benicia Community Foundation (BCF) is a nonprofit organization focused on strengthening the Benicia community by
investing in the promise of Benicia and connecting people and resources to benefit all who live, work, and play in Benicia.
Now in its 27th year, St. Paul’s Community Meal began in 1998, serving just 25 meals weekly. Today, it provides over 560
meals per week, supporting individuals and families facing food insecurity. The program also operates a Food Pantry, which
distributed over 18,000 lbs. (9 tons) of food in 2024 alone. Over 29,000 meals were served last year.
The success of the program is driven by the dedication of over 100 volunteers, including individuals from St. Paul’s, local
churches, service clubs, and other community groups. To help our urgent needs and the program’s long-term sustainability,
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and the Benicia Community Foundation (BCF) have partnered to address the program’s
fundraising and financial challenges. With a decline in support from the Food Bank and rising food costs, the need for
additional funding has become critical. Donations have also decreased over the past several years, making it essential to
raise funds to continue the program.
“We’re proud to collaborate with BCF to address the increasing need for food assistance,” said Donna Marshall, St. Paul’s
Community Meal Coordinator. “The program is about more than providing food—it’s about offering a space for neighbors to
connect, find support, and experience kindness. This partnership allows us to continue our efforts to help those who need
us most.”
David Batchelor, Chair of BCF, echoed the importance of the collaboration: “This partnership reflects the heart of our
community. Together, we can help raise the funds needed to make a significant difference in the lives of those who rely on
the program for food and a sense of hope.”
Together, we have set a fundraising goal of $50,000 to support the program’s ongoing costs, including purchasing
additional food. A generous local family, who has called Benicia home for 60 years, has already approached BCF and
pledged to contribute $15,000, driven by the strong belief that no one, especially young children, should ever go hungry.
For more information or to help our program continue with donations, please visit stpaulsbenicia.org/community-meal or
contact St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at (707) 745-0307
About St. Paul’s Episcopal Church:
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has served the Benicia community since 1855, offering a welcoming spiritual home and
addressing the needs of it’s neighbors through outreach programs including the well-regarded St. Paul’s Community Meal.
About the Benicia Community Foundation:
The Benicia Community Foundation (BCF) is a nonprofit organization focused on strengthening the Benicia community by
investing in the promise of Benicia and connecting people and resources to benefit all who live, work, and play in Benicia.
