{"id":233987,"date":"2025-05-29T15:54:53","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T15:54:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.freezerministry.org\/?page_id=233987"},"modified":"2025-10-20T16:11:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T16:11:22","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staging.freezerministry.org\/?page_id=233987","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”hero-section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#828282″ background_image=”https:\/\/staging.freezerministry.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-rdne-6646847-scaled.jpg” min_height=”783px” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|” custom_css_free_form=”.hero-section {|| box-shadow: inset 10000px 10000px 10000px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);||}” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”The History of Our Organization” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_text_shadow_style=”preset5″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.8em” background_enable_color=”off” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”|62px||||” custom_padding=”|0px||3px||” text_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”-2em” text_text_shadow_vertical_length=”-2em” text_text_shadow_blur_strength=”2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Founded in 2010, the Freezer Meal Ministry is a community-driven outreach connecting churches, schools, and local groups to support individuals through shared meals. With programs like Garden Gatherers, it now delivers over 130,000 meals and fresh produce annually to those facing food insecurity.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#054028″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Founding” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/staging.freezerministry.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_20250526_120815.jpg” title_text=”IMG_20250526_120815″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”19px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Freezer Meal Ministry, established in 2010, has grown from a small initiative into a vital support and outreach effort involving all BAM churches, ecumenical partners, and local community groups. Originally focused on preparing easy-to-reheat meals for those in need\u2014including the sick, elderly, unemployed, new parents, and the homeless\u2014the ministry has evolved to serve a much broader purpose. It now addresses various needs through food outreach, offering both nourishment and compassionate support to anyone facing hardship.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#054028″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Latest Project” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”19px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Garden Gatherers Program, launched during a February 2023 gathering, has become a cornerstone of the ministry’s outreach. With representation from 17 different churches and organizations, the team has partnered with 11 local elementary and middle schools, including the Bethlehem School District and Holy Infancy Elementary. This year alone, they have hosted nine free produce markets and distributed 120,000 pounds (60 tons) of fresh food to students and their families. By building partnerships with schools and community leaders, the ministry is helping address food insecurity in a sustainable and inclusive way.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/staging.freezerministry.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_3274.jpg” title_text=”IMG_3274″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#054028″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”The Present” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/staging.freezerministry.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/20210113_132539-scaled.jpg” title_text=”20210113_132539″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”19px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

As of 2024, the ministry has significantly expanded, expecting to distribute over 130,000 meals or meal equivalents, thanks in part to the new Garden Gatherers Program. This initiative enhances their original mission by incorporating fresh produce, addressing the lack of access to fruits and vegetables in underserved communities. The 2025 projection estimates over 200,000 meals or equivalents, showcasing impressive growth and increased community impact. The ministry connects directly with more than 3,400 individuals each month, a number that is projected to exceed 5,000 next year.<\/p>\n

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Our Board Members<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Bob Wingrove<\/span><\/p>\n

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Executive Director<\/span><\/p>\n

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Mandi Ortwein<\/span><\/p>\n

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Chair<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Eileen Mera<\/span><\/p>\n

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Secretary<\/span><\/p>\n

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Jack Boyd<\/span><\/p>\n

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Treasurer<\/span><\/p>\n

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