The new facility of Moniteau Christian Ministries Center (MCMC) at 303 Latham Road, California, was a center of activity Sunday, April, 27, with the grand opening, building dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony by the California Area Chamber of Commerce.
In spite of the stormy weather, about 30 were present for the dedication and other scheduled events of the day. A welcome and opening prayer were given by board president Laura Powell. Expressions of gratitude and recognition were presented by Board member Barb Mannering and Michelle Bayer, regional coordinator, Northwest and Central Missouri Food Bank.
The Litany of Dedication was presented by the Rev. Collette Jones and Rev. Frank Hensley, following which a prayer of Thanksgiving was given by Hensley and a blessing was asked by Jones.
MCMC culminates an small startup in 2001, in which California United Methodist Church started a once a month food pantry. In 2002-03 Project Share, a clothing resale shop, took shape as an idea of the Salem and California United Church of Christ members. About the same time, the Food Bank began delivering food once a month though the Mobile Food Pantry.
After years of work, the ministries were merged, followed by the donation of land for construction by Bill and Penny Campbell. Fund raising continues for the next phase of work, paving the parking lot and street.
In 2014, Cargill Cares Food Pantry is open the first, second and third Thursday and Friday of each month from 3 - 5 p.m., and the third Saturday 9 - 11 a.m. Project Share hours are Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Telephone MCMC at 573-796-6262 and Project Share at 573-796-1212.