Cheryl Owens / The Meridian StarFeed by Faith Founder Peggy Coleman cooks up chicken and fish to serve at Feed by Faith Friday.

Feed by Faith was founded in 2006 by Peggy Coleman who had the vision to help the less fortunate in Lauderdale County and the surrounding area at no cost. The organization has been in continuous operation for more than 10 years with the help of an all-volunteer staff.

The vision

Coleman said Feed by Faith was a vision that came to her – something God wanted her to do.

“I ignored it for a few months, but it just kept coming back to me,” Coleman said. “One day my nephew who is in the military was visiting me. He said, ‘Aunt Peggy you know who that is? That is God getting your attention. He wants you to do something for the community.’ “

Coleman recalls telling her nephew she didn’t have time – besides she didn’t even like to cook, though she knew how. But, God makes time for you to make time, she said.

The beginning

Once all the paperwork was finished everything else just fell into place, Coleman said. Feed by Faith started feeding people out of the old Montana’s restaurant – where she said they were kind enough to let her use the kitchen.

“I had to buy everything myself when I was down there,” Coleman said. “I even bought extra food and fed the daycare housed there before the building was sold.”

Feed by Faith then moved to an abandoned church on Fifth Street and 40th Avenue.

“A lot of churches pitched in and helped us clean up the basement,” Coleman said. “I struggled the first year because I was buying everything. I even bought the first stove.”

In July 2014, with the help of donations and people working together, Feed by Faith moved into its present location at 3401 Fifth St. The land was purchased from the Baptist Association who according to Coleman sold it to them for half price.

“The pastor, deacons, and members of my home church Northcrest Baptist Church came over and prayed for the land, then they cleaned the property off,” Coleman said. “It was just a run down, wooded area. Now with the generosity of so many people, we have been operating out of a metal building since July 2014.”

The new building was dedicated to Felix Sutphin who was the most influential supporter and advisor to the ministry.

For the calendar year, 2016-2017 Feed by Faith fed over 75,489 hot meals to the hungry and needy people of Meridian. Feed by Faith is supported by donations from individuals, churches, and businesses. Our donations are both monetary gifts and food products to support our endeavor.

“If God wants us to have it he will send it, we just work by faith,” Coleman said. “I don’t have time to advertise – I’m the main cook in the kitchen. We know that God will provide the food when our cupboards are empty.”

Feed by Faith

3401 Fifth St.

Meridian, MS 39307

Mail: PO Box 1064 39302

Email: feedbyfaith@comcast.net

Facebook: www.facebook.com/FeedByFaith08/.

Hours:

Monday – Wednesday – Friday.

Serving time starts at 11:30.