What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.     James 2:14-17

Faith is alive and active at Beresford Zion United Methodist Church, where they are finding new ways to love boldly as they address very real hunger needs in their community and the surrounding area.

Share and Care, a food distribution ministry of Beresford Zion UMC, is the result of collaboration, community partnerships, and a growing conviction that churches are called to use all their resources—especially their facilities—to love their neighbors in tangible ways.

“If you're fortunate enough to have the resources – the people or the talents or your facility— that you can put on a program like this, what better way to show people that the church is here for more than just one hour on Sunday – that there's a reason why we're Christians,” said Shelby Docken, a member of the congregation who has been a part of this expanding ministry.

Zion UMC has expanded its relationship with Feeding South Dakota, becoming a regional partner equipped to serve individuals and families from Alcester, Beresford, and Hudson, as well as the surrounding communities of Centerville, Canton, Irene, Harrisburg, Viborg, Vermillion, Wakonda, and beyond through the Share and Care ministry.

For the past year, the ministry operated Feeding South Dakota Food Box distributions from the church’s parking lot. But on January 12, after a year of conversation, planning, and partnership, the ministry took the step to use part of their facility for a more permanent location—opening new possibilities for expanded service.

“With this move, we’ve been able to do more than we ever could before,” said Pastor John Schomberg of Beresford Zion UMC.

Now housed inside the church’s west wing, Share and Care offers twice-monthly distributions that include The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and Senior Box Program (also known as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program), which provides eligible seniors with a monthly box of non-perishable food. The Senior Box Program, offered through the South Dakota Department of Education and the USDA, helps older adults access essential nutrients while freeing up limited income for urgent needs like medication and utilities.

Greeters provide a welcoming presence for Share & Care.

The ministry is both a rebirth and a recommitment. It revives a previous feeding ministry and gives the congregation new ownership and purpose.

Schomberg reflected that Beresford Zion has always been a service-oriented church: "We already do so much. But this is something that we have greater ownership over."

A turning point came through the Truckload of Compassion event, which brought together multiple nonprofit and feeding ministries to address hunger and other needs locally. The experience revealed both the scale of need and the power of collaboration, prompting church leaders to lean more fully into hunger ministry as a core expression of their faith.

Today, Share and Care operates much like a small food bank. Two dedicated rooms at the end of the building are used for food storage and distribution. This deeper partnership with Feeding South Dakota allows the ministry to provide more food options—including fresh produce—than would otherwise be possible.

Just as important as what is offered is how it is offered.

The ministry is intentionally designed to create a welcoming, dignified experience for every visitor. A greeter outside helps direct guests into the building, where a second greeter answers questions and assists with registration. After checking in—tracking information required by Feeding South Dakota along with ministry-specific data—participants receive bags and move through a large room with tables of food. Limits are clearly marked, but individuals are free to choose items that best meet their household’s needs. Volunteers are also available to help carry groceries to vehicles.

Approximately 15 volunteers serve during each distribution.

“Essentially, we’re like a mini food bank for Feeding South Dakota,” said Schomberg.

Share and Care is held on the second and fourth Monday of each month. On its inaugural indoor distribution day, the impact was immediately clear: 83 families served, including 111 adults, 57 children, and 45 seniors—for a total of 213 people. In addition, 17 Senior Boxes and 10 TEFAP boxes were distributed. All are welcome to receive food provided by Feeding South Dakota, regardless of income.

“What’s been exciting is that it’s a ministry outside the walls of our church,” said Docken. “It’s about the people we’re reaching in the community.”

Volunteers from the church and community provide service and relationship.

While Beresford Zion hosts and leads Share and Care, the ministry is intentionally ecumenical and collaborative with other community members and organizations. Volunteers come not only from the congregation but from across the community—bringing experience, commitment, and a shared desire to serve.

“It’s helpful to have people who already have experience so you’re not trying to figure out everything on your own,” said Docken.

Equally important, Docken says, is keeping the ministry's purpose front and center.

“In today’s society, everybody has struggles they’re dealing with,” he said. “We need to keep an open mind and not be judgmental. We’re not walking in their shoes. We just get to build relationships and let people know we’re here to help—whatever that looks like.”

Docken acknowledged that some situations may be open to misuse, but reiterated that judgment is not the ministry’s role.

When reflecting on how this outreach to the community has grown, Docken recalls the mission statement shared during the campaign for the new church building over 20 years ago: "Open hearts, open minds, open doors." This vision shaped conversations and questions about how the facility might be used for mission and ministry beyond just Sunday worship or Wednesday activities.

He sees Share and Care as a faithful response to that question.

“That’s what we’re called to do—‘feed my sheep,’” Docken said. “And the sheep out there don’t necessarily have to be within your flock.”

“What is the purpose of having a facility and a church within a community if it's not to do that?” he added.

According to Feeding South Dakota, Beresford Zion is part of a growing network of churches helping to address hunger statewide. Olivia Sip, communications specialist for Feeding South Dakota, notes that churches can partner in many ways, including backpack programs for students, church pantries, meal sites, mobile distributions, food drives, and volunteer support.

“With over 113,000 South Dakotans facing hunger—impacting one in eight people and one in five children—community and church partnerships are a critical part of our mission,” Sip shared.

Share and Care is more than a program; it is Beresford Zion UMC's core expression of living faith. By opening their doors and reimagining their space for service, the congregation demonstrates that true ministry is where love meets need.

The story of Beresford Zion UMC offers an invitation to churches throughout the Dakotas: to reconsider their resources, listen to their communities, and explore how open doors, hearts, and tables can further their ministry.

For information about how your church can partner with Feeding America, contact Feeding South Dakota or Great Plains Food Bank in North Dakota.