Historically Anti-LGBTQ+ Organization, Salvation Army, Honors The World’s Largest Progressive Queer Church, Sunshine Cathedral, as “Community Hero”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Monday, March 6, 2023 

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Fort Lauderdale, FL – The local chapter of the Salvation Army honored Sunshine Cathedral at the Salvation Army Appreciation Dinner 2023, held on March 2 at The Salvation Army Corp. Worship Center. The event celebrated the outstanding work of community partners and volunteers, and the Sunshine Cathedral Food Sharing Ministry Team was recognized for their exceptional service to the community. Rev. Dr. Anne Atwell accepted the Community Hero award on behalf of the Sunshine Cathedral Food Sharing Ministry.

Sunshine Cathedral, The World’s Largest Progressive Queer Church physically located in Fort Lauderdale, has been an “invaluable partner” to the local chapter of the Salvation Army for the past two years, providing food bags every month to Salvation Army clients experiencing food insecurity. This partnership was initiated by a community all-call PR request by The Salvation Army; According their representative the Food Ministry Team at the Sunshine Cathedral of the “there was really only one organization who responded…[Sunshine Cathedral].” Sunshine Cathedral has since expanded their services to include the Salvation Army.

The Sunshine Cathedral Food Ministry Team operates a food sharing pantry where those experiencing food insecurity can come every Wednesday from 11 am – ?? (whenever we run out of food – usually by 12:30pm), or by appointment to receive fresh food as well as non-perishable food items. “No questions asked. If you need food, we’re here to support you,” says Rev. Dr. Anne Atwell, head of the Sunshine Cathedral Food Shareing Ministry. No identification or income verification is required, and the team also has a helpline for those who cannot visit the pantry. 

The Sunshine Cathedral Food Sharing Ministry consists of two programs: a Brown Bag Lunch and a Food Pantry. The Brown Bag Lunch Program distributes food bags around the local community to those who are most vulnerable including senior citizens, LGBTQ youth, those living with HIV/AIDS, formerly homeless veterans, and those who are in recovery or are housing insecure. The Food Pantry offers a bag of grocery staples such as soups, tomato sauce, beans, rice, fruits, and vegetables. We also share fresh bread and sweets as well as fresh produce with our clients. 

What makes our outreach unique is that Sunshine Cathedral does not discriminate against anyone. No identification or income verification is required, and the team also has a helpline for those who cannot visit the pantry. The food sharing ministry fed over 30,000 in 2022. 

The Sunshine Cathedral Food Ministry Team accepts food donations from the community, and their efforts have helped bring the community closer together. The Salvation Army Appreciation Dinner 2023 was a special event that recognized the hard work and dedication of organizations like Sunshine Cathedral that make a difference in the lives of those in need.

For more information on the Sunshine Cathedral Food Ministry Team and their services, please call Rev. Dr. Anne Atwell at Anne@SunshineCathedral.org or at 954-462-2004.