It is with a very heavy heart that I must announce that the Good Samaritan Missionary Baptist Church (GSMBC) Food Programs closed on Tuesday, Aug. 31.

This church has had a rich history of serving the community and the surrounding vicinity for over 40 years.  Mr. and Mrs. Roger Rigsby, members of the church, began serving meals from their home to those in need.

Dr. M.D. Slade and the late Mrs. Viola Rigsby combined their efforts and started the GSMBC Food Pantry and the USDSA food distribution programs.  Throughout the years this pantry has been a constant source of assistance; providing clothing, food and community holiday meals to everyone.

Dr. M.D. Slade has always been a prominent part of the Vallejo community as well as the North Bay Ministers Union as a senior pastor. He is still always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone or offer his words of wisdom and guidance.

I believe God has anointed me to serve, and I welcomed the responsibility of running both programs in 2016. With much prayer and Pastor Slade’s encouragement, I started by applying for an Enhancement Grant from the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano and through God’s grace we have not looked back.

As the needs of those we serve grew, so did the pantry.  We applied for the Solano County Funding Grant and was awarded $10,000 which allowed us to prepare for the COVID-19 restrictions. We remained open during the entire pandemic and served an additional 8,000 more clients than the previous year.

We are also members of the Feeding America Network and Meal Connect which provided amazing donations from Costco Vallejo and Safeway in Glen Cove.

Lastly, (I thank) the volunteers who have consistently supported these programs.  I, personally, have been truly blessed by you!!!

Last year we served over 21,000 that were in need.

Dr. M.D. Slade retired as pastor of GSMBC in December 2021 after over 40 years of faithful service to the church and the community.  The church membership did not initiate this action! They truly believe the program is needed.

The church leaders, members of the board, have decided to “pause” the programs, with the approval of the new incoming Pastor Anthony Briscoe.

When and if the board decides to reopen, they must reapply and find someone to train and certify the program. The board is confident that they can make it better and welcome the change.  The USDA program is …scrambling to find another site.

My heart goes out specifically to the senior and handicapped population that are in close proximity to the church location. We are surrounded by 4 senior housing complexes, as well at least 2 low-income housing complexes.

I feel so helpless now, but God is still in control.  He continues to make a way.  I have a tentative offer for a site in the vicinity and a definite home under another umbrella to work that shares the vision of serving and welcomes me.

Praise God that my efforts have not been in vain or gone unnoticed.  I will continue to serve, however at another location.

The Vallejo Post’s coverage of local news in Solano County is supported by the Ethnic Media Sustainability Initiative, a program created by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services to support community newspapers across California.

Isabelle Price

Posts by Isabelle Price