When Pam Rady left her inner-city neighborhood at the age of 21, she thought she’d never be back. 

“I was bitter, because I’ve been through a lot.”

Decades later, when her son became a pastor in Shepherd’s community, Pam became a believer, and God began to change her heart for people still locked in poverty. She volunteered in Shepherd’s food pantry, and soon took over managing the pantry along with serving as a mentor in our addiction recovery group. 

“People out here need help, and they need God.”

As the head of Shepherd’s food pantry, Pam sees first-hand how God provides for critical needs. With so many neighbors struggling to feed their families, it can be difficult to keep the pantry stocked. Shepherd’s food pantry relies on donations from businesses, organizations, churches, and individuals to distribute approximately 35,000 meals per year.

“God knows what we need, and provides it: donations from people, from churches…I can see God moving to provide food for families in the neighborhood that are in desperate need.”

Pam lives in the neighborhood now and is known throughout the community for her willingness to listen and her servant’s heart. From building relationships with people that come to the pantry to walking with women in recovery to helping neighbors get to the doctor when they don’t have a vehicle of their own, Pam pours into the neighborhood, but she’s the first to tell you that the blessing runs both ways.

“I think God drew me here. He knows I can serve him here. This is my work for God, and I’m just so happy to do it.”

You can help Shepherd feed the hungry through your time, gifts, and donations. Together, we’re breaking the cycle of poverty in Indianapolis.