GLORY STAND'S START
A testimony by Tecla Warren
God, first overall! This food ministry is Gods ministry! The History of Glory Stand is truly His story, His Glory.
I woke up one Monday morning at the end of January 2021 with a word from God to make much soup and feed the homeless. I gathered all that was needed, a willing friend, along with much blind faith. Obediently out the door, we went on February 2, 2021. We told all that we fed, Jesus loved them, blessed them, and prayed with and for them. All while driving up and down freeway ramps, downtown, any area the homeless were.
Along the way, I met many like-minded Christians, and food was coming in faster than I could give it away. At this point, we not only made hot meals, but we had also started to bless other small ministries with food to give away. In August, we began receiving food from One in the Spirit ministry in Pierce County. In October, we began receiving food from God's Portion in Lewis County. In March of 2022, we began receiving food from Gethsemane ministry in Mason County. We have always donated to these ministries in obedience for advancing God’s Kingdom. At this point, I would drive 186 miles a week gathering food.
God provided so much food in August 2022 that we put a free produce stand in our front yard. Glory Stand. October 2022 One in the Spirit ministry began delivering a truckload of food every week. In January 2023, it was twice a week. I now only drive about 40 miles a week gathering food. We now have 6 to 9 ministries picking up food twice a week. Touching 1000 to 1500 souls. Some are church pantries, some are homeless, some are retirement complexes, and they are all done for God in obedience.
I am extremely excited to see what God does next! Our God is an amazing God! Jesus loves you!
WHERE WE ARE NOW
We're learning and growing.
Glory Stand is a registered 501(c)3 and Washington state non-profit organization, led by a dedicated volunteer board. Our leadership team—many of whom are retired—brings a wealth of experience from various fields, including facility maintenance, military service, construction, transportation, retail sales, administration and nonprofit development professions. Our executive director, Tecla Warren, has had a career in commercial food management.
To combat food waste and hunger, we have established strong partnerships with agencies across the Puget Sound region to rescue surplus food that might otherwise spoil or end up in landfills. Each week, we receive or pick up at least two box truckloads of surplus foods from agencies in and around Thurston County and as far as SeaTac. Our volunteers work tirelessly to secure vehicles—whether borrowed or rented—to ensure no pickup is missed.
Once collected, the surplus food is delivered to our temporary operations site in Tumwater, where it is inspected, sorted, and then prepared for distribution. Every pickup is unique, offering a variety of donations—from pallets of onions, potatoes, broccoli, and tomatoes to bins filled with miscellaneous foods, bread, pastries, and dry goods. Our capable and resourceful volunteers adapt their processing strategies to efficiently manage the assortment of donated items. In fact, the majority of food is distributed within just four hours of delivery.
After inspection and sorting, foods are distributed to organizations and ministries in our community. These include:
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Churches
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Retirement homes
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Homeless shelters
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Local food banks
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Community supported "pop-up" distribution events
Food items that are no longer consumable are donated to local livestock farmers or composted to support sustainable practices.
Glory Stand exists because of the dedication, skills, and servant hearts of our 58 volunteers—they give their time and talents as an offering of love to others.
We believe that food is more than sustenance; it is a blessing and a tangible expression of God’s provision. Every donation we receive, every box we load, every neighbor we serve is part of a greater mission—sharing the love of Christ through action.
OUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
We've been called to do big things.
Currently, we serve ten ministries and multiple informal community groups that bring food to locations where there is not easy access to food banks- such as low-income apartment complexes where many residents are disabled. While we are at capacity in the number of community groups and ministries we serve, we have plans to grow-allowing us to provide for more than the 1,000+ people we feed each week.
Every day approximately 100 people visit to volunteer or pick up food. Our temporary operations location has experienced a lot of wear and tear. While we are actively working to restore the grounds and make improvements to increase our capabilities and safety, we will soon outgrow it.
We have started our search for a permanent, more easily accessible facility that can better accommodate cargo truck deliveries, has increased dry and cold storage space, and will allow us to safely welcome the general public to receive donated foods.
We also plan to lease or purchase cargo vehicles, upgrade storage and moving equipment, and increase our cold storage over the next 12-18 months. We are planning on acquiring electric pallet jacks to make a safer work space for our volunteers at both our current location and at our new location.
We are reminded daily that we are not working alone. We are part of something bigger—called to feed the hungry, care for the vulnerable, and be good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us.
We give thanks for every hand that serves, every heart that gives, and every life touched by this ministry. To God be the glory.