In early 2007, after noticing many unhoused members of the community congregating near the church, former FUMC Salinas pastor Jim Luther made a crockpot of chili and heated up hot dogs to feed the hungry assembled there. Five days a week, folks working in the church office would hand out food to some 25 people waiting outside. The number of guests hoping for a warm meal continued to grow. Soon, Pastor Luther encouraged church leaders to consider adopting a mission of feeding the hungry. The congregation embraced the outreach.