Here is what to expect in this month’s distribution,
as supplies last.
Laundry Detergent
Paper Towels
Cleaning products
(an equal opportunity provider)
Fresh Produce
**Donation from High Liner Foods —
Frozen Chicken-Fried Cod Tails**
USDA boxes
Protein bag
Senior boxes (preregister in advance)
*********************
What is SHINE?
Emmaus joined with the Poquoson Mobile Food Pantry in February 2022 to provide cleaning products and hygiene items at the monthly food distributions. Each month a select group of items selected from laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, paper towels, shampoo, soap, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and similar products is distributed.
In July 2025, Shine partnered with the City of Poquoson with Shine volunteers staffing the Pantry registration and the Senior’s CSFP registration. Donations from High Liner Foods have augmented the recent distributions with delicious seafood products!
New feature: Preregistration with pick up by a proxy can be arranged by calling the church office, 757-868-9215.
Does Shine have an Amazon wishlist?
Yes, the Amazon Wishlist is updated for the upcoming distributions. All items will be delivered directly to Emmaus. Thank you for contributing!
Emmaus Baptist Church, Inc. is an affiliate of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and is, therefore, designated on the group roster as tax exempt by the Internal Revenue Service under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
What are the distribution dates?
The monthly distribution dates are the 2nd Thursday of each month.
The distribution times are officially 10 am – noon at Emmaus Baptist Church 814 Yorktown Rd, however, often begins as early as 9:30, depending on set-up that day.
The schedule for 2025 is:
Who receives the Shine bags on distribution day?
Anyone who is registered with the Poquoson Mobile Food Pantry to receive their monthly food distribution will also receive a distribution from SHINE. The Poquoson Mobile Food Pantry operates under the criteria of the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. Eligibility is based on income and recipients may visit ONE mobile food pantry each month. For all locations and more information visit: Need Food? – Virginia Peninsula Foodbank (hrfoodbank.org)
New registrations are on site at the distribution. Preregistrations may be requested by calling the church office at 757-868-9215 and are encouraged for families who have a proxy that will pick up for them.
The Poquoson Mobile Food Pantry serves residents of Poquoson and surrounding areas of lower York County.
What products will be distributed?
Each month a different selection of several items will be provided in a Shine bag at a distribution table located just past the Food Bank distribution area. Items such as laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, toothpaste, soap and other cleaning or hygiene items will be made available on a rotating basis.
How may I donate to help Shine?
Donate to Emmaus Baptist Church, either by check or through online giving (ebcmin.com/give) and designate as Shine. All donations are used to purchase items that support the Shine distribution.
Or, click on the Amazon Wishlist to purchase items needed this month and have them delivered directly to EBC!
Emmaus Baptist Church, Inc. is an affiliate of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and is, therefore, designated on the group roster as tax exempt by the Internal Revenue Service under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
What is being collected this month?
Will I be expected to get out of my car?
No, the distribution for the Poquoson Mobile Food Pantry is a drive-thru and recipients do not exit their vehicles.
The first stop is registration, the next stops are the food distribution (2 stops), and the last stop is SHINE. Only registered recipients of the Poquoson Mobile Food Pantry’s monthly distribution may receive the SHINE package.
How may I get involved in helping with Shine?
Emmaus volunteers shop sales and purchase items for distribution, set up tables and tents on distribution day, volunteer for safety and security, pack totes for Shine or in the Pantry’s produce or meat areas, handle registration, and serve clients the day of the distribution. There are no advanced volunteer sign-ups and some positions have required training in food handling, civil rights and customer service. Volunteers arrive between 7:00 am and 8:45 am depending on the area of service. Contact the church office for information or follow Shine in the Emmaus Pastor Update.
Groups and individual donors may sponsor a particular item for a monthly distribution or contribute items to Shine by dropping items off at the church office. Tide laundry detergent is a favorite item in the distribution and the 85 oz and larger are always needed. Once 60 – 70 of a particular item are available at Shine, that item can be included in a monthly distribution.
Items purchased through Shine’s Amazon Wishlist are delivered directly.
Contact the church office 757-868-9215 or email emmaus@ebcmin.com.
How can I assist the Poquoson Mobile Food Pantry?
The Poquoson Mobile Food Pantry team has designated volunteer groups each month to assist with loading the food into the vehicles and accepts donations for supplementary food purchases such as hams and turkeys during the holidays. Want to donate towards the monthly distribution or assist in providing an extra food item? Call the church office at 757-868-9215 and EBC/Shine will forward your idea to the team!