There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy
(Deuteronomy 15:10-12) 

Although the intentions of most of us are quite honorable, how many of us actually “do” for our brothers and sisters? Well, one Maryite [Cynthia Williams-Evans, ‘69] and her husband, Bill, [pictured at left] in addition to their regular jobs, run the non-profit organization “No More Empty Shelves,” which distributes non-perishable food items to those in need.

In 1992, the uncle of a friend was laid off from work and needed help. Bill and a group of friends began delivering groceries to the uncle every two weeks. Realizing that it would be financially impossible to personally provide groceries to every person who needed them, the friends contacted the Los Angeles and Long Beach, California Food Banks and made arrangements to pick up USDA commodities for the uncle and a friend. When word of their grocery deliveries spread, others in need began asking how they too could be added to the distribution list.

Cynthia and Bill drove to Long Beach, which is an hour’s drive from their home, to take part in the distribution. The experience was so overwhelming; that they knew this was what God wanted from them. Unfortunately, Bill’s friends moved from Long Beach, and “No More Empty Shelves” ceased to exist.

In 1993, Bill ran into one of his high school buddies who was down on his luck, and living with his mother in a Senior Citizens Complex in Pomona, CA, which is near Bill and Cynthia’s home. The mother spoke of never having enough food since the arrival of her son.

By this time, Bill and Cynthia heard that the friends from Long Beach had moved to the Pomona area. After tracking them down, Bill and Cynthia learned how they had operated “No More Empty Shelves” in Long Beach and decided to contact the Food Bank indicating their desire to resurrect, in Pomona, the food distribution program. Thus “No More Empty Shelves” was reborn.

In the beginning, Bill and Cynthia went to the Food Bank once a month to pick up items such as; macaroni, canned goods, juices and frozen chicken for this friend and his mother. Soon, other seniors in the complex expressed a desire to be included. Currently, “No More Empty Shelves” provides enough groceries to last about one month to every senior in the complex, which is approximately 140 residents.

The next obstacle they faced was to find a place to accommodate the food they were picking up. A local church allowed them to store the food at their facility, which they soon outgrew. The owner of the Pomona Valley Swap Meet, a local shopping center, stepped up to the plate and donated a space. It is from this location that the group of volunteers distributes the food every 3rd Saturday of each month.

Says Cynthia, “No More Empty Shelves” has grown from feeding one family to feeding over 30 thousand people per year. We now pick up over 8 tons of food for distribution per month and have been involved in several community events by feeding needy people who attend. We are a non-profit organization that exists and is maintained by monetary donations, when available, and volunteers who pick up and distribute food. This is a glimpse of the ministry God has entrusted upon us and we intend to continue to do His will.”

Although the USDA commodities are free, Cynthia and Bill always purchase other items from the Food Bank [at very low cost] to supplement their supplies. Currently, “No More Empty Shelves” provides food to three senior citizen complexes, two churches, and numerous low income and homeless people.

If you’d like more information, or if you’re able to volunteer or contribute to “No More Empty Shelves,” please contact Bill and Cynthia at:

“No More Empty Shelves”
C/O Bill & Cynthia Evans
14170 Rideout Ct.
Fontana, Ca 92336