Meeting people — really connecting with them — is what Becky and Ryan Kent are all about. And lending others a hand during tough times is a crucial aspect of these friendships.

“It’s in my blood. I want to go help people,” said Becky, a member of Cedar Park Northshore Church in Kenmore.

Becky, who went on several church missions to Mexico, Peru and Romania in high school to help in orphanages and a soup kitchen, was with her husband Ryan at the local church last Saturday morning to unveil its food bank, which will be open from 9 a.m. to noon each Saturday.

“This is a ministry we can do in our hometown that means just as much as going overseas,” said Becky, the food-bank director.

Added Ryan: “We always (wanted) to be a part of something where we can help people in need. (We’re) able to make a difference and an impact in someone’s life, to help people maybe become closer to God through it. We knew we could do God’s will this way. Unlimited potential can come from this.”

Families in need can sign up during food-bank hours to receive groceries twice monthly, or weekly if pregnant, disabled, age 55 or older or homeless. People need to provide identification (government ID, medical bill or utility bill) when they visit the church, located at 18737 68th Ave. N.E. Filling out forms will also allow the Kents to keep track of how many people come in and how much food they’ll need to have stocked.

Thanks to donations from the church’s congregation — which features about 160 people from Kenmore, Bothell and the surrounding cities — the church’s pantry is abundantly filled with canned goods, noodles, cereal, cakes, crackers, bread (which is shelved in a freezer donated by a Kirkland resident) and more. A few of Becky’s dreams for the food bank are starting a garden above the church to grow fruits and vegetables; providing meats, cheeses and milk; and partnering up with organizations like Northwest Harvest and Feeding America and local churches and businesses.

“Right now, it’s basically the congregation — you have to start small and then keep expanding out,” said Becky, who lives in Lynnwood. “(The congregation has been) very generous, they’re very excited about the ministry and we’re excited to see where God leads it.”

Cedar Park Northshore has offered a smaller-sized food bank since Jay Smith became pastor three years ago, but they’re ready to go bigger with more food and a specific day and time to cater to more people, Becky said.

“I never thought I would ever do this,” Becky added. “It was one thing that our pastors asked me and Ryan to do, and we prayed on it and we said, ‘You know what? This is what we’re supposed to be doing.’”