 Serving the downtown community Walk-in ministry – our food pantry
The days of folks coming into the church for a few cans of soup and a jar of peanut butter are history. During the March 2008 "Help week" pantry administrator Rena Thomas provided to each of the households served between March 25-28 a minimum of 4 lg boxes of cold cereal, one 2- lb bag of oatmeal, 3 boxes of crackers, 4 lbs of cheese, 1 jar of peanut butter, military Meal-Ready-Eat packs, 4 lbs of macaroni noodles, 2 cans of beef stew, 1 canned beef, a 5-lb bag pf catfish nuggets, a pack of 6 salmon burgers, 2 cans of chili, 6 46-oz cans of juice, 1 can of green beans, 2 cans of mixed vegetables, 1 can of sweet potatoes,1 can of whole kernel corn, 1 can of peas, 1 can of spinach, 2 cans of assorted soups, 4 cans of assorted fruits, 6 cans of milk, fabric softener, 4 bars of bath soap. Other miscellaneous items were given in response to special requests. Over the past few years, Rena Thomas, our congregation’s business administrator, has radically transformed Smithfield's Walk-in Ministry. Most of the folks who benefit from these changes live within a mile or so of the church. Rena's regular reports to the Church Council tell the tale of this remarkable outreach to our downtown neighbors. In 2007, a total of 576 individuals representing 535 "families" were served through the pantry. 286 (just short of 50%) were 60 or older, 248 (43%) were 35-59 years old, and 60% were women (a stable percentage across the years). 72% had disabilities and 87% lived alone. 64% were non-Hispanic Black and 35% non-Hispanic white. 96 individuals were new to the Smithfield pantry. 66% were eligible for food stamps. 79% were registered to vote. 2 % were homeless. The youngest was 1 month old, the great-grandchild of the oldest at 87 who came to the pantry every month. Through March of 2008, families served is up 45%. Rena oversees the Walk-in Ministry every fifth week on a rotating basis with other downtown churches in the Downtown Ministerium. During the March 25-28,2008, "Helpweek Distribution," at Smithfield Church, 84 individuals representing 76 families were served.
42% were women 65% had disabilities 58% were non-Hispanic Black 39% were non-Hispanic White 93% lived alone 64% received Food Stamps 20% not eligible for Food Stamps 80% of those coming for assistance are registered voters. Unhoused homeless people, who have no place to store or prepare food, seldom visit the Walk-in Ministry, but homelessness is a serious issue in the city and in Allegheny County. An Allegheny County Department of Human Services January 2008 point-in-time survey of individuals receiving services from public and private sources and living unhoused, in temporary shelters, and in transitional housing in the county revealed the following:
The Ministerium's primary area of service is Downtown Pittsburgh: Wood Street Commons (shelter/individual rooms), three rent subsidized apartment buildings (Penn Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and Liberty Avenue, and the YMCA shelter on W. North Avenue. Because we receive outside funding as well as government assistance, Rena can offer assistance to any in need of food and/or referrals. Rena also helps people receive assistance from the "On-Site Pharmacy," a free service of the Program For Health Care To Underserved Populations run by the Division of General Internal Medicine at Montefiore Hospital as well as the "Gift of Sight" program offered by Lenscrafters. In 2007, for example, she referred 4 individuals to the Gift of Sight program. A woman diagnosed with cataracts and glaucoma was given glasses and received treatment for these conditions at no cost to her. Another was so delighted with her new glasses that she came by the church office to show them off and to declare what a difference they are making in her life. Outside referrals in March were to the Gift of Sight program and Home Area Pantry "We do what we can to ensure that the people who come through our doors receive the help needed to enhance their lives," Rena says. People often ask, "Can we contribute food and supplies for the Smithfield Church food pantry." The pantry is stocked with packaged food, frozen foods, health and beauty supplies, and household cleaning products purchased from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Rena orders the supplies she anticipates will be needed for the month, basing her decisions on what is on hand, what is likely to be wanted by those coming to the pantry, and the storage space available. The Food Bank's pricing means that she can get the supplies at the lowest cost possible. The answer then to the question is, "We welcome and very much appreciate cash donations." Donations to the ministry can be made directly to Smithfield Church and designated for the Walk-in Ministry. Since taking on the administration of this vital ministry, Rena has acquired $29,473 in grant monies and donations to help support it, including $4000 so far in 2008 (only $500 from FEMA is government support). "Kudos to Rena!" for her work in helping Smithfield reach out to downtown Pittsburgh's underserved population. There is also another way for you to support the Smithfield Walk-in Ministry, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and food banks across the state of Pennsylvania. Click here to learn what the current issues are and how you might address them. [The Walk-in Ministry is a program of the Downtown Ministerium. Its members are the five downtown Pittsburgh churches: Smithfield United Church of Christ, First Lutheran Church, First Presbyterian Church, St. Mary of Mercy Roman Catholic Church, and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Donations in support of the Ministerium's help week program should be addressed to the Downtown Ministerium, c/o First Lutheran Church, 615 Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.] Severe Weather Emergency Shelter (SWES) Quoting from the Allegheny County Bureau of Hunger and Homeless: SWES will be in operation between the hours of 7:00 p.m. through 7:00 a.m. when the following conditions exist between December 1 and March 31:
"The Severe Weather Emergency Shelter (SWES) program is operated by the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Office of Community Services, in conjunction with Mercy Hospital's Operation Safety-Net. During periods of excessively severe weather conditions, SWES provides shelter to the homeless population who normally live on the streets and do not utilize one of the 12 existing emergency shelters. SWES provides food, clothing, counseling, and warmth for homeless individuals. "The 11,500 square feet of space in the basement of the church comprises a kitchen area, showers, restrooms and a gym floor for the purpose of providing severe weather emergency shelter for adult homeless men and women. The downtown Pittsburgh location also has a private entrance and a central location making it accessible for police and fire departments and outreach workers from other homeless shelters to bring in individuals." (Making a difference: During the prolonged cold spell in late January and through February of 2007, the shelter was open 24 hours a day for more than a month with 120 people served. Because of the availability of this haven from the sub-zero wind chill and single-digit temperatures, there were no cases of frostbite. Street festivals Every year Smithfield United Church of Christ offers a June Strawberry Festival and a September Apple Festival over the lunch hour in Strawberry Way, welcoming shoppers, passers-by, and area business folks for an inexpensive meal, a time of good fellowship, live music, and sunshine – mostly. Meeting place A number of community organizations use the Smithfield UCC's facilities. Among them are:
5/8/08 Copyright © 2006-2008, Smithfield United Church of Christ. All rights reserved. |
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– through you and me!