The First Presbyterian family participates in a number of mission, outreach, and giving opportunities.
Food Pantry
Food items are collected during Worship during Children’s Time to support the food pantry at Trinity Presbyterian Church (named Winger Pantry)
that serves the University City area. Items needed include boxed and canned main course items, pasta, pasta sauce, canned meat and fish, canned vegetables, peanut butter, pork & beans, mac & cheese, soup, canned fruit, corn muffin mix, crackers, cereal, and rice.
Winter Patrol
A small group of people take food and supplies to our unhoused neighbors in the St. Louis area. We travel the streets most Tuesday nights from November – March. Each Tuesday, 2-3 people are needed to ride along, 30-40 sandwiches are needed each week, and supplies are needed to keep our neighbors warm and comfortable.
Project Ark
First Pres supports the annual holiday toy drive for Project Ark, an organization sponsored by Washington University that helps HIV and AIDS patients.
School Partnership
First Pres partners with Jackson Park Elementary in the University School District each fall, donating backpacks with school supplies. At Christmastime, we provide families in need with Christmas gifts.
Lydia’s House
Lydia’s House is a safe haven that houses women and children who have suffered from domestic violence. A small group serves dinner the second Tuesday each month at one of the shelters and provides and serves dinner each quarter. Servers are needed each month, while cooks and servers are needed each quarter.
Winter Outreach Emergency Shelter
When temperatures are dangerously low, Winter Outreach depends on shelters to take in unhoused people for the night. Volunteers are needed to welcome and check in guests, prepare and serve dinner and breakfast, and spend the night. We provide training for all new volunteers. First Pres will be open as a shelter on Sunday nights. We are now building a list of people who can volunteer to help with 12-24 hours’ notice. We are especially in need of people willing to be on call to spend the night.
Rebuilding Together St. Louis
Each spring, First Pres partners with Rebuilding Together St. Louis, an organization dedicated to bringing volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners. On the Rebuild Day, First Pres members and friends utilize their skills, resources, and labor to revitalize a home in the St. Louis area.
Additional Outreach
First Pres is a place where members of the broader community can come together. First Pres hosts several nonprofit and charitable organizations for events and regular gatherings. For example, Boy Scout Troup 49 has been sponsored by First Pres for over 75 years.
