HANDS-ON LOCAL MISSIONS
Loaves and Fishes Community Food Pantry
Loaves and Fishes Community Food Pantry serves over 200 families weekly in the Boonton and surrounding areas, and is located in the ground-floor space at the First Presbyterian Church. The mission is to provide food to those in need, encourage good nutrition, increase self-sufficiency, and give hope to those who may have none. The clients that we serve are those with food insecurity and needs in Boonton and the surrounding area. The pantry is a cooperative effort between our congregation and the Boonton United Methodist Church. The charity is designated as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. To learn more about opportunities to donate or volunteer, visit LFCFP.org.
Gateway Community Resource Center, part of the Loaves and Fishes organization, is a Resource Center developed to serve our community by offering Help, Education, and Enrichment. They do this by partnering with local professional organizations that provide practical, hands-on programs tailored to our community’s needs. Programs are offered in the professionally-equipped training and meeting facility. Beyond offering a wide variety of supportive and educational services, Gateway provides a fully equipped space for small businesses to host events. They provide a safe and inclusive environment for all. To learn more, go to http://www.gcrcnj.org.
New Jersey Firemen’s Home
Once a month, our church Deacons lead and hold a worship service, including communion, for all who attend, including aides and family members. They support the NJ Fireman’s residents by visiting, praying with, and supporting all in attendance. The NJ Firemen’s Home was established in 1898 to care for the aged, indigent, and disabled firefighters of New Jersey. Clients receive the best of care from licensed and certified nursing staff, a certified social worker, a certified activity director, a certified dietary manager, and a licensed dietitian. To learn more, click here: http://www.njfh.org
St. John’s Luncheon
St. John’s Saturday Luncheon Social (SLS) is a program led and sustained by lay ministers at St. John’s and supported by the laity of several local churches for many years. Boonton Presbyterian provides meals once a month for SLS. St. John’s, along with other area churches, provided a home-cooked meal and fellowship to an average of 24 folks each week on a rotating schedule. Currently, around 25-30 people participate in this shared meal from 12-1 pm each Saturday. To learn more, click here: http://www.stjohnsboonton.com
Annual Coat Drive and Luncheon
Every fall, the Deacons run a coat drive that collects coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, and blankets for men, women, and children. On the second Saturday in November, people from the immediate and surrounding communities are invited to come and receive whatever they need to keep their families warm throughout the winter. A hot lunch is also served, where guests can be fed, connect, and make new friends.
Thanksgiving Baskets
In partnership with the Boonton Food Pantry located next to Boonton’s town hall, members of our church supply 50-75 Thanksgiving ‘baskets’ which include all the elements needed to make a full Thanksgiving meal for a family of 5-7. The baskets also include a gift certificate for the purchase of a turkey or another protein. These baskets are delivered to Mt Carmel Catholic Church for sorting and distribution to Boonton families. Around 250-275 families receive these baskets annually.
Angel Tree
In partnership with the Boonton Food Pantry, located next to Boonton’s town hall, members of our church supply Christmas gifts for 75-100 families and individuals every holiday season. Like the Thanksgiving baskets, this annual gift-giving is a highlight for
Dover Faith Kitchen
Our board of Deacons fund, prepare, and serves a hot meal to 120-140 people 5-6 times a year. Housed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dover, we serve men, women, children, the elderly, the working poor, the unemployed, veterans, immigrants, the homeless, and those who are food-insecure. All are welcome regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. We endeavor to serve with love, respect, and compassion. https://faithkitchendover.org
In addition to Hands-on Mission, we support several charities vetted by our Missions committee.
GLOBAL MISSIONS THROUGH THE PC(USA)
One Great Hour Sharing
Our church supports One Great Hour of Sharing through our offerings and specific fundraising events. One Great Hour of Sharing is an offering that makes the love of Christ real for individuals and communities around the world who suffer the effects of disaster, conflict, or severe economic hardship, and for those who serve them through gifts of money and time. Today, projects are underway in more than 100 countries, including the United States and Canada. While specific allocations differ in each denomination, all use their One Great Hour of Sharing funds to make possible disaster relief, refugee assistance, development aid and more. To learn more, click here: http://www.onegreathourofsharing.org/purpose/
Peacemaking and Global Witness
The Peace & Global Witness Offering encourages the church to cast off anxiety and fear, discord and division, and embrace God’s mission of reconciliation to those around the corner and around the world. A gift to the Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice worldwide. Individual congregations are encouraged to utilize up to 25% of this Offering to connect with the global witness of Christ’s peace.
Mid councils retain an additional 25% for ministries of peace and reconciliation. The Presbyterian Mission Agency uses the remaining 50% to advocate for peace and justice in cultures of violence, including our own, through collaborative education and Christian witness projects.
For the last 6 years, our church has raised and then matched each dollar to support the Association for Suicide Prevention. To learn more, click here: https://afsp.org
