local missions of First Presbyterian Church
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Matthew 25:45
Believing that a vital congregation is one that reaches beyond the walls of the church, the Mission Committee works with partners to provide opportunities for members of the congregation to build relationships with local neighborhoods in Stockton and the wider community beyond our city.
We are asked to follow Jesus and serve his people. There are many ways we strive to serve our local community. Our local mission efforts have varied over the years as needs have changed.
Locally:
To provide shelter we are active participants with Family Promise of San Joaquin. Monthly offerings are delivered to the Stockton Shelter for the Homeless, Stockton Emergency Food Bank and the Gospel Rescue Center.
Using the resources of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship (PPF) we have worked with the Office of Violence Prevention and Cleveland School Remembers to promote a safer, healthy community and prevent gun violence.
Our facilities have often been used for public meetings and forums involving our community.
Mission Committee Insert
Food Pantry
The second and fourth Wednesdays from 2-3pm, volunteers from First Presbyterian gather to distribute food, clothing, books, and home goods to any who have need. Please join us if you are in need of any of these items! If you would like to volunteer, we are always in need of people to help pick up food from local food backs and grocery stores, as well as to help organize and distribute food on Wednesdays and throughout the week. Contact the office for more information.
During the week, we hand out bags with ready-to-eat food and water to many of our unhoused neighbors who come by our office between the hours of 9am -1pm. If you'd like to help, we can always use donations of shopping bags, pop-top veggies, fruit, and proteins, water bottles, soft snack items, and socks.