Local Community Programs

Local Community Programs supported by First Presbyterian Church:

Hunger Relief 

• We collect food the third Sunday of each month for emergency food banks at East Wayne Street Center, Wellspring Social Services, and Amistad Cristiana.
• We also provide cooked meals and volunteers to serve the meal the third Sunday each month at the Rescue Mission.  The April Mission Meal will be prepared and served on April 21.  Cooks are needed to prepare goulash, breads and bar cookies.  Your early sign-up is really appreciated by the meal organizers.
• During the six Sundays of Lent contributions of canned fish and crackers are collected.

 Everyone a Neighbor Day -  This is FPC's way of showing care and concern for our neighbors downtown. We know we can't solve their problems but we are able to show we care for them through hospitality. We ask anyone in the neighborhood on the 4th Thursday of the month to join us for food and fun. We serve lunch and share stories at the lunch tables. We play bingo for $1 prizes. We collect used clothing during the month and put it out for the taking if anything might fill a need for them. On our lucky days some one sits at the piano and we have some good old songs to sing. We take prayer requests and if we are lucky and a nurse joins us we take blood pressure readings. We try to make it feel like they are at home in McKay Hall and enjoying family. Hopefully it is an afternoon of fun out of the sun, rain, cold....a problem free afternoon.  Contact: Sharon Hedeen 483-9666, e-mail: shedeen@frontier.com

 Children's Clothing Collection - The Board of Deacons is supporting a clothing drive in order to meet the needs of about 500 homeless children. The students are in grades K through 12.  The Green Bin is back in the Small Dining Room signaling the start of our Spring collection.  Last Spring we received about 700 pair of new underwear and socks. A record, can we repeat it?  We are asking if you would be so kind to donate gently used clothing, new underwear and socks, soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, and brushes. They are always in short supply. Please help! The clothing bank is also very grateful for any monetary contributions and a tax form can be provided. You have been so supportive over the past years and have given with joy, and it has been received joyfully. If you have any questions, please call Annelie Collie at 485-6687.

Habitat for Humanity  - We raise money, collect aluminum cans and supply labor for building homes.  Cans are collected in a marked container in the church's Small Dining Room.  We also sponsor a Harvest Home Dinner, a fund raiser for Habitat for Humanity.  Contact: Dick Florea  637-5015.  First Pres was one of seven local churches joining to build a house in November 2010 in Monroeville, and previously helped build five homes in Fort Wayne.  Our next involvement is in a planned Interfaith Build project in Fall 2013.

Interfaith Hospitality Network provides meals and companionship to homeless families at the residential facility on East State Blvd.  As a participating congregation, we provide meals for a week about eight times a year. Sign-up sheets are posted in the Small Dining Room for the main course, a side dish, or dessert - or, of course, you may decide to provide the entire meal. If you have any questions please feel free to call Joan Coslow 424-2430 or Taff Silliman 672-8340.   In November 2012 an "Empty Bowls" fundraiser for IHN was held at the church.

Angel Tree provides Christmas clothing and toy presents for Wellspring Social Services, East Wayne Street Center, and Amistad Cristiana.  In 2012 we were able to provide clothing and toys for 133 Angels. Please contact Janice Roddy or Beth Marks if you would like to join the 2013 Angel Tree team.  

Women 4 Women, Knitting 4 Peace knit shawls for women. Knitters meet the first Wednesday of each month 1:00 to 2:30pm in the second floor Parlor. The shawls are dedicated on Mother’s Day Sunday.   Contact: Alice Chitwood 744-3802, e-mail: mamawchitwood@comcast.net

Ditty Bags - At their May retreat, the Deacons assembled 120 attractive cloth bags filled with personal hygiene items which were distributed to clients of Charis House, the YWCA Women’s and Children’s Shelters, the Rescue Mission and the Interfaith Hospitality Network.

Eyeglasses and Hearing Aids - Collection boxes are located in the Small Dining Room for your no-longer-used eyeglasses and hearing aids.

Education Scholarships, Loans, and Grants: First Presbyterian offers $1,000.00 scholarships to qualifying members and children of members who are pursuing degree directed post-secondary education. In addition, loans are available for those seeking church-related vocations and for staff needing assistance for graduate work. Applications, obtainable from Lisa Yarian in the Financial Office, are due April 1.

Emergency Response Team responds to local or national disasters.  Contact: Ruth Ann Briggs 637-8680, e-mail: wnrabriggs@frontier.com

Homosexuality Team provides education about issues of inclusivity.  Contact:  Kathie Bishop 423-6674, e-mail: nkatlinc@frontier.com

Eco-Faith works to educate the congregation and encourage action toward church and homes becoming more ecologically effective.  Contact:  Dave Freeman 637-3032, e-mail: freedave@aol.com

Presbyterian Latino Alliance N.E. Working with churches in five counties, they reach out to Spanish speaking people, helping them to learn English as a second language, and providing bilingual worship and Bible School.  Contact: Jean Wise 637-3500