Throughout its long history, Westminster Presbyterian Church has been strongly committed to serving as Christ's witness in the local community and in the global arena. A Christian ministry grows out of addressing human need both locally and throughout the world. As a congregation striving to continue Christ's work, we are constantly learning to identify and define new needs.


Community Ministries

WESTMINSTER FOOD PANTRY
Pantry Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10:30 A.M.-2:30 P.M.

Westminster Food Pantry provides a supplemental supply of food and personal care items to people in need while also promoting self-sufficiency through referrals and education. Pantry staff and volunteers maintain a caring environment and respect the dignity of all people.

Pantry Services -- In March of 1991, Westminster became a "Key" Food Pantry in our county-wide system. Our food pantry has helped to meet the increasing needs of our downtown neighbors. This ministry at WPC is appropriate because it affirms our commitment to ministry in the center city and provides opportunities for WPC members to be involved in a vital "hands on" ministry. Westminster Food Pantry gives a 3-5 day supply of emergency food and personal care products to visitors up to one time every thirty days. Our only requirement is that you live in our pantry service area. We also deliver to homebound individuals once per month.

Because of Westminster's commitment to both pantry services and loving those in the HIV/AIDS community, the Kent County Health Department asked us in 1999 to partner with them in providing food band services to People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in a 10 county area of Western Michigan. Each month, we serve approximately 35 households struggling to live with HIV/AIDS in a confidential and caring manner with food bank services designed to meet their special dietary needs.

Farmer's Market -- Through a partnership with Second Harvest Gleaners of West Michigan, we are able to provide a free "farmers' market" consisting of 5000 pounds of fresh produce and dairy products. We offer the farmers' market one time each month from April through October.

Community Services -- We also offer a community service/job program through which people may earn local bus tickets. Michigan Identifications cards, or birth certificates. This program removes some of the roadblocks toward employment and is one of a kind in the downtown area.


Hard Times Cafe -- The Hard Times Cafe was piloted through the Food Pantry in August of 1995. The Cafe is a grass-roots empowerment organization which provides Downtown residents with a forum to take more control over their lives and their neighborhood. The HTC hols a dinner and meeting every Wednesday from 5:30-7:15pm every Wednesday in the church dining room. Different community organizations volunteer each week to serve and clean up the meal to our neighbors. This meal is an important service to the community because, for many of the diners, this is the only meal they eat each week where they are served family style instead of standing in a line at the missions and soup kitchens.

Funding -- Fund for the Food Pantry's operations comes primarily through donations from the congregations of Westminster Presbyterian and LaGrave Christian Reformed Churches. Donations of food and money are also received from area churches, businesses, schools and other organizations.

Volunteer Opportunites -- there are a variety of volunteer opportunities at the Westminster Food Pantry. These include: special order pick-up; unloading delivery vehicles; produce packing; check-in; interviewing; computer entry; packing groceries; farmers' market and Hard Times Cafe.


Pantry Director, Chuck Strikwerda can be reached via e-mail at pantry@westminstergr.com


Worldwide Ministries


Worldwide Ministries seeks to conduct Mission work outside Kent County.  The members of this group meet once a month (the third Monday of the month) to discuss ways Westminster can assist our brothers and sisters who are either immersed in mission work or are in need of assistance.   For more information go to the Worldwide Ministries Web Site or contact Francisco Calderon @ 616-676-1936



Other Community Ministries Westminster Supports

INTERFAITH AGENCIES:

    • G.R.A.C.E. (Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism)
    • ACCESS (All County Church Emergency Support System)

HOUSING MINISTRIES:

    • Dwelling Place, Inc.
    • Habitat for Humanity
    • Home Repair Services

FOOD/HUNGER MINISTRIES:

    • West Michigan Gleaners
    • God's Kitchen
    • Westminster Food Pantry
    • Degage Ministries

COUNSELING/CARING MINISTRIES:

    • Community Counseling Ministries
    • Jellema House
    • Exodus Correctional Center
    • Domestic Crisis Center
    • Heartside Ministry
    • In The Image (clothing)