OVERVIEW OF OUR MISSION
We at First Presbyterian believe
that one of our duties as followers of Jesus Christ is to care for our fellow
human beings without prejudice of race, creed, color, national origin,
ideology, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. As disciples of Jesus Christ
we welcome to our community all who struggle in this human venture.
The Bible
records a story where Jesus fed a multitude of hungry people with only five
loaves and two fishes. Jesus performed a miracle! Whether he literally divided
the loaves and fishes, or convinced others to give of their own hoarded food, a
miracle was brought about on that plain in ancient Israel. We at First
Presbyterian believe that a miracle is happening in our midst too. Our
mission is as follows:
THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE
Within a five mile radius of the church there are
70,000 people living is this small Florida Gulf community. The average median
FAMILY income is under $40K with households made up of several generations of
families sharing resources. Those who receive food from our grocery store-like food pantry called "The Shopping Experience" and "Community Family Meal" represent the diversity of this West Florida community. Twenty-something single moms, children, disabled workers, the unemployed, military veterans, and seniors find food and friendship at our Church. We live in an impoverished area with high unemployment, homelessness, where our schools serve free our
reduced meals to 80% of enrolled children. THAT HAS STOPPED WITH SUMMER VACATION, SO WE ARE FACED WITH THE TASK OF FEEDING OUR COMMUNITY CHILDREN.
THE SHOPPING
EXPERIENCE
Our Shopping
Experience has been in operation for seven months, open once a week,
and we have given out 9143 pounds of food which has feed 1541 people at a
cost of $4520! People are welcomed to come and choose the items they like to
eat and are given several well-balanced nutritional meals every visit.
COMMUNITY FAMILY MEAL
In conjunction with the food distribution,
First Presbyterian Church of Port Richey, Florida, also serves a weekly hot
meal to the community. This has been funding entirely by Tampa Bay's Metropolitan Ministries. All are invited and no one has to prove a need. We feed
all who come to our door. To date, we have served over 200 hot meals free of
charge.
COUNSELING SERVICES
We have all heard the saying, “Give a man a fish,
and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a
lifetime”. This is also part of our work. When people come in, they not only
receive necessities like hot meals, groceries, and clothing, they receive
benefit through our partnering with other helping agencies and governmental
services. We have contacts with Metropolitan Ministries, Volunteer Way, Feed
America, and other non-profits where folks can get help searching for a job,
becoming self-sufficient, receive educational benefits, and help for
addictions.`
Last but not least, we are equipped to address the
spiritual and pastoral needs of all who come for food. Under the guidance of
The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey G. Guild, a retired Air Force Chaplain and Presbyterian
Church (USA) minister, volunteers are available to be with those in need. Our volunteers
receive some training to equip them to listen, pray, and recognize referral
needs.
We believe that religion is a personal choice, and
people are free to partake of our counseling, prayer, and worship services as
offered and food is in no way contingent on attending a worship service or
hearing a sermon.
God has more for us to do. I appeal to you to join
with us in this important ministry. Consider a donation to The Shopping
Experience (the Community Family Meal is fully funded due to the generosity of
Metropolitan Ministries of Tampa, Florida and others). You can click the
donation page on our website and contribute to this ministry. www.firstchurchportrichey.org
WHAT WE NEED
We need funds to buy groceries to
stock our food pantry for the summer months. We purchase food from a
cooperative food bank called “Feeding America, Tampa Bay” and from local grocery
stores. One hundred percent of your donations will be used for food to feed our
community. None of the donations to The Shopping Experience will be used to
fund Church activities.
THE IMPACT
When we moved to Florida six years ago, I was
shocked to see the poverty in the community we choose to make my home. After
serving as a chaplain in the United States Air Force for 28 years, West Pasco
County Florida would be our “forever” home. I serve a small Christian community that was
facing extinction.
We put our long-cherished beliefs to the test and
stepped out in faith. It was decided that we either live into our beliefs, or
close the church. The focus of First Presbyterian Church is now on the needs of
the community in which we live and worship. The abundance of generosity has
been overwhelming as has the needs of the community. We are good at getting
food into the hands, mouths and stomachs of families who need a little help to
make ends meet. Again, 100% of funds received through this drive will be spent
on food for the pantry.
