There’s an uncomfortable topic that pops up frequently in headlines across the country, including here in St. Louis. It’s also something we witness first hand, both in our neighborhood and elsewhere throughout the city, when we encounter homeless citizens or others obviously suffering the consequences of food insecurity. Knowing how to help on a micro level is challenging, but here are a few suggestions.
There are three food pantries located in the CWE neighborhood, Trinity Episcopal Church at Euclid and Washington, Second Presbyterian Church at Westminster and Taylor, and Centennial Christian Church at 4950 Fountain in Fountain Park. In addition, the Cathedral Basilica hosts a monthly casserole program that benefits the homeless through St. Patrick Center downtown.
Centennial Christian Church in Fountain Park:
The small (in terms of congregation) but mighty Centennial Christian Church has a robust Food & Health Ministry that administers to those in need. For some background on the congregation, Reverend Derrick Perkins said that the church was founded by 5 African-American women in 1904 in a neighborhood that was populated by highly-educated “black folk.” The population at that time included teachers, doctors, and lawyers. Over time, as the residents moved west, the current congregation dwindled to just 110 members, with an average age of 70+ years.
Under the direction of one of Centennial’s ministry leaders, Pat Penelton, 6 volunteers, with help from some of those they serve, somehow manage to administer a dizzying array of offerings. Programs include a bi-weekly hot meal program, a bi-monthly “God’s Helping Hands Food Pantry,” a monthly “Neighbors Keepers Program” for homeless individuals who are offered boxes “where they are” containing a sandwich, non-perishable items, and words of encouragement. A monthly “O Taste and See” vegetable stand offers produce from a garden at Eden Theological Seminary, a farm in Indiana, and is supplemented by vegetables grown at Fountain Park’s Washington Montessori Elementary School by Central West End Church. The church also offers “Food on the Move,” a monthly grocery store on wheels supported by St. Louis Food Bank. “God’s Cafe,” a monthly program provides a holistic approach encompassing spiritual, physical, and mental health.
There’s also a monthly gathering sponsored by The Breakfast Club, Inc. which is a breast cancer support group serving newly diagnosed, primarily African-American women, residing in North St. Louis City and County. The meeting features a hot breakfast, education, awareness, and support. The Breakfast Club also offers healthy eating classes. Operation Food Search facilitates monthly healthy cooking classes.
Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, 2,248 people have received some type of assistance and 44,305 hot meals have been served by the food ministry.
Donations to the Food Ministry Program at Centennial Christian Church are needed and always welcome. Here is the link.
At Trinity Episcopal Church, 600 N. Euclid
Trinity Episcopal Church at 600 N. Euclid at Washington has operated a food pantry since 1970. (The entry to the church sanctuary is on Euclid, the pantry is located on Washington, shown above.)
The pantry is open Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3, and Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. The Café serves a hot meal from Noon to 2 on Wednesdays, and on Sundays from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m.
The website states that Trinity feeds 9000 individuals a year. Reverend Barbi Click, who administers the program, said for example, “During the week of June 17, we served more than 65 families at the pantry, at least 85 meals on Wednesday and 90 meals on Sunday.
Deacon Click said that in previous summers the pantry received produce from Central Reform Congregation’s garden at Waterman and Kingshighway. That garden is under renovation this season, so Trinity has partnered with SLU’s School of Nutrition and is receiving produce from their garden.
Trinity’s Food Outreach Program is supported by parishioners and other contributors, but they can always use more help, especially during the summer months when children are home from school.
If you would like to help out, here is the link. Choose the first tab arrow, then click on Trinity Food Ministry. Or, checks can be made out to Trinity Episcopal Church and mailed to 600 N. Euclid, 63108, with Trinity Food Ministry in the memo line. You may request a tax deduction letter for your charitable contribution.
Second Presbyterian Church on Westminster at Taylor:
Second Presbyterian Church’s Good Ground Food Pantry. located at 4501 Westminster at Taylor, has been in operation for approximately 55 years. It’s open each Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. and services approximately 1500 families over the course of each year. The pantry provides patrons with 2 to 3 days worth of food, and basic household items as well.
CWEnder Karen Buckey said that parishioners and other neighborhood sponsors offer financial support to the pantry, but they can always use more support, and volunteers as well.
Volunteers work just one Saturday a month, distributing food to patrons. Volunteers are also needed on Fridays to pick up produce donated from the CWE Farm, 5057 Waterman, and deliver it to the church. Additional produce is provided by Operation Food Search.
To volunteer, contact Karen Buckey at [email protected]. To donate, click here.
At The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, 4431 Lindell:
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis also offers volunteers an opportunity to assist those less fortunate through a once-a-month, homemade casserole program earmarked for St. Patrick Center Shelter in downtown St. Louis. The program, which has been in existence since 1984, is supported by 100 groups of volunteers from all over the Metro area.
CWEnders coordinate the program for the Cathedral, provide a simple recipe and casserole pans to all volunteers. There are approximately 30 people who participate in the program at the present time, but more are always welcome. Another way to participate is to donate non-perishable foods and household supplies.
Coordinators meet all volunteers to collect the casseroles and pantry donations on the Cathedral’s parking lot, photo above, on the first Thursday of each month. Donations are then taken directly to St. Patrick Center.
For more information, contact Nicki or Skip Batchelor: 916-834-4843.
Thanks for reading this long post and for assisting these worthy programs in any way you can.
What a wonderful reminder, Nicki. Good work provided by many of our neighbors. Thanks.