All Leaders

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

Here is what works best from my experience working for the church and the Salvation Army:

General comments

1. Never give the person cash, checks or any other form of money that you can't control. If you give cash it made be used for buying alcohol, drugs or other things you don't want them buying.
2. If the ask involves a utility bill e.g. electric, water etc. write the check directly to the utility.
3. If the ask is for say a doctor, dentist, auto repair company or other verifiable situation write the check directly to that company.
4. Our church gathers nonperishable food donations and gives them to a local food pantry. This is more efficient than starting a food pantry ourselves. 

The other suggestion is to develop a community resource list. We have a complete list of all places that a person can get help complete with the name, phone number, hours of operation requirements to be helped and grouped by type of help. We have a Group for Food Pantries, Utility help, medical help, housing help etc. This list is maintained by one organization but every charitable organization has the list to distribute. The utilities, Dept of Family services, Health dept and many others also have the list to distribute. The list fits on 1 piece of paper two-sided and easy to hand out.

Hope this helps.

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

We at Trinity Lutheran Church in Savannah Georgia have been providing our local community and homeless with needed support and have developed and continually update a set of guidelines for providing such support.  We developed a ministry called Hearts of Compassion to help fill this need.  Here are a few guidelines that we follow.

The first is developing a list of local food banks.  We have developed a brochure that includes the name of the organizations, addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation and a brief description of what they do.  We verify this information every six months and update the brochure as needed. 

A second brochure was developed that outlines availably of financial assistance, shelters, and medical care, where to go and times of availability.  This brochure is updated as resources are added or changed.  

We have a food bank that is supported by the members at Trinity and several local churches and organization in the local community.  We provide non-perishable food items (canned and dried goods) and clothing to those in need.  This ministry requires a close eye on who is asking for assistance, how often they use this service to prevent abuse.  We have individuals and groups that will try to collect and resell food and clothing if not monitored.

We also provide prepared meals twice a week for our local homeless.  Distribution is on Monday and Friday distributing 22 bagged meals (on Mondays) and hot meals (on Friday's).  This can be tricky and potentially risky as distributions are made at local homeless camps and only by our members that are experienced and have been accepted by these homeless groups as being "safe" to interact with.  We distribute over 2200 meals each year.

We also have a Hearts of Compassion Facebook page on our church website.  If you're interested just Google Friends of Trinity Lutheran Church Savannah Georgia and look for the Facebook link, and search for the Hearts of Compassion.

I have attached two job descriptions that sets responsibilities and reporting structure for this ministry.  This ministry has grown over the years into what it is today.  So it is recommended to start small, work with local organizations and church member support, and pray that God blesses your ministry with success.

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

Hi David, 

We experienced this also, this is the policy we created. Since we created it we've not been able to test it, so it may need some adjustments. I hope this helps

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

At our congregation we have a food pantry which is currently open the second Saturday of each month. We serve about 9 to 10 people who come in for groceries which serves about 35 people in their families.  Any lessons learned on how you have reached out to your communities?

Another question we are discussing building a community garden.  Any lessons learned on this topic?

Hope these are appropriate questions to ask this group/ 

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

At our congregation we have a food pantry which is currently open the second Saturday of each month. We serve about 9 to 10 people who come in for groceries which serves about 35 people in their families.  Any lessons learned on how you have reached out to your communities?

Another question we are discussing building a community garden.  Any lessons learned on this topic?

Hope these are appropriate questions to ask this group/ 

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

At our congregation we have a food pantry which is currently open the second Saturday of each month. We serve about 9 to 10 people who come in for groceries which serves about 35 people in their families.  Any lessons learned on how you have reached out to your communities?

Another question we are discussing building a community garden.  Any lessons learned on this topic?

Hope these are appropriate questions to ask this group/ 

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Carol.  We have God's Pantry at our church and they feed over 5,000 people a week.  It is amazing!  They have Second Harvest as their sponsor and literally have a full semi truck bringing them food.  They are only open one day a week and it is amazing to see.  Some of the local grocery stores also send them their food.  You might want to reach out to such an organization to see if they can help give you food and then the word will spread like lightening.  Word of mouth is how it is done here.  We are the largest food pantry in our county at this point.  But do try and find out who sends out food to a pantry and keep a list.  

At our congregation we have a food pantry which is currently open the second Saturday of each month. We serve about 9 to 10 people who come in for groceries which serves about 35 people in their families.  Any lessons learned on how you have reached out to your communities?

Another question we are discussing building a community garden.  Any lessons learned on this topic?

Hope these are appropriate questions to ask this group/ 

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

At our congregation we have a food pantry which is currently open the second Saturday of each month. We serve about 9 to 10 people who come in for groceries which serves about 35 people in their families.  Any lessons learned on how you have reached out to your communities?

Another question we are discussing building a community garden.  Any lessons learned on this topic?

Hope these are appropriate questions to ask this group/ 

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

At our congregation we have a food pantry which is currently open the second Saturday of each month. We serve about 9 to 10 people who come in for groceries which serves about 35 people in their families.  Any lessons learned on how you have reached out to your communities?

Another question we are discussing building a community garden.  Any lessons learned on this topic?

Hope these are appropriate questions to ask this group/ 

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

Dear Carol,

My former church in Sanford Florida had a community garden.  You need a dedicated member or team with good knowledge of all the needs of a garden:  the tilling, the planting, and the weeding.  Initially the team from our church tilled and planted the garden.  Once the harvesting time arrived, residents in the neighborhood were invited to pick what they needed.  Also, neighborhood residents were expected to weed and keep the garden area clean and neat.  After several years, the congregation started a monthly food pantry distribution for the greater community and used the garden to supplement the food from Second Harvest with fresh produce.  Our local high school had a team of young people who would come and pick for the food pantry distribution (and sometimes more often), There is a lot of dedication needed to care for a garden open to the community.  It would be good to have special times set up in advance for harvesting and advertise them.  You should then have garden team members available for monitoring and assisting in picking.  Gardening is not my gift, but I did enjoy the fellowship in preparing the soil for planting and was proud of the harvest we shared with those who attended our food pantry.

At our congregation we have a food pantry which is currently open the second Saturday of each month. We serve about 9 to 10 people who come in for groceries which serves about 35 people in their families.  Any lessons learned on how you have reached out to your communities?

Another question we are discussing building a community garden.  Any lessons learned on this topic?

Hope these are appropriate questions to ask this group/ 

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

Dear Carol,

My former church in Sanford Florida had a community garden.  You need a dedicated member or team with good knowledge of all the needs of a garden:  the tilling, the planting, and the weeding.  Initially the team from our church tilled and planted the garden.  Once the harvesting time arrived, residents in the neighborhood were invited to pick what they needed.  Also, neighborhood residents were expected to weed and keep the garden area clean and neat.  After several years, the congregation started a monthly food pantry distribution for the greater community and used the garden to supplement the food from Second Harvest with fresh produce.  Our local high school had a team of young people who would come and pick for the food pantry distribution (and sometimes more often), There is a lot of dedication needed to care for a garden open to the community.  It would be good to have special times set up in advance for harvesting and advertise them.  You should then have garden team members available for monitoring and assisting in picking.  Gardening is not my gift, but I did enjoy the fellowship in preparing the soil for planting and was proud of the harvest we shared with those who attended our food pantry.

At our congregation we have a food pantry which is currently open the second Saturday of each month. We serve about 9 to 10 people who come in for groceries which serves about 35 people in their families.  Any lessons learned on how you have reached out to your communities?

Another question we are discussing building a community garden.  Any lessons learned on this topic?

Hope these are appropriate questions to ask this group/ 

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

At our congregation we have a food pantry which is currently open the second Saturday of each month. We serve about 9 to 10 people who come in for groceries which serves about 35 people in their families.  Any lessons learned on how you have reached out to your communities?

Another question we are discussing building a community garden.  Any lessons learned on this topic?

Hope these are appropriate questions to ask this group/ 

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

Carol,

Our church has had a community garden for a number of years now. We provide individual raised beds--not sure how many we have (maybe 20). So there are some initial costs involved with this--site prep, raised beds, soil. We open up the plots to community members and to our members. Each gardener is in charge of their own plot:  adding additional soil, planting, weeding, etc. Some folks plant veggies and herbs, others plant flowers. We charge $25/year as a deposit--if they clean out their plot at the end of the growing season, then they get that deposit back. We do NOT have a water spigot available, but we do have several rain barrels that gardeners can use in watering their gardens. 

There have been some interactions between our member gardeners and community gardeners. I think that the neighbors appreciate the green space. We do have a donated picnic table out there for folks to sit at.

Some of the challenges: some folks use the "green space" with their pets and don't always clean up; there are common areas between the raised beds and around the border which get pretty weedy and no one seems to take ownership of that; there is some theft from gardens (we are in a pretty urban area and there is no fence around that part of the property). 

Cathy

At our congregation we have a food pantry which is currently open the second Saturday of each month. We serve about 9 to 10 people who come in for groceries which serves about 35 people in their families.  Any lessons learned on how you have reached out to your communities?

Another question we are discussing building a community garden.  Any lessons learned on this topic?

Hope these are appropriate questions to ask this group/ 

We periodically have people stop at the church and request money for gas, food, etc.  We would like to develop a policy/procedure as to how to administer any funds that we have, refer people to local service providers etc. If anyone has a social ministry policy that they would be willing to share or any other ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.