Mission Partners

Community Ministries

Interfaith Mission

Members of the Social Ministry Committee represent our church on the State College Area Interfaith Mission Board. Their information, ecumenical association was formed over 25 years ago to coordinate the outreach to those in need within our community. Interfaith Mission administers monies received from a Housing Assistance Grant, the Christmas Wishing Well drive as well as individual and member congregation donations (including $1500 from Grace). Programs served by Interfaith Mission include the Food Bank, The Furniture Exchange, SOS Small Business Loan Programs, The Counseling Ministry, Park Forest Day Nursery, Habitat for Humanity, A Friend, Temporary Housing and the Prison Society of Centre County.

For more information, contact Interfaith Mission at 234-7731, Pat Isher at 237-7857, or Marge VanTries at 237-7148.

Food Bank

The first Sunday of each month, a table is placed in the Narthex for offering of food and money for the State College Area Food Bank. Contributions are also picked up from the Sunday school classrooms. Individuals living the area are served by the Interfaith Mission who need food in an emergency and are referred by religious, social or government agencies are eligible for service. The policy is to serve a family no more than four times per calendar year. Each time a family receives a 3-day supply of bread cereal, milk, eggs, meat, fruit, vegetables and other staples intended to provide recommended daily nutrients.

For more information, contact Lu Magnusson at 237-9408.

Centre Volunteers in Medicine

CVIM provides access to free preventative and acute primary healthcare and limited acute dental care for children and adults who do not have any other medical coverage, meets specific criteria of need and are residents of Centre County. The Social Ministry Committee is dedicated to supporting the CVIM monetarily and through announcement of programs, needs and fundraisers.

For more information contact Celeste Newcomb at 234-5588, Doris Bailey at 237-3641, the Centre Volunteers in Medicine Clinic at 231-4043 or their website at www.cvim.net/cvim.

Red Cross Blood Drives

The Social Ministry Committee has agreed to organize, promote and sponsor two community blood drives throughout the year. Blood donors are the most paramount need, but there is also a need for people to help the day of the event, manage sign-up tables, distribute fliers and provide food for the canteen.

For more information, contact Jim Campbell at 237-0676.

Meals On Wheels

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, meals are delivered to people how are homebound in the State College School District. Over 200 volunteers assist the Meals on Wheels staff packing and delivering meals to individuals in need.

For more information or to volunteer as a kitchen helper, driver or visitor, contact Anna Carol Buffington at 237-8135.

Community Fundraisers

The Social Ministry Committee recruits walkers who then solicit sponsors for the CROP Walk each fall and the Tri-County Habitat for Humanity HouseWalk each spring.

For more information about CROP walk, contact Ruth Kistler at 867-1418. For information regarding Habitat for Humanity, contact Ken Kulp at 237-3993