So much is happening in outreach

Sarah Bartenstein

The pantry is the way we meet many who are in need; we will now offer additional, ‘wraparound’ services for those who desire them.

Food ministry promotes wellness through partnerships

St. Stephen’s provides holistic approach for those we serve

St. Stephen’s food pantry supplies nutritious food to 20 to 30 families each week. Thanks to a partnership with our farmers market vendors, patrons of the pantry are able to choose from an abundance of fresh produce in addition to shelf-stable dry goods. Three additional partnerships aide our patrons, if they wish, in taking a more holistic approach to their health and well-being.

First, insurance navigators from United Healthcare visit the pantry once a month to help shoppers choose from the dizzying array of the Medicare and Medicaid options available. Anyone enrolled in Medicare can appreciate how helpful it is to have a partner in this process.

Second, our pantry is designated a “wellness pantry” by Feed More. This means that Feed More gives us extra discounts on healthy food items, attractive signage for fresh produce in the pantry, and other logistical support. This designation as a wellness pantry has also led to a partnership with the American Heart Association, who will soon send nurses to the pantry to check patrons’ blood pressure and refer them to participating medical providers if they are at risk for hypertension.

We are excited that through all these partnerships, we are able to provide patrons with shelf-stable pantry items as well as additional avenues to good health.

By Anna Jones

Three years ago, St. Stephen’s began working with Communities in Schools to provide a Christmas shop for families of students at Fairfield Elementary School, our longtime partner in the East End. This approach gave parents and grandparents of Fairfield students the opportunity to select clothing, books, toys, games, and other gifts for their children—things they knew their youngsters would use and enjoy.

Previously, generous parishioners had purchased gifts through an “Angel Tree” for children they did not know. Our staff and volunteers, along with representatives of the school, thought that a Christmas shop would be a welcome change for Fairfield families, providing a greater sense of dignity and self-determination—not to mention the joy of selecting and wrapping gifts for their families. Using this new model, parishioners consulted a list of gift suggestions in various categories and brought their purchases to the church. These items were transported to Fairfield where they were arranged by age and category in the gym. Just before the Christmas break, adults were able to come to the gym to shop for their children.

Even during the pandemic, we have found ways to make the shop work, and 2021 was no exception. Thanks to you, we were able to provide Christmas gifts for 278 students. Not only did our parishioners (and those of other churches) provide the merchandise for the shop, our volunteers assisted parents on-site with wrapping and transporting the gifts.

Thanks to all for your participation.

A holiday tradition

Ingredients for Thanksgiving meals delivered to 343 families

Thanks to the good work of many parishioners, we were once again able to deliver the ingredients for a delicious Thanksgiving meal, including a whole turkey, to 343 families during the week of Thanksgiving. These are families of students at Fairfield Elementary School, Anna Julia Cooper School, and, new this year, Elijah House Academy. Last year, we were not able to have as much hands-on parish involvement because of the pandemic, so it was wonderful to have such wide participation this year.

The 2021 drive also emphasized fresh food for the first time. In the past, the meals included a turkey along with boxed and canned side dishes and dessert mix. This year we were able to include fresh produce such as potatoes.

Many thanks to all who helped pack and deliver the bags: Diane Andrews, Toni Baber, Brenda Bartges, Lynn Burgess, Kristi Canaan, Kimberly Craig, Nancy Emerson, Bruce Evans, May Fox, Thomas Goode, Alice Goodwin, Kitty Hardt, Lee Hatcher, Anne Hines, Melisa Hudson, Mary Lee, Patricia Lewis, Sharon Machrone, Carrie Marshall, Marty McIntosh, Susan Moore, Nan O’Connell, Alice Phillips, Amanda Prusek, Colby Prusek, Joan Putney, Sally Rathbun, Aidan Sangiray, Janie Satterfield, Josie Schmidt, Fran Smith, Wendy TenHoeve, Jed TenHoeve, Whitney Van Der Hyde, and Vivian White.

Sarah Bartenstein

Ron Brown, outreach director

Outreach presence on Sundays

Have you met our outreach director, Ron Brown? Do you know who serves on our outreach committee? Do you have questions about St. Stephen’s outreach ministries or want to learn more about how to be involved? Beginning this winter, our outreach team is providing an ongoing presence at church on Sunday mornings. Since this is the day of the week when most parishioners are here, Ron and others who have a role in leading our outreach ministries are present and ready to chat with you before or after a service. Look for them near the outreach table, located between the parish office and the Large Fellowship Hall.

Rebuilding Together Richmond

Many of our outreach opportunities have been negatively affected by the pandemic, preventing us from helping in classrooms, taking Communion and Bible study to the city jail, and permitting visitors to enter our food pantry to choose their own groceries. Rebuilding Together Richmond, however, takes place largely outdoors. So last October, we were able to send our HANDS Ministry team to a residence on Gordon Avenue to make repairs that will allow the owner to remain safely in her own home. The team painted, pressure washed, repaired a door, banister, and fence, and made other repairs. Thank you to all who took part. Another event will be held in April. If you’d like to participate, please be in touch with Ron Brown, rbrown@ststephensRVA.org or 804.288.2867.