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For additional information and late-breaking news
visit our main
St. Stephen Ministry website at www.societyofststephen.org
| The Society of St. Stephen is an outreach
ministry initially established in 2003. It recognizes an early Christian disciple who
spearheaded efforts of the struggling new church to take care of the temporal needs of its
poorer members. Our motto, "A Helping Hand Up, Not a Hand Out," serves as a
guide for this ministry. The work of
Society of St. Stephen is two-fold: First, there is the Food Pantry, from which food is
distributed Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Second, Helping Hand Up enables clients to
transition back to the work force and/or out of undesirable living conditions. Through
various resources, we have helped clients find employment, pay necessary bills prior to
receiving a first paycheck, or pay for transportation back home or to another support
system.
Our organization provides individuals and families just
enough assistance to facilitate "a helping hand" up from abysmal poverty. The
clients, however, are not given carte blanche; rather, they receive "just
enough," which most often consists of non-perishable groceries for three days and a
referral for employment and/or other services. Back-to-work programs are a high priority
for Society of St. Stephen. Restoring hope for individuals through gainful employment is
essential for restoration of an improved quality of life. The ultimate goal at St. Stephen
is to offer an interview process whereby individuals are given opportunities to explore
possibilities and plot courses of action in order to reclaim their independence from
public assistance.
The food pantry is open:
Mondays
10 am - 2 pm
Wednesdays 4 pm - 6 pm
Fridays 10 am - 2 pm |
Click here
to view St. Stephen Brochure pages
For location, see map at
bottom of page |
The Society of St. Stephen Ministry
reaches out to the Las Vegas community
Society of St. Stephen
Reaches Out to Community
by Mary Lovelady
Society of St. Stephen welcomes community partnerships.
For-profit as well as non-profit partners have offered invaluable support this year.
Assistance League of Las Vegas at 6446 W. Charleston Blvd. - Beautiful teddy bears for
children of families requesting food at St. Stephen. Centennial High School (Navy) NJROTC
- Holiday Food Drive and occasional projects. The Gideons International - Bibles for
requesting families.
Income raised through fundraising is used to purchase food. Fundraiser(s) in 2009:
Pies Unlimited $683, EcoPhones (cells recycling) $ 9; Macy's Shop for a Cause cards $425;
Applebee's Flapjack Breakfast $441.
Trinity United Methodist Church members and groups generously contribute both
funding and food to assist Society of St. Stephen. In addition to the generous
contributions from individual church members/families, Trinity groups contributing
financial support in 2009 include: Keenagers; Lydia Circle
Memorials in memory of loved ones have been donated to the St. Stephen ministry. A
total of $1,045 has been received through memorial giving in 2009.
In-Kind Donations of Items and/or Services: Information Technology assistance - Jim
Young, Nevada Technical Support; Office equipment/supplies - St. Stephen Team members.
FOOD PANTRY REPORT: St. Stephen provides groceries for 9 meals per client with
cooking facilities. The total meals distributed is estimated by multiplying the number of
clients by 9, then adding the number of individual homeless lunches. 25,120 non-perishable meals were provided in the first 10 months
of 2009.
Homeless Ministry: Clients receive Lunches M/W/F and occasional Wednesday evening
invitations to the Heart & Soul Potluck and/or church service. 128 Homeless persons
have been served at St. Stephen in the past fifteen months. 928 Nutritional zip-bag
lunches have been provided in 10 months this year. $ 2.89 is the cost of one homeless
lunch.
Marginalized Poor Ministry: Clients with cooking facilities receive non-perishable
groceries for 3 days and may be served 3 times per year. They also are invited to church
services if interest in spirituality is expressed. Occasionally, clients are referred to
the Helping Hand Up program. 30% Clients are children (under age 18); $19.63 is the cost
of groceries for family of 3 for 3 days.
HELPING HAND UP REPORT: Qualifying clients receive information about area
resources, job connections, and goal setting. When funding is available, support may be
provided through the Pastor's Discretionary Fund. Church members have been encouraged to
consider supporting this fund by dropping one dollar per week in a receptacle at the
sanctuary exit.
Financial Assistance Provided: $5,319 Rent/mortgage, power bills, transportation,
medical bills. Thus far this year, 16 clients have been assisted at an average of $532 per
month.
ONGOING GOALS OF SOCIETY OF ST. STEPHEN: 1. Increase number of volunteers for all
facets of the ministry. 2. Continue to provide training for Food Pantry and Helping Hand
Up volunteers to ensure consistency of services. 3. Seek additional funding and supportive
partnerships. 4. Heighten community awareness and support through improved publicity. 5.
Increase marketing to attract private donor, business and foundation support.
Jesus said, "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and
you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…" "I
tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for
me." (Matthew 25, NIV.) As his disciples, we are committed to continuing his
ministry. |
This wonderful mission began in 2003, when Gary McCallister, Sherri
French, the Loving Office Volunteers and a few others distributed some bags of food from
the church office. Thanks to all of you, we are better equipped today to assist folks in
need. While we had anticipated growth in client numbers throughout the past year, our
numbers often appeared "stable." But in late summer 2009 it appears that more of
our clients who have been seeking jobs are seeing an end to their unemployment income and
not finding jobs. Therefore, even more people in our community are in need of basics such
as food. |
| Some Monthly
Statistics |
Sep
2008 |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Jan
2009 |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
| Number of households served |
105 |
99 |
110 |
120 |
108 |
96 |
110 |
79 |
102 |
105 |
104 |
122 |
113 |
123 |
| Total number of people served |
320 |
307 |
313 |
347 |
284 |
219 |
277 |
186 |
264 |
255 |
260 |
337 |
304 |
305 |
| Number of senior citizens
served |
13 |
15 |
13 |
27 |
23 |
19 |
41 |
14 |
22 |
30 |
19 |
34 |
17 |
17 |
| Number of children served |
116 |
92 |
107 |
98 |
108 |
56 |
85 |
48 |
89 |
61 |
92 |
132 |
101 |
105 |
| Number of meals served |
2,768 |
2,612 |
2,646 |
2,969 |
2,654 |
2,047 |
2,572 |
1,755 |
2,441 |
2,365 |
2,435 |
3,152 |
2,856 |
2,843 |
| Estimated percent of seniors
(60 or over) |
4% |
5% |
4% |
8% |
8% |
8% |
14% |
7% |
8% |
10% |
6% |
9% |
5% |
5% |
| Estimated percent of children
(under 18) |
36% |
30% |
31% |
28% |
38% |
26% |
28% |
23% |
32% |
21% |
32% |
36% |
30% |
32% |
View Larger Map
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