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:

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. Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market at 6310 W. Charleston Blvd. - Employees unload/stock groceries; a freezer was donated by area store managers.  Assistance League of Las Vegas at 6446 W. Charleston Blvd. - Teddy bears for children of families requesting food.  Centennial High School NJROTC (Navy) - Holiday food drive; unload/stock groceries; golf tournament assistance.  The Gideons International - Bibles for requesting families.  Fresh and Easy at 3053 N. Jones Blvd. - Grocery bags for households.  41 Local Businesses supported a "first annual" Golf Tournament fundraiser.

Local businesses supported the golf tournament fundraiser Financial Resources for the Food Pantry:  The Wal-Mart Foundation awarded Trinity's Society of St. Stephen a $1,000 grant.  Fundraisers in 2010 included a first-annual Golf Tournament, EcoPhones recycling, A Pampered Chef and Mary Kay.  Trinity United Methodist Church members and groups generously continue to contribute funding and food.  A memorial donation has been received this year.  North District United Methodist Women contributed $500 to St. Stephen.  In-kind donations of office equipment/supplies are provided by St. Stephen team members. In addition, Jim Young, Nevada Technical Support, donates information technology assistance.

Recognized as a Distributing Food Pantry:  In January 2010 Trinity UMC's Society of St. Stephen was selected as a participating pantry for the Nevada Food Distribution Program. Cases of food, at an average "federal value" of $810 per month are received free-of-charge.  St. Stephen continues to be a member agency of Three Square, one of the two Feeding America food banks in Nevada. Through Three Square, food is purchased at a significantly reduced cost.

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.

Fundraising with Pies

Scrumptious, freshly baked pies were purchased and enjoyed by many on Father's Day. The pies were baked by Pies Unlimited and sold in a fundraiser by the Society of St. Stephen ministry team. A total of $655 was raised for the St. Stephen Helping Hand Up program. Through the program, families visiting the St. Stephen food pantry may seek assistance with one bill that might prevent homelessness. St. Stephen volunteers carefully screen clients and may submit a referral to request payment to the business owed. While volunteers suggest no more than $100 per family, at times exceptions are made. For example, $179.05 was paid recently to a weekly rental facility to prevent the immediate eviction of a young woman and her two-year-old child. The single mom was most appreciative, often repeating, "Thank you so much!" Donations to the Helping Hand Up program may be made by specifying Pastor's Discretionary Fund as the contribution purpose.

Summary of Society of St. Stephen Services

Gifts of Food or Money Always Appreciated
at Society of St. Stephen

The success of Trinity United Methodist Church's outreach mission, Society of St. Stephen, is facilitated in part by membership in Three Square and by selection as a distributing pantry for the Nevada State Food Distribution Program. Three Square is but one of two Feeding America food banks in Nevada. Trinity UMC is an "agency partner" of Three Square, and as one of over 100 recognized food pantries in Las Vegas, Society of St. Stephen is able to purchase many food items from Three Square at low cost. Funding for the Nevada Food Program is provided by the American Recovery Act, which allows selected pantries to receive commodity food free-of-charge. Every other month, food is delivered to Trinity's Society of St. Stephen, one of only seventeen food pantry participants in Clark County.

But in weeks between free food deliveries or in times of less available funding for food purchases, there are days when the St. Stephen food pantry shelves are nearly bare. In the photos below only a few food items are displayed. At the end of April 2010, the increase in clients of St. Stephen rose 19% over the first four months of 2009. Predictably, more individuals and families who no longer can secure sufficient employment are seeking support from neighborhood food pantries.

If you are able to contribute any food or money this summer, please do so by noting St. Stephen on your check's memo line and/or on a contribution envelope. With the ability to purchase some food at less cost from Three Square, a little sometimes buys more. Several examples of foods periodically found at Three Square include:

Actual donations of food items always are very welcome at Soc. of St. Stephen. For example, cereal seldom can be found at Three Square and is not available from NV Food. A box of cereal can be purchased for ninety-nine cents. Other items to enhance cans of meat and create a meal (e.g. Tuna Helper with a can of tuna) usually must be purchased at area grocery stores.