Christ Church has been a valuable partner of SHIM for more than 30 years, dedicated to helping our South Hills community.
“It is the philosophy of the Missions and Outreach team to develop relationships with organizations that are taking care of community needs.” -Jeanna-Mar Simmons, retired Director of Missions and Outreach at Christ Church
One of the ways Christ Church encourages involvement in their congregation is by hosting monthly food drives. They make it easy by supplying brown bags to members with a list of needed items at the end of every month. Congregants fill the bags and bring them back to church the following month. Helping even more, Boy Scout Troop 228 sorts and boxes donated items before they are delivered to SHIM. Over the last 25 years, Christ Church has donated 118,130 pounds of food! Christ Church has also collected coats, backpacks, school supplies, and household items.
In addition to donating supplies, many of Christ Church members volunteer. From serving on SHIM’s board of directors to volunteering in the pantry, congregants are encouraged to participate in helping their neighbors. Christ Church also includes a SHIM volunteer activity in their Day of Service, packing rice and beans for food pantry distributions.
“The retired men’s group was instrumental in getting SHIM’s Bethel Park facility ready for occupancy in 2009. From tiling to painting, and small repairs, the group spent countless hours preparing the space to serve the community.” -Jeanna-Mar Simmons
With a special focus on addressing food insecurity, Christ Church has spearheaded several initiatives. Fill-A-Truck originated as a collaboration between Resurrection Parish (formerly St. Thomas More), Westminster Presbyterian Church, and Christ Church with each congregation holding their own food drive. South Hills Movers graciously donated boxes and a truck to drive around and collect the donations.
In the last few years, Christ Church has implemented several different ideas to encourage congregational involvement in Fill-A-Truck, most recently with a competition between worship services resulting in a total of 8,453 items being donated to fill a moving truck that was once again donated by South Hills Movers. Their most recent initiative was Feed the Burgh.
To amplify their impact, Christ Church has also invested $474,000 in SHIM’s growth including $100,000 in support of the SHIM Center Bethel Park renovation project.
“The support of the recent renovations to SHIM’s Park Avenue location resonates with the goal of creating an inclusive community. Having a welcoming space that is accessible to everyone is important. Often, people come to SHIM in distress seeking food, referrals, and resources to improve their life circumstances. Having a facility that allows for private conversations, an elevator to get to the main offices and upgraded space to render services reinforces the message that they matter, that they deserve dignity and respect.” -Jeanna-Mar Simmons
Christ Church asks people to think about what they can do to make life better for their neighbors. Always looking ahead, Christ Church actively engages partners like SHIM to meet the needs of the community.
“Christ Church is committed to being a source of inspiration and resource not only to our congregation but to our community. With that in mind, we envision a community collaborative to house services for those in need in one location; a place where the community is welcome and has access to mental health services, childcare, adult day care, health services, and more. Christ Church and SHIM will partner in charting the way to care for this community.” -Jeanna-Mar Simmons
We are grateful for partners like Christ Church who help us build a community where everyone can thrive.
“Christ Church is excited to continue the relationship we have established with SHIM by working together to meet the physical needs of the people in this community with love and compassion.” -Pastor Chris Morgan, Christ Church
