Each day, members of the Spartanburg community are in need of physical, spiritual and financial support. Following the Biblical command to love our neighbors, First Presbyterian strives to care for our neighbors in ways that truly make a difference and spread God’s love — from the hungry to the homeless, and to the heartbroken and beyond.
Ministries at First
Housing
A Way Home
A Way Home, formerly Spartanburg Interfaith Hospitality Network (SPIHN), is returning to help our neighbors in need! This rotational model hosts families experiencing homelessness in different churches while they work with a case manager to find permanent housing. First Presbyterian Church will host families four times yearly, and we need many hands to help!
With increasing numbers, help is needed more than ever to provide food, to serve, and to visit with guests. Monetary donations are graciously accepted as well to support ongoing needs and food purchases.
Every year the church provides warmth to 1,000 children by working with elementary and middle school counselors in all seven school districts who identify students who may need a new coat. Those counselors work diligently to ensure that children in need are served, and every identified child has a coat ordered specifically for him or her. The project is funded through donations by First Presbyterian Church members and others throughout the community.
This ministry for children and families permanently living in motel rooms began in response to a large number of children who only had a parking lot for a playground and a television set for entertainment. The program provides three week-long day camps for children each summer. Additionally, families are offered mentoring and enrichment opportunities throughout the year in addition to school supplies, new shoes and winter coats.
We strive to improve the capacity for students to stay in school, experience increased self esteem, and to improve family wellness as a whole. Hand in Hand partners with local public schools to identify and serve families facing the greatest need in Spartanburg, SC. Upon direct referrals from school social workers, we provide new clothes for children which they don’t often get, essential products, food, household necessities, and neighborly love so that children and families feel respected, supported and encouraged.
Through this ministry, laptops will be given to individuals needing a computer and internet access at the formal request of church staff or ministries and affiliated organizations. Donations are made both locally and internationally, including to individuals in Cuba. All donated laptops will be reset and wiped clean of all data and personal information and updated with a new operating system, wireless capabilities, and productivity software for the next user. Laptops that cannot be upgraded will be donated to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Divers Association.
For too long we have been satisfied with meeting immediate needs but failed to work on sustainable change. But this is not enough. It has never been enough.
We are privileged to partner with a variety of organizations that provide extensive care to our community. Our members donate their time and talent to these valuable community partners.
