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.

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; area managers donated a freezer for the pantry.  Assistance League of Las Vegas at 6446 W. Charleston Blvd. - Teddy bears provided for children of families requesting food.  Centennial High School (Navy) NJROTC - Holiday food drive; unload/stock groceries; golf tournament assistance.  The Gideons International - Bibles for requesting families. 

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.

Summary of Society of St. Stephen Services

In 2011 43,037 total meals were provided, an 18% increase over 2010 even with having to close the food bank due to limited supplies. In 2010 35,383 Total Meals were provided, representing a 14% increase over the 31,182 meals provided in 2009, a 31% increase over the 27,185 meals provided in 2008 and an 89% increase over the 18,800 meals in 2007.

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.

TUMC Society of St. Stephen receives "2011 Three Square
Agency Capacity Enhancement Grant on Aug. 12, 2011

Society of St. Stephen Reaches Out to Community
by Mary Lovelady

St. Stephen Ministry Awarded $1,000 by Fresh&Easy

On October 8^th, 2008 representatives of our Society of St. Stephen Ministry were honored to accept a $1,000 donation from the Fresh&Easy Neighborhood Market during the Grand Opening of a store at Lake Mead and Las Vegas Blvd. As explained on their website, "every time we open a new store, we'll make a $1,000 donation to a local non-profit organization based on suggestions from our neighbors. Shortly before each store opens, anyone can nominate a neighborhood group. People are invited to tell us why the group deserves the donation. The new store's employees will review the neighborhood's comments and choose the organization that best fits with our Fresh&Easy™ values. The donation will be announced at the grand opening ceremony."

During the ceremony in front of the store at 1920 Las Vegas Blvd (North Las Vegas), Manager Michelle Kelley shared with Trinity United Methodist Church members Linda Petty, Earl Pickens, Kathy Beall, and Steve Goldstein that her employees selected entries submitted online by TUMC contributors unanimously on their first round of voting. Michelle described her personal and her team's commitment to community service and how much they were impressed by the effectiveness of the St. Stephen Food Pantry and Helping Hand Up programs in serving our Las Vegas community. Earl Pickens noted that this $1,000 donation will provide 11,000 pounds of food for distribution to hungry and homeless families.