Community Ministries Newsletter: July
July 17th, 2025
Community Ministries is a ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta dedicated to serving those experiencing homelessness and those in transition in Midtown Atlanta and beyond. Every month, Community Ministries can expect to serve over 200 of our neighbors through social services, feeding ministries, the Clothing Corner, the Hygiene Closet, and the Mailroom.
Continue reading for upcoming volunteer events, an update on Community Ministries services, and a chance to get to know our staff members and volunteers!
RAP Enters its 19th Year of Ministry!
On the second Sunday of each month, First Presbyterian hosts a meeting for former prisoners who are rebuilding their lives. Bill Sumner leads the gathering which offers resources and support for their journey. Dinner and fellowship are an important part of the meeting. Volunteers are needed to provide the meals. For information about how your family, group, or friends can help, please contact Eve Earnest, eveaearnest@gmail.com, or Jean Russ, jhtruss@comcast.net.
Updated Services & Schedule
As part of our ongoing efforts to improve both our services and the volunteer experience, Community Ministries has made the following updates:
Effective immediately, Community Ministries will no longer distribute sandwich bags to our neighbors. Instead, we are inviting volunteers who previously made sandwiches to help by assembling Hygiene Kits or shopping for our Food Market (Food Pantry). To sign up for either of these opportunities and learn more, please use the links below:
New Midday Closure: Community Ministries will now close daily from 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM, Monday through Thursday. For an updated schedule please refer to the list of services and times below.
As a reminder a full list of our most up to date volunteer opportunities can be found here!
We appreciate your flexibility and support as we continue to find the best ways to serve our community. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Director of Operations for Community Ministries Jacob Ivey at jivey@firstpresatl.org.
New Community Ministries Services Schedule:
Sundays-
Sunday Prayer Breakfast – 6:30am – 7:45am
Mail Room & Fellowship – 8:00am -11:00am
Mondays-
Social Services – Sign Up @ 10:00am – 10:00am-12:00pm
Clothing Corner – Sign Up @ 12:45pm - 1:00pm-3:00pm
Hygiene Closet – 12:45pm – 3:00 pm
Mail Room – 12:45pm - 3:00pm
Tuesdays-
Social Services – Sign Up @ 10:00am – 10:00am-12:00pm
Mail Room – 12:45pm-3:00pm
Food Market – 12:45pm – 6:00pm
Wednesdays-
Social Services – Sign Up @ 10:00am – 10:00am-12:00pm
Mail Room – 12:45pm - 3:00pm
Men’s Showers – Sign Up @ 12:45pm – 4:00pm – 6:00pm
*SEASONAL* Haircuts - Sign Up @ 12:45pm – 6:00pm-8:00pm
Thursdays-
Social Services – Sign Up @ 10:00am – 10:00am-12:00pm
Clothing Corner – Sign Up @ 12:45pm - 1:00pm-3:00pm
Hygiene Closet – 12:45pm – 3:00 pm
Mail Room – 12:45pm - 3:00pm
Community Ministries by the Numbers - June
Social Service Appointments: 249
Shower Appointments: 90
Haircut Appoitments: 16
Clothing Corner Appointments: 281
Total Unique Individual Neighbors Served: 342
Average Appointments Per Month Per Neighbor: 3
Dignity, Respect, and Service: An Interview with Becky Kelley
by Wyly Wickland
This week, I had the opportunity to interview Becky Kelly, a longtime volunteer and member of First Presbyterian, about volunteering at Community Ministries, especially within the food market.
W: What do you do here at Community Ministries?
B: I serve on the council of the Community Ministries, and I volunteer in different areas like the mail room, the food pantry, and passing out hygiene kits. I’ve served at the breakfast and coordinated volunteers for the breakfast for many years. I’ve also been chair of the council for two years and co-chair for one year before Covid.
W: How long have you been volunteering?
B: I’ve been volunteering for about fifteen plus years.
W: Why do you volunteer here? Why choose to use your time this way?
B: I always knew I wanted to retire early so I could give back and work in the nonprofit world, which initially led me to Community Ministries. When volunteering, I just found that everybody is so appreciative of what you do for them, and their our brothers and sisters.
W: Do you have any favorite or most impactful memories from your time volunteering?
B: Mostly just simple things. For example, at the breakfast one time, a gentleman came up to me and said, “The reason I come every Sunday is to see your smile.” They just want us to smile at them. They’ll tell me that when they walk down the street, everyone will look away from them, so they just want to be treated how we want to be treated, with respect and dignity. And I believe that if we can help them in any way, then we should.
W: What specifically about the food market do you think makes it important and valuable to neighbors and our community?
B: Well, the people we serve in the food market have some type of housing, and it is very important to keep them in said housing, because if they are to lose housing, it can be very hard for them to get rehoused. By making sure they have access to food, it helps with their bills and maintaining housing. Also, the food pantry has changed a lot; we now have things like produce, milk, and eggs. While the food pantry used to be only canned goods, it is now a place where neighbors can come and have healthy choices available to them.
W: One of the key tenets of Community Ministries is treating our neighbors with dignity and respect. Would you say that the food market fulfills this tenet, and if so, how does it?
B: Well, we’ve certainly tried to treat all of our neighbors with dignity and respect, and we’ve changed things in order to accomplish this. For example, each person has a personal shopper now when they come in. These personal shoppers go around with them and help them find what they want and make suggestions on what kind of products may be good for their situation. So it’s a much more personal experience than it used to be
W: Would you encourage other church members to volunteer?
B: Yes, certainly. Volunteering is more rewarding than I think you can imagine, than anyone can imagine, and it's a great experience.
Ms. Kelley’s many years of dedication to her volunteer work at Community Ministries can serve as inspiration to all of us, reminding us of the importance of the work we do here and how it may positively impact the lives of our neighbor community. Becky Kelley is a perfect example of what it means to Love Thy Neighbor and someone that we can all learn from.
Wyly Wickland is a current student at Emerson College and an intern with Community Ministries at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. Contact him at wyly.wickland@gmail.com
Staff Spotlight: Vickie Brown
When and how did you first get connected with FPC?
V: I was first asked if I would like to work here as a bathroom attendant
What is your role on staff here at FPC?
V: I’m an intake coordinator, so I mainly make appointments for our neighbors to meet with social workers in order to address their needs.
What do your day-to-day tasks look like?
V: My day-to-day tasks include greeting people, making them appointments to see social workers, giving them directions on things they need help with, making appointments for Community Ministries services, and filling out ID and proof of homelessness vouchers.
What has been your favorite part or best memory during your time with Community Ministries?
V: My favorite part of working at Community Ministries has been meeting people and just helping them get the support and care they need
What is your favorite book, movie, or TV show?
V: My favorite movie is Gone With the Wind
What is your favorite bible story, verse, or hymn?
V: I can’t pick a favorite, I like all of them.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
V: I don’t know, something that I could use to help people
Volunteer Opportunities
Food Market
Since its opening in September, Community Ministries is thrilled to invite the entire congregation to volunteer in the newly renovated Venable Food Market! Volunteers in the Food Market assist with sorting and stocking shelves, helping our neighbors select groceries, and bagging items for our neighbors. Shifts are available. If you're interested in volunteering, please sign up here.
Footcare
Footcare services offered by Community Ministries are some of the most cherished services we offer. This essential service supports our neighbors, many of whom rely on walking as their primary mode of transportation. Our Foot Care volunteers provide non-clinical care, helping to keep our neighbors' feet clean, healthy, and comfortable. If you’re interested in volunteering with Foot Care, please contact Jacob Ivey at jivey@firstpresatl.org.
Hygiene Closet
Community Ministries ensures that our neighbors have the necessary items for proper hygiene as part of our diverse services. Volunteers have the opportunity to brighten someone's day by participating in the hygiene closet, distributing hygiene items, and creating “hygiene kits” to be given out to our neighbors as needed throughout the week. Hygiene closet volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring our neighbors receive their requested items while also maintaining cleanliness and order in the hygiene closet. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up here
Donations
Information on ways in which you can donate to Community Ministries can be seen below. Donation receipts for tax-deduction purposes can be obtained upon request.
Clothing Closet: Community Ministries is in constant need of clothing, both new and used, as well as shoes, for both men and women of all sizes. Donations can be dropped off in the Smith Building Lobby during the times listed below:
Sunday's between 8:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Hygiene Closet: Donations for all Hygiene Items can be purchased from our Amazon Wish List. Click here to be taken to that Wish List.
Food Market: Community Ministries is actively conducting a food drive to restock the shelves of the Venable Food Market. Your contribution to this effort will make a significant impact on the lives of those in need right here in Midtown. Click here to see more information, including a list of needed food items