Serve our Community

[Jesus] said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’ (Matthew 22:37-39, NRSV)

Westminster believes that Faith in Action is central to our call as a Christian community. In response to Christ’s command to love God and neighbor, we strive each day to help people in need in meaningful and impactful ways. Our faith community supports those fighting hunger, poverty, and homelessness. We partner with strong organizations that empower underserved youth to grow and succeed, and we offer helping hands to those in crisis. At the heart of this work is a commitment to compassionate service, and we encourage you to answer God’s call – and our invitation – to serve.

Interested in serving our community? Let us know!

Interest Form

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Give Your Time

There are so many ways to participate locally! Fill out the Interest Form (blue button above) and we’ll work together to find a match that fits your interests and schedule. Explore the categories below to learn how we can make a difference together, right here at home:

  • Counsel Adults – Mentor men in transitional housing; interview clients seeking financial or utility assistance; mentor those who have aged out of foster care.
  • Provide Hospitality – Prepare and share a meal with men and women in transitional housing; serve meals to our neighbors experiencing homelessness at facilities across the city; be an overnight host at a temporary rotational shelter.
  • Collect/Distribute Food and Clothing – Collect food items and deliver to partner food pantries; collect and/or sort clothing for local clothing bank partners.
  • Engage in Physical Labor – Move/transport furniture for people moving from homelessness to independent living; plant a garden for our community partners; work on a Habitat for Humanity build.
  • Mentor Students – Plan and teach a weekly lesson at a summer camp; tutor a high school student; mentor a student, on- or off-site.
  • Drive/Deliver – Drive members and neighbors to doctor’s appointments; deliver meals to senior citizens in need; provide transportation as-needed for partner organizations.
  • Support Projects/Organizations – Serve on a board of one of our partner organizations; support local military families; help coordinate special congregational mission projects; volunteer directly with our partner organizations.

Give In-Kind Donations

Providing comfort, nourishment, and hope to those in need makes a huge impact! Your gifts of food, clothing, and household goods go a long way to ease the difficult days and life transitions of others. Below is a sampling of items needed throughout the year.

  • Clothing – Gently used or new items are collected at clothing drives held periodically each year.
    Winter Wear – A glove/mitten/hat/scarf drive is held every January to help keep our neighbors warm.
  • Food – Food is always a need! Non-perishable food is collected in the church parking lot the first Sunday of the month and delivered to Hanover Food Closet and Lutheran Community Services Food Pantry. Every Sunday during the pandemic, sandwiches, fruit, water, and other items are collected for delivery to Emmanuel Dining Room. Food barrels are located inside the church for non-perishable donations, anytime.
  • Household Furnishings – Our New Life Furnishings program provides household goods and furniture to help those moving from homelessness to independent living.
  • Special Projects – Support annual congregation-wide projects, including Back-to-School Backpacks, Christmas Boxes, and others.
  • Miscellaneous Equipment/Supplies – Our mission partners have lists of ongoing needs, which include: electronics, school supplies, cleaning supplies, hygiene, and paper products.

Meet Our Partners

Westminster is a committed community partner, working side-by-side with ministries and organizations to bring humanitarian relief and the comfort of Christ to thousands of people every month. We support a variety of non-profit groups, both financially and with hands-on activism. Some partners include:

Delaware Futures

Delaware Futures helps at-risk youth develop social, academic, and problem-solving skills needed to expand their opportunities. Volunteers provide internships, mentor, and participate in service projects and outdoor activities.

www.delawarefutures.org

East Side Charter School

East Side Charter is a public school serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Westminster volunteers participate in their strong in-school mentoring program.

www.eastsidecharterschool.org

Emmanuel Dining Rooms (EDR)

Three EDR programs help alleviate immediate needs of some of Delaware’s hungry, homeless, and working poor, including children. During the pandemic, food collections in our parking lot support this ministry, but typically, Westminster sends a team to serve meals on-site.

www.ministryofcaring.org

Family Promise

Family Promise is a partnership of congregations in New Castle County helping families facing homelessness. As part of a rotational program, Westminster offers shelter and meals on-site for one week, four times each year. Volunteers provide transportation, hosting, set-ups and more. The program is currently on pandemic hiatus.

www.familypromisede.org

Friendship House

For more than 35 years, Friendship House has served the Delaware community with the support of volunteers, donors, and community and faith partners, including Westminster. Friendship House serves more than 10,000 people annually through their myriad of programs, including the Clothing Bank, Empowerment Centers, Code Purple, Financial Assistance, and Transitional Housing. Westminster volunteers participate in these programs by preparing meals, collecting clothing, staffing Code Purple operations, and serving on the organization’s board and committees. There are many opportunities to get involved.

www.friendshiphousede.org

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity provides affordable housing for low-income families and individuals. Volunteers work with future homeowners on constructing their houses, and Westminster has done major framing projects on our front lawn.

www.habitatncc.org

Hanover Food Pantry

This food closet at Hanover Presbyterian Church serves those who are hungry in our city. Our monthly food collections help to fill their shelves.

www.hanoverchurch.org

Lutheran Community Services (LCS)

LCS meets the emergency needs of the working poor by providing food, housing, rental assistance, and other direct supports. Food pantries are operated at 12 locations. Counseling is provided for financial literacy and nutrition.

www.lcsde.org

Urban Promise (UP)

Urban Promise works to equip children and young adults with skills for academic achievement, spiritual growth, and life management within a Christian model. Located in several of our city neighborhoods, UP includes an elementary school, a high school academy, leadership training, after-school programs, summer camps, internships, and job training. A scholarship program helps to support students who have progressed through the Urban Promise youth leadership programs and are now enrolled in post-secondary education. Westminster volunteers are engaged in all aspects.

www.urbanpromise.org

WPC New Life Furnishings

This outreach of Westminster aids those moving from homelessness to independent living. We collect donated furniture and household goods, provide items to clients referred by local agencies, and sometimes help them move. Volunteers keep our garage full and help with pick-ups and delivery.

WRK Group

WRK Group is an umbrella for Teen Warehouse, Reach Riverside, and Kingswood Community Center, located in the historic Riverside neighborhood of Wilmington. A relatively new and forward-thinking organization, WRK is focused on community-building and revitalization. Westminster is partnering with Teen Warehouse and supports their mission to provide high quality and relevant academic, employment, and life experiences to prepare youth for their next steps in life. Programs include tutoring, the arts, fitness, food programs, and more.

www.wrkgroup.org