Community Outreach
First & Central Presbyterian Church is actively involved in the following ministries and charities. You can be part of these outreach efforts! To volunteer for the below programs, please contact us.
Nashvillians
Our November, 2010 mission trip to those hit hard by flooding the Nashville, TN. We will join the efforts of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance In recent years groups of adults have traveled to Texas City, TX; and New Orleans, LA.
Habitat for Humanity Unity Build
F&C participates in a Unity Build with other faith communities in the Greater Wilmington area. This ongoing relationship saw the first house dedicated in December 2004, with numerous families.
East Side Charter School STAIR Program
The STAIR (Start The Adventure In Reading) program is a community-based tutoring program held at East Side Charter School on Wilmington’s northeast side. Members from First & Central are responsible for a reading and learning skills program on Monday afternoons, incorporating games and free reading time.
Rodney Street Tennis and Tutoring Association
provides services for at-risk inner-city boys and girls opportunities for children in the Great Wilmington Region to reach their full potential on and off the tennis court. The lessons learned from this program go far beyond tennis. RSTTA combines academics, athletics, nutrition, and civic responsibility to encourage the development of a child from a holistic perspective.
Winter Sanctuary
In cooperation with Friendship House, F&C is open Saturday mornings from November through March for use by Wilmington’s homeless population. Volunteers provide fellowship while participants enjoy a cup of coffee in a safe, warm environment.
Meals On Wheels
This renowned program delivers hot meals to the homebound. A First & Central member and pastor brought Meals on Wheels to Wilmington 40 years ago, and it continues to be an important volunteer opportunity for our members.
The Giving Tree
During three of the Sundays in Advent, First & Central congregants donate gift cards, food, clothing or other products to be distributed to organizations like A.I. Hospital for Children Childlife, YWCA Homelife Management Center, Emmanuel Dining Room, and Friendship House.
Delaware AIDS Walk
Our congregation and Youth Group participate with walking teams that raise money for AIDS Delaware. In addition, the organization receives funding through F&C’s Mission and Outreach budget.
Clothing Bank of Delaware
Twice annually, our congregation donates thousands of pounds of slightly used clothing for distribution throughout the region. Not only does this group provide clothing, but it also employs women re-entering the workplace following incarceration or addiction.
RHINO (Rebuilding Hope In New Orleans)
This project is a remarkable effort of congregations nationwide and New Orleans' St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church to reach out and help rebuild the communities of New Orleans. Our volunteers will work with Habitat for Humanity on the construction at Ferry Place.
St. Andrew's Place Dinner & Breakfast
Housing program for older and disabled men. F&C provides dinner & breakfast to residents about six times a year.
In addition, First & Central Presbyterian provides financial, material, and /or volunteer support to:
- Hanover Food Closet
- St. Andrew’s Men’s Shelter
- Sojourner’s Place
- Latin American Community Center
- The Wilmington Latino Project
- YWCA Home Life Management
- NAMES Project
- Meeting Ground
- Brandywine Pastoral Institute
- Narcotics Anonymous
- Covenant Network
- Mission and outreach projects sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (USA)
- Community events such as the Wilmington Film Festival, Head Start, the Migrant Coalition, and Wilmington First Night.