Raleigh Youth Mission--- Shepherd's Table

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The Shepherds Table Soup Kitchen is located in downtown Raleigh just one block from NC State Capitol. Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church provides the space for this ministry. It was born out of the selfless acts of kindness from six individuals who saw a need to help and decided to act. Watching people beg for food and dig out of trashcans just wasn’t anything they could stand by and watch happen without trying to help their fellow man. These six individuals went home, got a plan together and started cooking. They made soup and sandwiches in their homes, brought them down in their cars and started handing them out. The first day they did this they served 27 hungry and very grateful people.

Today our kitchen operates with approximately 5,000 volunteers a year, along with two full-time and two part-time employees. We serve a free, hot and nutritious meal to over 275 men, women and children each day. Anyone and everyone is welcome to come and dine with us, with no questions asked.

Monday morning- Mason, Taylor, Preston, Greyson and Suzanne worked to feed 292 people. We chopped tons of carrots, quartered 500 oranges, prepared 200 desserts, and then served and cleaned up all between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Raleigh Youth Mission Monday Part 2

The Ruth Sheets Center is a safe place for older adults who need assistance with daily activities and care but do not need full-time placement in a rest home or nursing home. Edenton Street United Methodist Church provides the space for this program. They provide a safe and friendly environment that allows family members to work or take respite from their caregiving duties, and can meet both short and long term care needs.

They also provide supervision, activities, social interaction with others, nutritious meals, and snacks. Families have found that participants’ involvement in such a stimulating environment during the day allows for better rest at night.

Monday afternoon- Payton, Sarah, Tom and 5 others from FPC Fayetteville, enjoyed visiting with the adults and playing charades and other games.

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FPC Newton Middle School'ers work at Loaves & Fishes in Raleigh

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Loaves and Fishes currently serves up to 60 kindergarten through 12th grade students in a comprehensive after-school program located at Milner Memorial Presbyterian Church on New Bern Avenue in Southeast Raleigh, NC. This program has existed at this church for 30 years.

The mission of Loaves and Fishes is to empower low-income K-12 youth and their families to overcome individual challenges in order to achieve healthier and more fulfilling lives. We accomplish this through out-of-school programming using a long-term, relationally-based, holistic approach to development that involves enrichment of the mind, body and spirit. We strategically collaborate with schools, non-profits and other community organizations to provide critical support to the youth and families we serve.

At the end of this month, Loaves and Fishes will be moving to a new facility at Mount Peace Baptist Church. In the morning, Payton, Sarah and Tom (along with 5 people from FPC Fayeteville, began the preparation for the move. The team moved couches, put all the computers and other electronics in one place, moved bookcases and desks. They also prepared around 25 lunches for the children involved in the summer day camp program.

After lunch, Greyson, Mason, Taylor, Preston and Suzanne spent the afternoon playing games and activities with the children.