Meet Human Needs
In Matthew 25, Jesus taught that when we help those who are in need, it is as if we are helping Jesus himself. We know that needs come in many forms: physical, financial, spiritual, and emotional. While none of us can meet all the world’s needs, we are committed to helping meet the needs of our neighbors – locally and across the globe as God leads us. There are many ways that you can get involved and further the mission of our ministry partners listed below. Contact us if you would like help finding your best fit.
YPPC Food Pantry
Prior to the Pandemic, our church pantry was a client-choice pantry, meaning that people come in and choose their own food. Since the pantry closed to the public in March, we continue to offer our clients a choice of which foods they receive each month. Each family gets a phone call to determine their needs and food bags and boxes are packed accordingly and picked up by the family.
The pantry serves the residents of Hanahan and nearby areas of North Charleston with a variety of non-perishable, food items, bread, toiletries, and detergents. We provide food for a minimum of 20 families each month, approximately 90 people.
The pantry is mainly supported by our congregation with additional donations from our community. Monetary donations and donations of food items are always appreciated. (Financial contributions can be marked “Food Pantry” and sent to YPPC, 5931 Murray Drive, Hanahan, SC 29410. Food donations can be dropped off at the church on Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
Additional food is distributed through our Food Bag Partnership with the City of Hanahan Police Department (LOGO and LINK?). Bags containing two meals for a family of four are provided to the Police who then distribute them when they see a need. Bags for the homeless, containing water, snacks, and toiletries, are also provided to the police officers for use when they encounter someone who is homeless
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
VOLUNTEER – deliver food bags in emergency, be a shopper, etc.
FOOD ITEMS MOST NEEDED: Canned meats, meal soups, rice, pasta, skillet dinners, Mac & Cheese, Peanut butter, and toiletries.
Scouting for Food Drive
Boy Scout Troop 409, sponsored by YPPC, holds an annual food drive each November throughout the Hanahan community. Hundreds of pounds of food are collected each year for the Food Pantry. This goes a long way in helping our church feed those in need of food assistance.
Souperbowl of Caring
YPPC is asking everyone to “give a little” in the month of February to help neighbors who are hungry and hurting. Thanks to a church in Columbia, our Food Pantry will receive a $1 match for every $6 given – in dollars AND in food donations! (Financial donations can be marked “For Food Pantry” and sent to the church at 5931 Murray Drive, Hanahan, SC 29410 Food items can be dropped off at the church or you can call the church (843) 744-2268 if you need someone to pick up for you.
Hands of Christ
It’s been a great blessing for so many of us at YPPC to serve as the Hands of Christ for the past six years as we worked together to help hundreds of children get ready for the new school year. Due to the Pandemic, Hands of Christ was not held in 2020. Knowing there was still a need, we reached out to our two local elementary schools, Hanahan Elementary and Bowen Corner Elementary, to determine how we could help. We were able to provide both schools with book bags, pencil pouches, ear buds, and various school supplies.
We look forward to the time when we can once again serve as a Hands of Christ distribution site and safely welcome hundreds of families back to our church for this special event!
Journey Campus Ministries
Journey is a validated ministry of the PC(USA) with the goal of meeting college students where they are and beginning conversations around faith, purpose, and the meaning of life. Journey ministers to students at The Citadel and the College of Charleston. Groups and or individuals prepare a dinner for one of the Monday evening meetings and share the meal with the Cadets and participate in worship with them. College of Charleston students also attend. (Since the Pandemic outside groups cannot participate in the meeting but meals can be delivered for the Cadets.) Once each quarter, YPPC delivers a meal.
Meals On Wheels of Charleston
This community-based program is designed specially to meet the nutritional and social needs of seniors. Meals are delivered by volunteers on Friday mornings and include a short visit and safety check. Each senior received a tin of cookies in December along with their meal. (Please contact the church if you are interested in being a substitute driver.)
Christmas Food Boxes
Each food pantry family receives a food box with all the ingredients for a special holiday dinner. Congregational Ministries provides a gift card to each family for the purchase of meat or other perishables. This year, we provided 19 food boxes plus a tin of cookies and bag of Christmas candy.
Angel Tree Ministry
In place of the usual “adopt an angel” from the Angel Tree, donations from the congregation were used to purchase pajamas, underwear, socks, sweatshirts, book bags, school supplies, books, and small toys for the ten children of our pantry clients. Each child received a Story Book Bible.
Mission on the Move in Honduras
This ministry was founded in 1986 by a United Methodist minister, Ed Cadle, who was driving through Central America and providing food and medical care to children. Since then, MOM has transformed the lives of over 150 children through discipleship, preservation of families, loving care for orphans, education and nutrition.
YPPC supports a child, Genesis, who is in the Mission on the Move After-School Program in Honduras. This program provides assistance with homework and Christian education. Genesis writes that “she likes being in Mission on the Move and that the Bible class has helped her a lot”. Life in Honduras has been especially trying with unemployment reaching 80 percent. Through the support given to MOM, they have been able to provide food provisions every two weeks to the children in the After-School program and their families.
Thornwell
Each November, YPPC holds an offering for Thornwell, a diverse non-profit ministry across South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Founded in 1875, Thornwell’s is committed to finding solutions to heal, strengthen, and empower children and families. They provide high quality residential care for children through adults with all cottages having full-time residential couples providing parenting and mentoring.
Thornwell also places children with no relatives to care for them with loving foster families.
Presbyterian Communities of SC
The annual Mother’s Day offering is used exclusively for those residents who, through no fault of their own, have outlived their financial resources and need assistance to remain in Presbyterian communities. Since 1954, this offering has been a special way of remembering and caring for older adults.
Christmas Joy
During the season of Advent we receive a special offering which is divided between the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and Leadership development and education at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.
Outreach to Veterans
An annual donation is made to Patriot Villas, a facility in North Charleston for homeless veterans in the Charleston area. The goal of this program is to get veterans from the streets. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs places veterans at the facility and have an office on site. Residents have access to counseling and support groups.
Each year, Christmas cards are sent to military personnel overseas.