In Our Community
As we strive to love those who God has put in our path, we seek to reach our local community, and those around the world, with the love of Jesus and His message of grace and forgiveness.
Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (RAIHN)
RAIHN works with churches in Rochester who host homeless families one week every quarter, or support the congregations that do host. Pearce volunteers to support St. Luke & St. Simon Cyrene Episcopal Church (nicknamed “Two Saints”) downtown, on Fitzhugh Street, as they host families. RAIHN provides training sessions so you are equipped before you begin.
How can you help?
- Prepare and deliver a meal
- Come in the evening to be a welcoming host to families
- Stay overnight to provide support
Thanksgiving Baskets
Each fall, Pearce works with other local churches, organizations, and our neighbors, to provide approximately 1,000 boxes. Each box has enough food to feed a family a Thanksgiving meal and a few more meals. The box even includes a frozen turkey! The boxes are distributed to families in the greater Rochester region, just before Thanksgiving.
How can you help?
- Donate adopt-a-boxes
- Donate food
- Donate copy paper boxes (or similar size)
- Pack boxes
- Deliver boxes
Clothing Distribution Ministry
Clean, used and new clothing (only) is collected in large bins in the hallway outside of the Pearce Friendship Center. The clothing is then distributed to several of Rochester’s mission locations.
How can you help?
- Collect the clothing at Pearce and deliver it to locations around Rochester
Pearce Food Cupboard
People from Pearce, Pearce 4 Kids, and our community provide a supply of nonperishable food and personal care items to over 500 individuals each year. A great team of volunteers, combined with generous donations, make this outreach to families in need possible.
How can you help?
- Donate food – click here learn our current food donation needs
- Stock the shelves
- Meet clients at the church and help them “shop” for what they need in our Food Cupboard
Immigration Legal Services
New Hope Free Methodist Church, in the city of Rochester, is providing low cost Immigrant Legal Services to help new residents navigate the confusing world of forms and government applications.
How can you help?
- Volunteer (about a 2-3 hour/month commitment)—training is provided and is necessary to volunteer
Backpack Program w/ Food Link
In partnership with Foodlink, Pearce provides food insecure children in our community with food for the weekend when they aren’t in school.
How can you help?
- Monetary donations—checks made payable to Pearce Church with “Foodlink Backpack Program” in memo line
Mobile Food Pantry
In partnership with Foodlink, Pearce hosts a Mobile Food Pantry several times each year. This mobile food pantry provides perishable food from Foodlink’s warehouse, providing fresh produce to those who need it most.
How can you help?
- At scheduled dates throughout the year:
- Unload the Foodlink truck at Pearce
- Set up and distribute the food in the Pearce gym
- Tear down/clean up Pearce gym after event