The United Methodist Church in Bronx, New York is committed to providing special ministries and outreach programs for underserved communities. The congregation serves between 250 and 300 people each week and has requested the city for an emergency food assistance pantry. Tom Vencuss, director of Missions and Disaster Response, organized telephone conferences twice a month in each district with congregations willing to step forward and do everything possible to open new food ministries. In addition to grants from UMCOR and Global Ministries, the New York Conference provided its own funding for missions.
The Methodist Church also has a program called Nine Million Reasons, which receives surplus food and farm-fresh produce from the federal government for distribution. Andrew UMC and Church of the Village UMC, in Manhattan, and Salem UMC, in Harlem, were all willing to accompany pastors and congregations seeking to open new food ministries. The Human Relations Day offering is a denomination-wide offering that the United Methodist Church offers the Sunday before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Day. During the pandemic, the UMC opened food pantries and kitchens in key underserved areas of New York. Support also came from the United Methodist Society of New York City and the United Methodist Border Foundation. The Methodist Church in Bronx New York is dedicated to helping those who are most in need.
Through its various initiatives such as Nine Million Reasons, Human Relations Day offering, emergency food assistance pantry, and food cooperatives, it is striving to make a difference in the lives of those who are most vulnerable. The church is also working with other organizations such as UMCOR, Global Ministries, United Methodist Society of New York City, and United Methodist Border Foundation to ensure that its programs are successful. The Methodist Church in Bronx New York is committed to providing special ministries and outreach programs for members of underserved communities. It is dedicated to helping those who are struggling to make ends meet by providing much-needed assistance through its various initiatives.
By working with other organizations, it is ensuring that its programs are successful and that its members are able to access the resources they need.