God's calling for his people to be a blessing to the world, does not mean we have to travel the world to be a blessing. There are people in need right here in our own community and we are committed to being a blessing to others right here are home.

Local Mission

Food Pantry

APC is home to one of the largest food pantries in the community. Members are asked to bring a shopping bag full of non-perishable items with them on the first Sunday of the month; more often around holidays when supplies run low. The pantry is open to any family experiencing financial hardship and is finding it difficult to buy groceries. The pantry is coordinated by the Board of Deacons and manned by volunteers; please call the church office for days and times that the pantry is open, or if you would like to be a volunteer in this mission. Once the Education Building expansion is complete, the new Food Pantry will be able to accept supplies from the Monmouth County Food Bank, which will enable us to help feed even more families in our community.

 

Crop Walk

CROP WALKs are ecumenical, interfaith community events. It is a mission of Church World Service, a cooperative ministry of 35 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations that provides sustainable self-help and development, disaster relief, and refugee assistance in some 80 countries. On the local level, APC organizes a CROP WALK as a community even to benefit local, national, and international hunger programs. This event has become the second largest CROP WALK fundraiser in New Jersey.

Serve the Homeless

APC participates on a quarterly schedule in providing a midday sit-down and take-out meal to the poor and homeless of Trenton. We both make the food (just look for the silver pans in the Narthex, which have instructions on what to make) and offer a full-service family-style meal.

We are hosting a meal for the homeless of Trenton on Saturday, November 8th, 2008. The location is the commuinty center across the street from the Church of Christ which is located at 434 North Clinton Ave in the city of Trenton. We need help to chef and serve. Please arrive at the site no later than 9:30am to chef and 10:30am to serve. A sign-up sheet will be available in the Narthex. We will be serving ham and macaroni and cheese. If you have any questions please call Bob Kokesh at (609) 581-1983.

 

HomeFront

APC has recently expanded its mission presence at this transitional shelter in inner-city Trenton. In addition to its annual “Christmas Drive” that helps to raise funds to help move clients into their own apartments, we are also now sponsoring entire families during Advent, buying clothes and other gifts to help make Christmas joyful for the residents. During January and February a “Linens and Towels Drive” is held to help provide clients with new bedding and towels for their first apartments. In April we hold collections for Mother’s Day gifts, including toiletries, slippers, nightgowns, journals, and watches. In May and June we hold a “Spring Cleaning Drive” to collect small home appliances such as clocks, fans, kitchen appliances and small air conditioners, which are all crucial needs for a family trying to get on their feet in a new apartment. Over the summer, APC holds its annual “Backpack Drive,” during which members of the Congregation sponsor a child by providing a backpack, school supplies, and a new outfit for the coming school year. To learn more about Homefront check out their website www.homefrontnj.org.

 

Loaves & Fishes

On the last Saturday of December, APC joins the other Allentown-area churches to provide a hot afternoon dinner meal to the poor and homeless at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Trenton. Because this falls near Christmas, it’s a very special service opportunity, and APC is always very well-represented by the presence of many enthusiastic and compassionate missionaries who make up our congregation.