Serve Others
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
RPC is part of the PC(USA)’s Matthew 25 Movement and embraces the missions described in this core New Testament passage. Our special focus currently is on feeding the hungry through our 24/7 free Little Food Pantry, and we welcome the stranger as a founding partner of the Riverside Area Refugee Resettlement Team. Our Matthew 25 committee meets monthly during Sunday Coffee Fellowship and we welcome new participants! Check the newsletter and our calendar for the next scheduled meeting.
Riverside Area Refugee Resettlement Team
Riverside Area Refugee Resettlement Team is a partnership between RPC, Ascension Lutheran and the greater community. We co-sponsor families, bringing them to the Chicago Area, and providing assistance to help ensure a thriving transition to life in the US. Each of the families has received a fully furnished apartment, rent assistance for six months, a personalized mentor team, assistance with food security, medical appointments, education and job placement. This is a fully volunteer team coordinated through a Facebook page. Click to join the group and to learn more! Donations to support the families and work of the team may be made here.
Little Food Pantry
Over 70 local residents access the pantry and refrigerators each day to supplement their nutrition needs. In addition to the support of Riverside Township, Aldi and Riverside Foods, farmers’ market vendors and local connections to gardens and national chains, ; RPC spends $30,000 annually to keep the pantry and fridges full. Donations of non-perishable foods are always welcome and may be left in the bin outside the office door. Or, click the button below to volunteer or coordinate a food drive. Donations for food purchase may be made here.
RPC has a long standing tradition of supporting local non profits in the community with our time and treasures including Pillars Community Health, BEDS Plus, Community Support Services, and Share Food Share Love.
Annually, youth of the church come together with youth throughout the country in a summer mission trip experience. Locations and activities vary each year and have included work with Habitat for Humanity, Appalachia Service Project and Presbyterian Disaster Relief.
RPC supports mission work globally. Four dedicated offerings are taken each year and combined with other Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations to make a massive impact on the world. Donate here!