The apostle James wrote these words:
“My sisters and brothers, what good is it to profess faith without practicing it? Such faith has no power to save. If any are in need of clothes and have no food to live on, and one of you says to them, ‘Goodbye and good luck. Stay warm and well fed,’ without giving them the bare necessities of life then what good is this?

So it is with faith. If good deeds don’t go with it, faith is dead.”

At Montavilla UMC we strive to be faithful to the wisdom of James and the call of Jesus. Although we have a continuous stream of short-term projects to alleviate the needs of those most vulnerable in our society our “Open Hearts Food Pantry” and our “Free Days” program form the bedrock of our service.

The Open Hearts Food Pantry is open third Fridays 3:00pm – 6:00pm and Saturdays 10:00am-12:00pm, where it distributes free groceries for area homeless and those in our neighborhood who are in housing but are in need of greater food assistance. Food and money is collected throughout the month and volunteers shop, pack, distribute, and deliver groceries. This program has grown steadily since it’s inception in 2010 and now supports over fifty family units every month.

Our Free Days – one in summer and one in the winter – are opportunities for individuals and families to come to the church and receive clothing, household goods and other donated materials as they have need. Goods and materials are collected and sorted throughout the year and then laid out on tables so that people can choose the supplies they most need. And everything is free!

Other current projects of the church include….