God calls us to serve people at Salem Presbyterian (SPC), in the community, and in the world in Christ’s name. There are many opportunities to serve others in Christ’s name, including local, national, and international mission/service projects; the church Prayer Chain; elected church leadership (e.g., Deacons and Elders); teaching children, youth, and adults; and volunteering.

Some of our outreach and mission efforts include:

Area Churches Together (ACT): This ministry assists elementary school children in need by providing school supplies, hygiene items, and nutritious foods. You may place donations in the bins located inside the Clay Street entrance of the church. This program is sponsored by the Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries, a faith-based organization comprised of Salem churches of many denominations.

Benevolence Fund: Using endowed funds and our annual budget we provide financial assistance such as utility or rent assistance, to those in need in our community.

Central American Evangelical Center for Pastoral Studies (CEDEPCA): We travel to Guatemala to work with CEDEPCA in its ministry, and we also provide funding to CEDEPCA that helps people in need in Guatemala and  provides training for church leaders in that country. But due to current COVID restrictions and travel concerns CEDEPCA has initiated ZOOM virtual journeys, Intercultural Encounters. For more information, visit their web www.cedepca.org.

CROP Hunger Walk: This annual walk in October raises money to fight hunger locally, nationally and internationally. We join others in the Roanoke Valley for this walk.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner: We host a free Thanksgiving dinner at noon on Thanksgiving Day to anyone who would like to come. During COVID, we will distribute gift cards to those in need of a Thanksgiving meal instead of sharing a meal together.

Family Promise of Greater Roanoke (FPGR): We work with other congregations in the Roanoke Valley to provide shelter, meals, and support services for homeless families. The Marshall House, owned by and located behind SPC, houses FPGR’s day center. Family Promise’s goal is to move families from homelessness to some form of permanent housing.  To learn more,  visit familypromiseroanoke.org.

Giving Garden: The volunteer Giving Garden is located on property owned by SPC (behind the church and opposite the Clay Street parking lot). Volunteers from the church and the community grow and harvest fresh produce for the Salem-Roanoke County Food Pantry.

Habitat for Humanity: Every other year, SPC joins other congregations in Habitat’s efforts to end poverty housing through workdays and monetary contributions. For more information about Habitat for Humanity’s local ministry,  visit: www.habitat-roanoke.org.

Ms. Dorsey’s Clothes Closet: We’re involved in this ministry of compassion and service by volunteering and by donating clothes and money.

Piecemakers Quilting and Sewing Group: This group meets monthly at the church to quilt and sew items for members of the church and the community. Check church publications for meeting times.

Presbyterian Community Center: We provide funding, and members also assist in this organization’s tutoring ministries to inner city children. For more information, visit www.pccse.org

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA): We provide financial support to this Presbyterian Church U.S.A. organization for disaster relief assistance nationally and internationally.

Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM) House: We provide financial support to RAM in its mission to assist those in need of food and shelter.

Roanoke Rescue Mission: We work regularly with the Rescue Mission, the largest shelter in the Roanoke Valley, serving those who are homeless,  hungry,  battling addictions,  impoverished, and hopeless. For more information, visit www.rescuemission.net.

Roanoke College: We work with Christian organizations on the campus of Roanoke College to connect with students there, and RC students worship at SPC on Sunday mornings and use our facility.

Ryan’s Case for Smiles: Our church serves as the meeting place for the local chapter of Ryan’s Case for Smiles as volunteers sew whimsical pillowcases for hospitalized children in order to brighten their surroundings and aid in the healing process.

Salem-Roanoke County Food Pantry: We support this local food pantry with donations of food, money, and volunteer hours and accept food contributions at the church. You may place donations in the bins located inside the Clay Street entrance of the church at any time or by the entrances to the sanctuary on Communion Sundays.

SOUPer Bowl of Caring: On Super Bowl Sunday we collect canned goods and money that are donated to local organizations to fight hunger in our community.

Two Cents-A-Meal: A Presbyterian Church U.S.A. ministry addressing hunger and its causes nationally and internationally, which we support every second Sunday by donating money (ideally at least two cents for each meal the donor has eaten the previous month). Money is placed in jars provided on our sanctuary windowsills.

Union Presbyterian Seminary: Financial support is provided to this Presbyterian Church U.S.A. seminary in Richmond, VA, that educates and helps equip people for ordained and other ministries.

Young Life: We provide financial support to this ministry. Some of our youth participate in this non-denominational Christian organization.