Love in Action

Community
Ministries

First Presbyterian Church is committed to embodying Christ’s love in the community around us. We offer a number of services to individuals who are experiencing homelessness, transitioning, and in need.

Volunteer Opportunities

Community Ministries always needs caring volunteers. View the opportunities below to sign up and learn more about how you can help.

  • Redemption After Prison - Group Meeting Meal

    Interested families, groups, and individuals are encouraged to sign up to provide food for one of the group meetings which occur on the second Sunday of each month. Meals are served in the Wirth Room on the first floor and should feed 25 people. Food should be ready to serve from disposable containers with disposable serving utensils. No kitchen facilities are available. Bill provides drinks, plasticware, napkins, and plates. The meals should arrive between 5:00 and 5:15 pm at the side door on the driveway/office building side of the church. A RAP representative will be there to help load the food onto a cart which can be rolled into the group. It is requested that those delivering come in for a welcome and to share a blessing with the participants. The personal contact is a special part of this hospitality ministry, a gift of validation for the participants.


    To volunteer for providing a meal or to get further information, please contact Eve Earnest or Jean Russ. Eve - eveaearnest@gmail.com Jean - jhtruss@comcast.net

  • Volunteers sign up here to staff the Hospitality Closet located in Fifield Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00-3:00. The volunteer will hand out a healthy snack to our neighbors as well as distribute items from the closet upon request such as toothbrushes, razors, blankets, etc. Additionally, volunteers will aid in keeping the closet organized and restocking with donated items.
    Snack and toiletry items are provided for you to distribute. We ask that first time volunteers reach out to our Community Ministries office in advance so that we can provide a brief overview and orientation. We want you to feel comfortable and prepared as you extend hospitality to our guests.

  • Volunteers are needed to purchase, prepare/assemble and drop off lunch bags at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta Mondays and Thursdays.

    Volunteer

  • Sort, file, and distribute mail to clients experiencing homelessness; and a chance to develop a new friendship.

    Volunteer

  • Join Community Ministries for an early breakfast and volunteer at the Sunday Prayer Breakfast at FPC! We're seeking volunteers for various roles involved in preparing and serving a hot breakfast to over 300 of our unhoused neighbors on Sunday mornings. Volunteer tasks include cooking, cleaning, serving, dishwashing, and more. Volunteers are expected to arrive at FPC at 6:00 am and finish by 8:15 am.

    All new and returning volunteers must attend a Sunday Prayer Breakfast orientation prior to volunteering or have a one-on-one meeting with Community Ministries staff. For questions about upcoming orientation dates, please email Jacob Ivey at jivey@firstpresatl.org.

    Sign up here for a volunteer role and date that suits you!

  • Volunteers are needed to staff the Clothing Corner located in the Smith Building on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00-3:00. The volunteer will ensure proper folding and hanging of clothes, stock shelves with new items, and assist clients as needed.

    Click here to sign up to volunteer for the Clothing Corner!

  • Individuals are needed to act as greeters and receptionists for Community Ministries clients. Titled receptionists, these volunteers are the first faces that clients see when they enter Community Ministries facilities and are responsible for booking appointments for clients and ensuring they know where to go. Receptionist volunteers are needed Mondays through Thursdays, with flexible shifts anytime between 10 am and 4 pm.

    Click here to sign up to volunteer for Reception!

Donation Request

We at Community Ministries are deeply appreciative of every donation we receive! It is because of the generosity of our donors and volunteers that we can fulfill our mission.

Individuals can donate by either delivering items physically to the church or purchasing them through our Amazon Wishlist.

Physical donations can be dropped off at the church’s rear security entrance off of Art Center Way, Monday through Thursday between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, or on Sundays between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm.

A full list of needs can be found below:

  • All items donated to the the clothing corner should be in new or good condition. Used but not damaged clothing is accepted.

    • Men's pants (especially sweatpants, jeans, khakis, dark work pants)

    • Men's T-shirts, Sweatshirts, and Collared shirts

    • Women's Pants and Tops, Sweaters and Sweatshirts

    • Shoes, (especially men's and women's sneakers, shower slides, work boots)

    • Men's and Women's New Underwear and Undershirts

    • Belts & Warm Scarves

    • Warm Hats & Gloves

    • Plastic drawstring bags

    • Body soap, body wash

    • Toothpaste

    • Toothbrushes

    • Dental Floss

    • Shampoo/Conditioner

    • Deodorant

    • Razors

    • Lotion

    • Chapstick

    • Wet wipes (for hands, body, or baby wipes)

    • Nail clippers/ Files

    • Hair combs

    • Feminine Hygiene Products

    • Hand Sanitizer

    • Blankets

    • Backpacks, Sling bags or Luggage

    • Reusable/strong shopping bags

    • Hand warmers

    • Sleeping Bags

    • Washcloths

    • Mesh Laundry Bags

    • Laundry detergent pods (pods only, please, no liquid detergent)

    • Ziplock bags – 1-gallon, 1-quart and sandwich size

    • Bibles

    • Novels

    • Non-fiction books

Services

Mail

Clients can sign up to receive mail and or pick up mail using the church address. Mail service is offered Mondays - Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. No appointments are required to pick up mail.

REQuirments

  • Provide picture ID and sign the “Guidelines for Receipt of Mail”

  • Show ID each time you come in to pick up mail

Clothing Corner

The Clothing Corner provides individuals experiencing homelessness with the opportunity to receive clean clothing once every seven days. The Clothing Corner is available Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Hospitality Closet

The Hospitality Closet provides hygiene items such as toiletries, underwear, and socks to individuals in need. The Hospitality Closet is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00p.m. -3:00p.m.

Sandwich Bags

Community Ministries provides a bagged to-go lunch to clients consisting of a Sandwich and three snack items. Sandwich bags are distributed Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00p.m. -3:00p.m.

vital records services

Birth Certificates

We assist individuals experiencing homelessness apply for their birth certificates.

“Born in Georgia” birth certificates service is offered Mondays - Thursdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The turnaround for Georgia birth certificates is one week.

“Out of state” birth certificates service is available on Mondays - Thursdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Applicants for out of state birth certificates must have a valid/current government-issued PICTURE ID card for this service.

Requirements

  • Homeless verification

  • Valid/Current Government issued picture ID

  • Social Security Card

ID Vouchers

Service is available Mondays - Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Requirements

  • Homeless verification

  • Original birth certificate

  • Original Social Security Card