Final food bag event of the year
Today was a big one at Bethel Presbyterian! It was our final Thursday food bag giveaway of the year, and we couldn’t have asked for a better turnout. We managed to get over 200 bags into the hands of our neighbors, ensuring plenty of families are stocked up for the week. To send the year off right, we leveled up our usual bags—on top of the standard fresh fruits, veggies, and perishables, we were able to hand out extra meat and juice to everyone who stopped by.
A massive, heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who played a part in making today (and every Thursday this year) such a success. Whether you spent your morning hauling crates, packing bags, or just spreading the word, you made a real difference. We’re so proud of this community and the way everyone steps up to look out for one another. Enjoy the rest of the year, and we’ll see you again soon!Today was a big one at Bethel Presbyterian! It was our final Thursday food bag giveaway of the year, and we couldn’t have asked for a better turnout. We managed to get over 200 bags into the hands of our neighbors, ensuring plenty of families are stocked up for the week. To send the year off right, we leveled up our usual bags—on top of the standard fresh fruits, veggies, and perishables, we were able to hand out extra meat and juice to everyone who stopped by.
A massive, heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who played a part in making today (and every Thursday this year) such a success. Whether you spent your morning hauling crates, packing bags, or just spreading the word, you made a real difference. We’re so proud of this community and the way everyone steps up to look out for one another. Enjoy the rest of the year, and we’ll see you again soon!
An Inspiring Day of Gratitude: Recapping Our Thanksgiving Community Meal
This Thanksgiving, the halls of Bethel Presbyterian Church were filled with more than just the aroma of roasted turkey and stuffing—they were filled with the incredible spirit of community.
We are overjoyed to share that our annual Thanksgiving Community Meal was a resounding success. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our team, we were able to prepare and serve over 200 meals to neighbors in need, ensuring that everyone who walked through our doors experienced the warmth and dignity of a holiday feast.
A Community Coming Together
This event is a massive undertaking, and it simply wouldn't be possible without the hands and hearts of our volunteers. This year, we had over 15 volunteers who gave up part of their holiday to peel potatoes, carve turkeys, serve plates, and offer a friendly smile to our guests.
Seeing our dining hall bustling with conversation and connection was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together. It wasn't just about the food; it was about fellowship, breaking bread, and letting our neighbors know they are seen and valued.
A Special Note of Thanks
We must extend a heartfelt and special thank you to Grace, our event coordinator. Coordinating a meal of this magnitude is no small feat. From managing the volunteer roster to ensuring we had enough desert for everyone, Grace’s leadership, organization, and passion were the driving force behind this wonderful event. Thank you, Grace, for your dedication to serving others!
How You Can Help
We are already looking forward to our next community outreach event. If you were inspired by this year's Thanksgiving meal and want to get involved, we would love to have you.
Volunteer: Do you have time to give?
Donate: Would you like to support our food pantry or future meals financially?
Please visit the "Contact Us" section on our page to find out how you can contribute your time or make a monetary donation. Every bit of help goes directly back into serving our local community.
Letter from the advisory board
It all begins with an idea.
Dear Friend,
Bethel Presbyterian Church continues to serve the Lord Jesus Christ through the distribution of food bags, providing hot meals, and much more for those in need. If you have experienced hunger, then you are aware of why Bethel is a light in the North Philadelphia community. Your support of the incredible church will keep God has blessed this congregation and will ensure that it will continue to bring joy to the community well into the future.
In March, the Pennsylvania Historic Commission visited Bethel to tour the amazing church building. An application was submitted to get National Historic status and the Pennsylvania Historic Commission is working on recommending the church for this honor. The extensive tour was led by Gail Robinson, a long time member of the church. The visitors were thrilled with the building and that the congregation had made it into a haven for the community. In March, PECO replaced all the lights in the church with LED bulbs. PECO covered 75% of the cost, and it will save Bethel hundreds of dollars in electrical usage. Of course, the added benefit is the delightfully brilliant rooms!
The most exciting development is that Bethel has been awarded $100,000 as a matching grant from the Keystone Historic Commission to repair the complete roof and skylights. While the Building Advisory Board has been working on funds to match the grant by November 1, 2025 deadline, your help is needed to secure the remaining matching $45,000 dollars. Every dollar you pledge will be turned into two dollars to benefit Bethel's improvements to the church building. A pledge card is enclosed and can be sent to Bethel at the address above, or a QR Code is on the pledge card to send a direct donation.
While many challenges face us, there is also cause for excitement. Become a part of this excitement and contribute as you are able to help Bethel Presbyterian Church meet this important challenge and continue to be a beacon of God's light to all. Thank you for your time and consideration and know that your support will be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Bethel Building Advisory Board
