Food Ministry
You pray for the hungry. Then you feed them. That is how prayer works.
Pope Francis
The food ministry at St. Stephen’s is inspired by the Eucharist, the central act of worship in the Christian faith.
Through the Eucharist, Christians believe that they are fed by God so that they can feed others. The food ministry at St. Stephen’s is designed to transform this belief into practice by offering ways to help people lead healthier lives that make them better stewards of God’s creation.
The food ministry at St. Stephen’s is changing lives and building community in the Richmond area. Its various facets are described below.
St. Stephen’s Grocery Store
We provide nourishing foods to those in the community who cannot afford them using a “grocery store” or client-choice model. Parishioners bring food items to church each Sunday that are subsequently organized and assembled for stocking in our pantry. In addition to shelf-stable foods, our this ministry receives fresh produce, eggs and other food from generous farmers market vendors. Clients can select foods that are most suitable for their households, restoring a measure of dignity while reducing food waste.
Our grocery store is open Mondays from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., year-round. Hunger does not take a vacation. When children from low-income households are at home during school vacations and holidays, they are removed from a key source of nutritious food. It’s so important that we maintain our ability to respond to the need for groceries year-round, even as many of our donors are out of town on summer vacations. (When the parish office is closed for a holiday, the food pantry distribution usually takes place the next day, Tuesday. When this is the case, regular visitors are informed the week before.)
The Fruit Ministry
The original food ministry at St. Stephen’s is coordinated by volunteers who collect, organize, and distribute fruit to over 200 people in several federally subsidized housing communities in Richmond. Parishioners bring fruit to church every week in support of this ministry. We ask for oranges, apples, and bananas, since these varieties keep longer and do not require refrigeration.
The Farmers Market @ St. Stephen’s
At the market, we seek to connect our choices about the foods we buy and eat to our call to be stewards of God’s creation, as we build community and support local farmers. The market is open every Saturday, year-round. From late fall through early spring, it is open from 9 a.m. until noon. From late spring through early fall, it’s open from 8 a.m. until noon.
During the final half-hour of the market each Saturday, volunteers visit farmers and other food vendors who donate unsold items to the pantry. This means that our guests on Monday will have access to fresh food as well as canned and boxed staples.
In addition, during the market our vendors are able to accept SNAP benefits and Virginia Market Share for customers’ selections.
Sunday Community Suppers
Sunday evening suppers provide fellowship and delicious, nutritious food. The meals are prepared for the whole community–all are welcome and no reservations are required. These suppers depend on kitchen volunteers and monetary donations. However, we ask you to make a donation as you are able–if you cannot, you are still most welcome at these suppers which are held at about 6:30 p.m. after the Celtic service (5:30 p.m.) and before Compline (8 p.m.) When weather permits, we set up some tables outdoors for those who wish to dine outside.
Do you need food?
We are here to help.
- Our pantry/grocery store is open on Mondays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. When a holiday falls on Monday, we often move the food pantry hours to Tuesday.
- You do not need to bring an I.D.
- St. Stephen’s Church is located at the corner of Grove Avenue and Somerset Avenue (just east of the intersection of Grove Avenue and Three Chopt Road) in the City of Richmond. The #77 Grove Avenue bus stops right by St. Stephen’s at Grove and Three Chopt.
- There is a shorter wait if you come at 2 p.m. or later. We will not run out of food!
- Those who are not able to travel to St. Stephen’s may ask about delivery using Door Dash; send an email to Anna Jones or call her at 804.288.2867.
- Vendors at the Farmers Market @ St. Stephen’s are able to accept SNAP benefits and Virginia Fresh Match. The market is open Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon (spring, summer, early fall) and from 9 a.m. to noon (late fall, winter).
Get Involved
Learn more about how you can be involved in St. Stephen’s food ministry.