Sojourner Truth Ministries (STM), a Christian-faith nonprofit, marks its 26th anniversary of serving Williamsport by providing meals, social services, and faith-building activities to support community members in need. Directed by Angelique Labadie, STM operates an integrated soup kitchen at 501 High St.
Personally, I have seen the great work STM has been doing through the various connections and interactions I’ve had with this organization. When you walk into the dining area during lunch, there is always a friendly face to say hello. This is more than just a meal. This group offers fellowship and friendship. From the staff, to the volunteers, to the clientele – everyone makes you feel welcome. Pastor Angelique, as I call her, can almost always be found engaging with a guest, with a smile on her face, and the atmosphere makes this a space where the positive energy is contagious.
I mentioned hot meals, which are served Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. For those who are unable to stay for lunch, the ministry offers a brown-bag option to go. Prayers and a daily devotion are offered at mealtime. On Saturdays, Dinner Church is held upstairs in the Sanctuary at 11:15 a.m. In addition to hot meals and to-go bags, a limited food giveaway is offered 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. In addition to nourishing the body, STM also nourishes the spirit by offering bible study upstairs in the Sanctuary 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays.
The organization began as a simple soup kitchen in the former High Street Methodist Church. When it became necessary for this church to close its doors, the church building and parsonage were sold for $1 to several churches that joined forces to help feed hungry people through a traditional soup kitchen. This remains the core ministry of Sojourner Truth Ministries, Inc. to this day. The ministry typically serves around 36,000 meals per year in addition to perishable food giveaways during the week. This volume of guests has provided numerous opportunities to connect meaningfully with patrons, including warm handoffs to local agencies and emotional and spiritual support.
Sojourner Truth Ministries receives an AllOne Charities grant to assist with providing social services for patrons of the integrated feeding program in the community soup kitchen. The AllOne Charities grant also enables several hours of social services per week, as well as staff and core volunteer training, thereby enhancing the program as a whole. AllOne Charities is a nonprofit organization that funds local and regional nonprofits whose initiatives help address the region’s most pressing health challenges.
The group emphasizes that they are ambassadors for God and believe in sharing His loving, healing heart with all who come through their doors. Their mission — To love all people, create community, build character, and equip people to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Their goal: to provide a place where God’s love may be experienced. Their doors are open to all as they minister to those who are broken, whether that brokenness is financial, physical, emotional, spiritual, relational, or any other type. Sojourner Truth Ministries seeks to be a place of safety and healing through the grace, healing, and mercy of Jesus Christ.
STM was founded as a United Methodist Church non-profit ministry and continues to be under their organizational umbrella. STM has evolved into an ecumenical ministry with a diverse Board of Directors and supporters from many church denominations in the greater Williamsport area who “serve as one body, together in Christ.”
Interested in finding something positive to do with your time, or in giving back to the community? Sojourner Truth Ministries actively seeks volunteers who know the peace of Christ and can share it with those who are troubled, anxious, alienated, and disenfranchised. All volunteers must meet the Safe Sanctuaries requirements. New this year are Fun-Size Fridays. Appreciating that not everyone has large blocks of time to volunteer, STM recently launched a weekly series emphasizing short, manageable volunteer opportunities that fit different schedules, interests, and energy levels. Each week, STM will focus on one category of help — from behind-the-scenes support to creative projects, onsite help, or even ways to help from home. Whether you can help for 15 minutes, an hour, once a month, or from your couch, STM is always looking for awesome people who want to serve others. To learn more about volunteering or to find out this week’s theme, call the STM office, visit their website, or their Facebook page.
Sojourner Truth Ministries’ hours of operation are 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday. For more information about Sojourner Truth Ministries, or to donate or volunteer, visit stmwilliamsport.org or call 570-323-1797.
