Sojourner Truth Ministries, a Christian-faith nonprofit, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with lots of exciting events planned for the year. The two main goals of the event series are to make Lycoming County more aware of their different ministries and to raise financial resources to maintain and further their work. STM invites everyone to spread the word and plan on attending some or all of their events and help them make a difference in our community one life at a time.
Kicking things off is Le Chocolat Affaire on February 7th. The event will be hosted by the Pine Street Methodist Church at 441 Pine Street in Williamsport. Come early to browse unique auction items. The meet and greet begins at 5:15 p.m. Candlelight dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. followed by a decadent chocolate dessert. Seating is limited, so register now by calling 570-419-7139 or emailing assistant4stm@gmail.com.
Directed by Angelique Labadie, Sojourner Truth Ministries, Inc. is an integrated soup kitchen located at 501 High St., Williamsport, providing meals, limited social services, faith-building, and other intentional activities to help many who are struggling in the community. The ministry serves hot meals Monday through Saturday.
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 by means of a traditional soup kitchen. This remains the core ministry of Sojourner Truth Ministries, Inc. to this day.
According to their website, last year, nearly 30,000 meals were served in addition to perishable food giveaways during the week. This offered 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 service to be offered per week with a newly created position and training for staff and core volunteers, thus enhancing the program as a whole. AllOne Charities is a nonprofit organization that funds local and regional nonprofit organizations whose initiatives help address some of the region’s most pressing health challenges.
The STM 25th year anniversary celebrations include sharing true stories of how they have become so much more than a soup kitchen. While a meal might be the main entry for most people, they quickly learn that STM is a ministry. 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 is to love all people, create community, build character, and equip people to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Their goal is 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.
Sojourner Truth Ministries actively seeks volunteers who know the peace of Christ and are able to share that peace with those who are troubled, anxious, alienated, and disenfranchised. All volunteers must meet the Safe Sanctuaries requirements.
For more information about Sojourner Truth Ministries or if you would like to donate or volunteer, go to stmwilliamsport.org or call 570-323-1797.
