At Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church we take our mission statement seriously. Inspired by Christ’s commandment to love and serve one another, we minister to others – in our community and beyond – by helping to meet both their spiritual and physical needs.
Our Outreach ministries are many and varied. We like to meet our neighbors where they are. We roll up our sleeves and engage with the community around us. We might offer a meal . . . or furnishings to equip a home . . . or a monetary donation . . . or a word of encouragement . . . or a smile. In response to worldwide disasters, we help equip those on the ground trained to make the greatest impact. All we do is fueled by the love of God.
Tuckahoe’s Outreach Committee coordinates Tuckahoe’s efforts to support the local community, sponsors events that help us reach around the world and communicates those opportunities to our congregation. If you are interested in joining us in any Outreach projects, or participating with our committee as we explore service opportunities, contact the church office, which will put you in touch with the Outreach Committee. We welcome new members, value fresh perspectives, and celebrate willing hands.
In general, we focus our Outreach efforts on fighting housing insecurity, battling food insecurity and meeting the needs of children. These are just some of our Outreach efforts:
Several teams from Tuckahoe regularly deliver meals to those who are home-bound or have inadequate access to food. The church as a whole donates food year-round to FeedMore, which distributes it to the working poor across Central Virginia. We sort and restock food items as needed.
We regularly donate nonperishable food items to this Lakeside area food pantry that provides food for needy families in Henrico County and make a monetary contribution toward its operation.
For many years Tuckahoe has supported CARITAS. CARITAS dedicates itself to meeting the varied needs of Richmond area residents, including shelter, nourishment, recovery, training and employment.
Tuckahoe members prepare a lunch every month and six dinners each year for the clients of Liberation Veteran Services, which supports homeless veterans in the Richmond area. This organization connects veterans with the tools and resources they need to get back on track towards self-sufficiency.
We prepare and deliver a dinner every month to the Hilliard House Shelter, a short-term home for up to 40 children and adults. These families (most headed by single women, many the victims of domestic violence) are on their way to a permanent home but need a safe and supportive stopover.
Tuckahoe members prepare a dinner monthly for the Men’s Emergency Shelter, providing beds, nourishment and workforce development resources to help homeless men successfully rebuild their lives and achieve stable housing.
We participate in repairing and revitalizing homes for qualified homeowners through this Central Virginia nonprofit.
Tuckahoe has been hosting Rise Against Hunger events since 2015. Each year our members, family and friends come together to package thousands of meals as part of a global movement to end hunger. These meals empower communities, nourish lives and respond to emergencies. Children aged 4 through senior adults participate – and have fun doing so!
Every fall we assemble boxes of groceries, each containing the fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner for families in our community who can’t afford a special meal.
In 2005, Tuckahoe became involved with Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School in the city of Richmond. Members of our congregation serve as tutors and assistants in the classroom, write birthday cards for students, collect school supplies, recognize teachers and help meet the emergency needs of students and their families. Recently we have helped maintain the adjoining Bellemeade Outdoor Learning Center, which offers opportunities for children to connect to the natural world, explore, and bond, both within their families and to the wider community.
Each fall a team from Tuckahoe participates in the YMCA Bright Beginnings program, helping students prepare for the start of school with supply-filled backpacks, clothes and shoes.
We provide scholarships for gifted and talented youth from low-income families within the community. The scholarships enable these students to receive mentoring and attend summer programs that help them overcome obstacles and fulfill their potential. The efforts begin in middle school and usually result in a college education.
We love giving Christmas presents to needy children and seniors in our community. Past efforts have included providing clothing and educational toys for designated children in Richmond Public Schools and gifts for children with an incarcerated parent.
Our youth reach out to the community throughout the year with a variety of service projects.
We occasionally travel to distressed areas where we are put to good use repairing, cleaning and rebuilding.
