Three Pennington churches recently joined forces to launch their first Interfaith Missions project, donating more than 130 boxes of breakfast cereal to the food pantry at Trenton Rescue Mission.
First Baptist Church of Pennington, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, and Pennington United Methodist Church collaborated on the effort, working together to support their neighbors in need.
Trenton Rescue Mission has long served as a refuge for those struggling in the city, offering food, shelter, and essential services. Its food pantry provides groceries to more than 70 families each week at no cost. In addition to meals, the mission offers mental health and addiction counseling, clothing, health assistance, and housing support.
The three churches plan to continue their contributions to the food pantry as part of their ongoing interfaith mission.
“We at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church are excited to partner with our neighboring churches in Pennington!” said Cheryl Watterson of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. “We are hoping to serve our greater community while making connections with other service-minded people in our area. St. Matthew’s has been a long-time supporter of the Rescue Mission, with many riders from our church raising money through the Battle Against Hunger bike ride since 2003. We have also donated extra clothing and items from our annual Rummage Sale for many years. We hope to continue supporting the Rescue Mission because they provide so many needed services to those in need in Trenton. We are grateful for the opportunity to help stock their food pantry along with our friends from other local churches.”
Natisha Bell, clerk of First Baptist Church, emphasized the importance of their collaboration. “First Baptist is a small church on Academy Street, but we strive to make a huge impact as we branch out to serve and give back to various charities with our neighboring churches in Pennington,” said Bell. “Rescue Mission is a deserving charity to give to because they assist with providing food, shelter, and other services to various individuals from every walk of life. The Rescue Mission is following the blueprint of what God enabled Jesus to do, and that’s what we are striving to exemplify in our interfaith ministry project.”
The churches encourage others in the community to join them in their mission to support those in need. Please contact one of the three churches to find out more.
Photos: Working together, representing three Pennington churches: Cheryl Watterson, and Phyllis Jones, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church; Donna Costanzo and Julie Aberger, Pennington United Methodist Church; Tish Bell, First Baptist Church of Pennington
