Community Ministries
The Community Ministries team seeks to respond to God’s love for us in Jesus Christ by sharing our gifts and ministering to those in the community with spiritual and physical needs. With a focus on women and children we identify critical needs and opportunities that exist within the community and then allocate funds and help members of BPC become involved where God is already working. Opportunities to serve are limitless. Contact us if you would like to become involved.
To Our House
To Our House (TOH), operated through New River Community Action, provides winter shelter for adults who are unhoused in the New River Valley. Blacksburg Presbyterian Church has partnered with TOH for over 10 years by providing shelter, meals, showers, and transportation for one or two weeks during the winter season.
Sign up here to volunteer for January 13 - 27, 2024.
For more information visit https://newrivercommunityaction.org/to-our-house/
Helping Neighbors
Volunteers from our congregation meet with folks living in the New River Valley who call the church when they are experiencing a difficult time in their lives. We listen and care about their life stories and walk alongside them as they make a plan to solve problems. When possible, we refer folks to and partner with community services in the area. If you would like to talk with one of our volunteers, call the church office to make an appointment.
Critical Resources
Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program (MCEAP) assists Montgomery County residents in maintaining their households and restoring their self-sufficiency. This can be achieved by serving the immediate, emergency, and temporary needs of low-income, unemployed, elderly or handicapped individuals and families. For emergency assistance in Radford/Fairlawn, and neighboring counties, click here.
The Montgomery County Baby Shop
We provide the basic needs of small children when there is a hardship for families. The MCBS is a collaboration between St. Paul United Methodist Church of Christiansburg and Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
Blacksburg Interfaith
Food Pantry
A group of volunteers helps out at the food pantry one Monday each month, distributing food to residents of Blacksburg who are in need. We also collect food donations a few times a year. The Blacksburg Interfaith Food Pantry is a joint ministry of over twenty-five churches in Blacksburg of varying denominations.
Woodchucks
The Woodchucks cut, split, and deliver donated wood at no cost to folks in Montgomery County who cannot afford to heat their homes. This past winter, the Woodchucks delivered 148 truckloads of firewood. The Woodchucks also deliver Christmas baskets, provided by the BPC congregation, to clients with the greatest needs.
Want to get involved? The Woodchucks welcome anyone who wants to participate, with the exception of children due to safety issues. The Woodchucks work year-round on Thursday and Saturday mornings starting at 9 AM (8:30 AM in the summer) for approximately 3 hours. Contact Mike Harvey if you have any questions or would like to participate at M.L@harveybiz.com.
Local Support
BPC is connected in different ways in the New River Valley. Listed are a number of organizations that BPC gives to in time and/or resources. If you are interested in connecting with the BPC Community Ministries team please contact us.
Blacksburg Refugee Partnership
Assistance with Housing in the NRV
New River Family Shelter
Women's Resource Center of the NRV
Community Health Center
NRV Cares
Virginia CARES (Community Action Re-Entry System - assists in the successful reentry and de-institutionalization of felons)
Valley Interfaith Child Care Center
Virginia Mortgage Relief Program
New River Community Action
The Habitat Houses on Church Street
As a way to address the affordable housing shortage in Blacksburg, BPC donated a portion of our land to build townhomes for Habitat for Humanity. Learn more from this celebratory video starting at 10:55.
