Serve Locally

GROWING PEOPLE IN CHRIST...
WAYS TO SERVE

Growing in Christ at Salem means that we are both gathered and sent. We gather around God’s Word and Sacrament at worship on Sundays, and then we are sent out to love and serve God’s world with the rest of our week.

Salem partners with the Bethel United Methodist Church food ministry by collecting non-perishable goods for their pantry. Suggested items for donation are below.

Canned Foods

  • corn
  • peas
  • sweet potatoes
  • yams
  • green beans
  • spinach
  • mustard greens
  • collard greens
  • baked beans
  • spaghetti
  • carrots
  • salmon
  • other meat items
  • cranberry sauce and all kinds of fruit

 

Boxed and Dried Foods

  • breakfast cereals
  • stuffing
  • macaroni and cheese
  • cornbread
  • cake mix and frosting
  • pancake mix
  • dry noodles
  • Ramen Noodles
  • instant potatoes
  • rice
  • spaghetti
  • black eyed peas
  • and
  • all kinds of beans

Midwest Food Bank seeks to alleviate hunger and poverty by delivering food and disaster relief free of charge. Salem organizes a group to serve at Midwest Food Bank through the year at the Peoria Division.

Salem members serve as tutors, Pen-Pals with the third grade classes, and reading helpers with Kindergarten through fourth graders. Also, the Salem Family supports C.T. Vivian Primary School with Box Tops for Education, food baskets for families at Christmas, and lifting them in prayer.

The Center for Prevention of Abuse exists to help all people—women, men and children—live free from violence and abuse. Salem serves the center every November by hosting a “pajama party.” Salem members donate pajamas, personal care products and cash donations to help those suffering abuse.

Crittenton Centers’ mission is to protect and nurture children and families.

Currently, Crittenton Centers’ needs are diapers, formula, wipes and basic need baby supplies.

 

Serving Illinois since 1867, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is a nonprofit social service organization of the three Illinois synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). LSSI is one of the largest statewide social service providers. The organization provides critical programs for over 50,000 Illinois residents each year, including foster care, mental health services, alcohol and drug treatment, affordable senior housing, residential programs for people with developmental disabilities, and services that help families who have been impacted by incarceration.