United Ministries of Sumter County
This ministry offers assistance, information and referral services to those in need. Assistance is often financial but can also include helping clients learn how to budget their money or where to go for help with housing needs, etc. A paid director supervises this program, but volunteers are needed in a variety of areas: to register the clients as they arrive, to interview and help decide on the appropriate way to assist a client; to answer the phones, provide clerical help, or sort donations. First Presbyterian was one of the founding congregations for this county-wide ministry and a portion of our local benevolence money helps fund this ministry. For someone looking for an avenue of service, please consider helping at this ministry. If assisting as a volunteer on site is not possible, your help is still needed by making donations of food and personal care items to help the clients. Boxes for these donations are located outside the fellowship hall.

Samaritan House
Samaritan House is a temporary shelter for the homeless. Our youth groups take supper to this House on a regular basis as well as help with other basic needs. If you can help provide a meal or such things as sheets or towels, please call Grace Timms at the church.

Habitat for Humanity
As a founding congregation for the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, this congregation has continued to support this ministry through money and volunteers to build homes for the working poor. First Presbyterian has sponsored, either as a single congregation or with other Sumter County Presbyterian churches, the building of more than fifteen homes. All skill levels are needed when building a home, the most important qualification is a willing spirit. Other assistance needs for this ministry include clerical help as well as those willing to help mentor the recipient families.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
PDA is a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA). It provides hands on help as well as financial assistance in places both nationally and worldwide affected by natural disasters such as hurricanes, flood and famine as well as other situations. Your participation is welcomed and encouraged when this church sends a crew as part of this ministry into a disaster affected area and when special offerings are received in support of this ministry. To learn more about PDA, as well as find information about the places where this ministry is currently at work, please go to www.pcusa.org/pda.