Solidarity + Social Change

Solidarity + Social Change Working Group

Justice is at the core of South Presbyterian Church’s mission and has been for years. From being the first “More Light” Presbyterian Church welcoming LGBTQ persons in lower NY state in the 80’s to starting the Midnight Run program for the homeless in the 90’s to starting the Roots &Wings sustainability program in Westchester in 2011 to being the first church to offer Safe Sanctuary to an immigrant family in 2018, South has been courageous in its compassion for all humanity.

We follow the ways of Jesus by building solidarity with less-privileged communities by offering our support in multiple ways. As the original “community organizer,” we also see the life of Jesus as our best example of courage and sacrifice for the good of others. We follow that lead by participating in advocacy that brings social change to the Rivertowns, Westchester County, our state and nation.

This working group meets after worship one Sunday a month. Contact Anna Maria Epstein or Patricia Fischer

The Food Pantry

In response to the growing demand for food assistance in the Rivertowns, The Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry at South Presbyterian Church formed in January of 2011. The Pantry serves everyone who expresses need, regardless of residency status, religious belief or affiliation.

The Pantry is hosted by South Church and run by dedicated volunteers from Dobbs Ferry, Hastings on Hudson and Ardsley.

All of the money donated to the pantry is used to purchase items that go directly to those who need assistance.

The pantry is open every Tuesdays from 10am to noon. On average, we serve 20-25 families per week – approximately 125 individuals – including many young children.

The Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) organization, so contributions and donations are fully tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.

For more information, and to learn more about how you can help, please visit the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry’s own web site.

Roots & Wings

The ethics of permaculture—people care, earth care, and fair share—inform every aspect of Roots & Wings.

The Kitchen Garden, the community garden they maintain located behind South Church, donates a portion of its harvest each week to the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry. Roots & Wings CSA partners with FABLE: From Farm to Table—a nearby organic farm—to bring fresh local produce to the Rivertowns, with shares donated to the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry. They collaborate with other local organizations to show films, host lectures, offer gardening workshops, provide permaculture training, encourage local sustainability efforts, and explore the spiritual dimension of reconnecting with the earth.

This initiative began with help from a grant from Hudson River Presbytery’s 2020 Vision Fund, which challenges congregations to explore new ways of being church and engaging the community outside church walls.

All programs are open to the public.

Visit the Roots and Wings web page to learn more about current programs.

Programs We Support

South Church supports and is involved with many programs for social change including:
CLUSTER
Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry
Midnight Run
Mzuzu Academy
Roots & Wings
Safe Sanctuary