Resources for Community Serving Programs ( 15 % of the total )
Rural churches serve their communities in a number of ways : sharing space with local organizations ; volunteering with others or hosting their own volunteer activities ; providing financial and in-kind support to operate programs in areas such as food security , health , education ; or providing support to secular organizations working in these areas .
Individual impact of community serving programs
Service
Total number of people served
Value per instance
Suicide prevention 44 $ 53,059 Prison prevention 37 $ 30,180 Secure a job 65 $ 28,123 Care for elderly 84 $ 20,328 Immigrant sanctuary 1 $ 11,860 Prevent drug overdose 49 $ 11,731 Help seeking drug / alcohol treatment 119 $ 10,822 Prevent divorce 48 $ 1,800 Social connection 405 $ 1,248 Help to leave abusive situation 34 $ 1,094 Teach pro-social values in youth 901 $ 390 Make referral to social service agency 375 $ 100 Refugee support 93 — Obtain a new home 0 — Start a business 4 — Workforce development 14 —
For example , the majority of congregations studied served the community directly through food programs such as community gardens , food banks , food pantries , box lunches , hot meals , etc . Changes in infrastructure has exacerbated issues related to food insecurity . The diminishing number of grocery stores , creating food deserts , coupled with the lack of public transportation makes food inaccessible for many of those living in the rural South . Innovative community programs such as the ones provided by rural congregations are particularly important for rural residents who live in food desserts . 20
The majority of congregations also serve the community through youth programs -- offering or partnering to provide activities for the youth in their community such as youth group , afterschool programs , summer camps , and other activities . Resources such as backpacks filled with meals and supplies are also provided to foodinsecure students .
Additionally , congregations offer meeting spaces to other community and non-profit organizations and assist low-income community members and
20 Piontak , J . R . & Schulman , M . D . ( 2014 ). Food insecurity in rural America . Contexts , Vol 13 ( 3 ), pp . 75-77 . DOI 10.1177 / 1536504214545766
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