The Society of St. Stephen is an outreach ministry initially established in 2003. It recognizes an early Christian disciple who spearheaded efforts of the struggling new church to take care of the temporal needs of its poorer members. Our motto, "A Helping Hand Up, Not a Hand Out," serves as a guide for this ministry.

The work of Society of St. Stephen is two-fold: First, there is the Food Pantry, from which food is distributed Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Second, Helping Hand Up enables clients to transition back to the work force and/or out of undesirable living conditions. Through various resources, we have helped clients find employment, pay necessary bills prior to receiving a first paycheck, or pay for transportation back home or to another support system.

Our organization provides individuals and families just enough assistance to facilitate "a helping hand" up from abysmal poverty. The clients, however, are not given carte blanche; rather, they receive "just enough," which most often consists of non-perishable groceries for three days and a referral for employment and/or other services. Back-to-work programs are a high priority for Society of St. Stephen. Restoring hope for individuals through gainful employment is essential for restoration of an improved quality of life. The ultimate goal at St. Stephen is to offer an interview process whereby individuals are given opportunities to explore possibilities and plot courses of action in order to reclaim their independence from public assistance.

The food pantry is open: