Serve With First Church
Central Iowa Shelter, Des Moines
Central Iowa Shelter maintains a safe emergency shelter for men and women and, as a last resort, families. It is open to clients from 4:00 to 8:00 pm seven days a week, 365 days a year. An evening meal served by volunteers is provided each night. The second day of each month, members and friends of First Church prepare and serve the meal at the shelter.
Trinity Supper Club
The Supper Club at Trinity United Methodist Church provides a hot meal to homeless and low-income persons in a warm, caring atmosphere. About 75-100 meals are served each evening, six days a week. On the third Friday of each month, First Church members serve the supper. Volunteer work begins mid afternoon and is finished by 7:30 pm. Members and friends are encouraged to help as their schedule allows, even if they aren’t available until later in the day.
The Connection Café, Des Moines
Feeding the hungry and the homeless of downtown Des Moines is a priority. Between 120 and 150 homeless or low-income persons receive a free lunch through the Connection Café. Meals are served in a caring atmosphere, which preserves the dignity of those served. The fourth Monday of each month, First Church members serve a brown-bag lunch through the downtown Connection Cafe, prepared the previous Sunday by volunteers.
AMOS
AMOS (A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy): This coalition of more than 20 churches in Des Moines was organized to build relationships and empower citizens to make positive change in the community.
The Bridge
The Bridge: Seeking to enrich the lives of those working, living or visiting downtown Des Moines, the Bridge is the combined effort of four downtown churches – St. John’s Lutheran, St. Ambrose Catholic, St. Paul’s Episcopal, and First United Methodist.
Glimpses of Jubilee
First Church supports local United Methodist Ministries, including Bidwell Riverside Center, Hawthorn Hill, Children and Family Urban Ministries and others, by contributing kits and money, and by participating in the annual Glimpses of Jubilee Celebration.
Rebuilding Together
On the first Saturday in May, First Church joins a citywide effort to rehabilitate houses for low-income and/or disabled people in Des Moines.