Serving God in Our Community

Are you looking for a hands-on way to make a real difference in our local community? The St. Paul’s, Ivy–Mt. Calvary Food Pantry offers a meaningful opportunity to serve our neighbors in need while building relationships with fellow volunteers. Together, we join our hands and hearts in service, sharing Christ’s love through practical acts of care and compassion.

Our Food Pantry is held on the third Wednesday of each month in the St. Paul’s, Ivy Parish Hall, and volunteers serve in a variety of ways. Some help by purchasing groceries before distribution day, while others serve on distribution day itself to ensure everything runs smoothly. Distribution-day volunteers may help set up the pantry, accompany shoppers, bag groceries, carry bags to vehicles, or assist with cleanup and restocking afterward. With a variety of roles available, there is a place for everyone to serve in this important outreach ministry.

One simple way to support the Food Pantry is by helping stock its shelves. Each month, a new shopping list is posted, and you can sign up to purchase a few items or as many as you wish. Food Pantry grocery shopping bags are available in the back of the church on designated Sundays each month. Simply fill your bag with the items you selected and return it to the small kitchen off Neve Hall no later than the day before distribution. Click here to view this month’s shopping list.

Financial contributions are also greatly appreciated and help us respond to changing needs throughout the year. You can donate online by visiting our Give webpage, enter the amount you would like to donate, then select the “Food Pantry Fund” option from the drop-down menu, and complete and submit the form. Contributions by check may be placed in the Sunday offering plate (please write “Food Pantry” in the memo line) or mailed to:

St. Paul’s, Ivy Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 37
Ivy, VA 22945

Are you a Kroger shopper? By linking your Kroger Plus Card to St. Paul’s, Ivy through Kroger Community Rewards, you can help provide additional funding to stock pantry shelves and feed our neighbors. Simply search for our organization using code VF198.

New volunteers are always welcome! To learn more or indicate interest in serving in the Food Pantry ministry, please email the Food Pantry.

Serving the downtown area for over 30 years, the Christ Church Community Lunch offers a nourishing meal every Tuesday from 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. On every fifth Tuesday, the St. Paul’s, Ivy Community Lunch team gathers at Christ Church to provide a café style lunch to everyone who walks through the doors. A meal is not all we are serving at Christ Church — we are connecting on a personal level to offer hope and encouragement to all of God’s children. A welcoming environment, a warm hello and a good meal communicates the love of Christ in a profound way. For more information, please contact the church office.

For those not called to serve as advocates, there are many faithful and tangible opportunities to participate in a shared ministry that seeks the well-being of vulnerable children across our community.Consider making a donation to the PFCC on Venmo (@piedmontfcc), or by purchasing items on their Amazon Wish List. If purchasing items on Amazon, make sure to choose the Piedmont Family Care Closet’s gift registry address as your shipping address. (Donations of used clothing, car seats, porta cribs, or strollers, are not able to be accepted.)

For more information, visit the PFCC donation website  or email CASA at St. Paul’s, Ivy.

In this new partnership, Arc Studio and St. Paul’s, Ivy are bringing Arc Studio activities to western Albemarle County, expanding this vibrant ministry to welcome both adults and children. Together, we’re growing a creative community that will include new forms of art-making, hands-on community art programs, and the joyful addition of gardening and nature-based activities. The expanded programming will also extend Arc Studio’s work to include children with developmental disabilities, opening even more doors for creative expression and connection.

St. Paul’s campus will serve as a welcoming home base for these activities, a gathering place for weekend art-making, seasonal gardening and nature exploration, summer children’s art camps, art exhibits, and a variety of creative events throughout the year.

Volunteers will play a vital and joyful role alongside Arc leadership, helping to set up and tidy workspaces, prepare and share materials with artists, and offer hospitality through meals and refreshments. Depending on the day’s activities, volunteers may also assist with gardening and outdoor, nature-based programming. Because programming varies, volunteer hours will be flexible and primarily take place during the daytime. No artistic experience is needed, just a willingness to show up, a love of creativity, and a belief in the power of art to bring people together. Many volunteers find that they are inspired in the process, discovering their own creativity as they become part of this shared and flourishing ministry.

For more information, email the Arc Studio at St. Paul’s, Ivy.