Interfaith Committee for Social Services

In 2017, two St. Paul’s parishioners, Kathleen Megan and Judy Fenney, led a group of diverse faith-based organizations and congregations in the Delray area, to address the lack of homeless services in Delray Beach. The Delray Beach Interfaith Committee for Social Services had its first meeting on November 15, 2017, at St. Paul’s. Nine congregations including The Avenue Church, Cason UMC, St. Paul’s Episcopal, St. Matthew’s Episcopal, First Presbyterian Church of Delray, Church of the Palms, St. Vincent’s Ferrer Care Ministry, and Resurrection Life COGIC were in attendance. Also in attendance were the Delray Beach Police Department’s Community Outreach Team, Family Promise, and CROS Ministries Caring Kitchen.

Currently, the Interfaith Committee provides shower and laundry truck services, an emergency mail program, and financial assistance. The Committee attributes the success of their program to their collaboration with community partners. CROS Ministries Caring Kitchen provides hot nutritious meals, and the Delray Beach Police Department’s Community Outreach Team provides social service assistance to guests during Shower Truck operations. Representatives from Rebel Recovery, VA Homeless Outreach, the Health Care District, and PBC Hot Team also come onsite to provide wraparound services. Most importantly, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church graciously provides the space to host all of these collaborative services.

The Shower Truck Ministry is the hub of the Interfaith Committee’s outreach efforts. Volunteers are most appreciated and needed onsite at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church (located at 404 SW 3 rd St., Delray Beach), on Tuesday and Friday mornings, from 8:30-11:00 a.m. For more information, please contact Judy Fenney at Judyfenney1@gmail.com or Kathleen Megan at Kathleenmegan12549@gmail.com.