Community Outreach
Want to get involved and looking to give back? Look no further!
Doylestown Presbyterian Church is committed to being the hands and feet of Christ by volunteering in our community to make it a healthier, safer place to live. We also strive to find ways to help those in need who may be far away, but are near to our hearts just the same.
See our local partners listed below to see how you can get involved.
Bethel Presbyterian Church
Philadelphia, PA
Our congregation supports Bethel’s weekly meal program in Philadelphia. Volunteers are needed to help twice a month on Saturdays with Bethel’s Community Meal. The time commitment is from 11 a.m. (leaving Doylestown) until returning home about 5:30 p.m. If you would like to help, you can sign up for a Saturday that works for you here: https://bit.ly/DPC-BPC
Caring for Friends
DPC volunteers meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month in Andrews Hall to pack meals for homebound friends in our area. If you are interested in donating food or volunteering, email dpc@dtownnpc.org.
Community Meal
The monthly Community Meal occurs at 12:00 pm each third Sunday of the month following 9:30 am worship service during the summer schedule, with our next meal on April 21. We join together with our own congregation, community members and our homeless guests for a time of food and fellowship. Those wishing to help by volunteering at the meal or by bringing food items can CLICK HERE to sign up today!
Food Drive
The need at our local food pantries is growing by the day during this time of crisis. DPC is hosting a monthly food drive for the Doylestown Food Pantry on the third Sunday of each month from 9:15 to 11 am. “Drive Thru Drop-off” is under the bridge on Mechanics Street or you can feel free to leave donations in the box inside the Mechanics Street entrance to the sanctuary under the bridge. Current needs can be found at https://bchg.org/donate-food-or-supplies/
Doylestown Food Pantry
470 Old Dublin Pike, Doylestown, PA 18901
Drop Off Hours: Wed., 5:30 pm – 8 pm; Thursday and Sunday, 10:30 am – 1pm
Thank you for helping those in need in our community!
Code Blue
A very grateful note of appreciation to all the volunteers who helped while the shelter was at DPC in February. The shelter requires 14 volunteers each night to run, meaning 210 positions were filled this month (645 for season). In addition, 3 volunteers are needed each night the shelter was open at DPC to provide and serve dinner, so 45 positions were filled. 22 members provided groceries and donations to support all the items needed to operate the kitchen during the month. It truly takes a village!
Contact the Coalition to Shelter and Support the Homeless (CSSH) at 1-866-390-0291 or visit their website and click on” Contact Us.”
Code Blue provides emergency shelter to homeless individuals in Central Bucks County on extremely cold nights. Doylestown Presbyterian Church serves as one of these shelters one month out of the winter. In addition to needing volunteers to help staff the shelter when it is open, Code Blue also needs assistance with things including administration, finance, supplies, transportation, community relations, volunteer coordination, training, homeless outreach, and risk management.
Ages: Adults
Care and Share Thrift Shoppes
Ongoing – Third Friday of the Month
On the third Friday of each month, DPC members volunteer at Care and Share Thrift Shoppes in Souderton. Tasks include greeting shoppers, folding and bagging items, helping customers, and many more. The thrift store’s proceeds go to charities supported by the Mennonite church. For more information, contact DPC at dpc@dtownpc.org. To sign up, click here: bit.ly/DPC-CS
Additional Opportunities
In addition to outreach opportunities organized directly by DPC, there are many ways to volunteer to help others in our community on a regular, ongoing basis as an individual or with your family. See below!
Bucks County Housing Group
Bucks County Housing Group in Doylestown is in need of volunteers to help in their food pantry on:
Wednesday 5:30 – 8 pm
Thursday 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Sunday 10:30 am – 1 pm
For more information, contact the volunteer coordinator at the Doylestown site at 215-345-4311 x101. There are also additional ways to volunteer, including helping with the Monday night Kids Club.
More information can be found on the BCHG website.
Ages: 10 to adult
Cradles to Crayons
Cradles to Crayons collects new or gently used toys, books, clothing, etc., for children living in homeless or low-income situations in Philadelphia. Volunteers help to sort and pack donations.
Families are welcomed:
Wednesday – Fridays, 10 am – 12 pm or 1 – 3 pm
Tuesdays, 6 – 8 pm
Select Saturdays, 10 am – 12 pm and 1 – 3 pm
Call 215-836-0958
Ages: 6 and older
Good Stuff Thrift Store
Located in Doylestown, Good Stuff Thrift Store sells gently used items to help support nonprofit organizations benefiting children, one of which is Hunting Park Christian Academy, whose mission is to provide a quality, affordable, Christian education to young people living in a diverse community. DPC currently provides scholarships to 4 students to attend Hunting Park, and partners with the school in many other ways.
You can help Hunting Park and the other great organizations that Good Stuff Thrift Store supports by donating clothing and accessories, household goods, toys, furniture, and many other items found in your house, or by stopping by to shop! The store is located at 3633 North Easton Road in Doylestown.
More information can be found on their Facebook page.
Habitat ReStore
Habitat’s ReStore is located in Warminster and sells new and gently-used home improvement goods, furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. The proceeds are used by local Habitat for Humanity affiliates to help build and renovate more homes and communities. If you’d like to volunteer at the Habitat ReStore, tasks include unloading deliveries, cleaning and testing donations, stocking merchandise and assisting customers.
Visit their website or the volunteer coordinator at 215.822.2812 x302 or volunteer@habitatbucks.org
Ages: 14 and older
Hunting Park Christian Academy
Doylestown Presbyterian Church has a strong relationship with Hunting Park Christian Academy, which provides a Christian-based education to children living in inner city Philadelphia. There are many ways to get involved, including tutoring in reading or math; teaching a lesson in art, music, or gym; giving a presentation at career day; assisting with mailings or other office work; or leading a biblical lesson during chapel time using drama, music, or dance.
For more info, please contact DPC at dpc@dtownpc.org
Philabundance
Philabundance is a food bank in Philadelphia that contributes to a broad spectrum of social services through food cupboards, emergency kitchens, shelters, daycare and senior centers and beyond. There are a variety of ways to volunteer, including in the Hunger Relief Center, the Community Food Center, and the Fresh for All program.
To learn more visit volunteer@philabundance.org, or call 215-339-0900.
VITA Education Services
VITA provides quality educational programs that help individuals gain skills that enhance their ability to deal with real-life situations, meet personal goals and become more self-determining and self-sufficient. Through literacy and decision-making programs, Vita brings learning to life for Bucks County adults, families and at-risk youth by helping them to develop skills that create opportunities for themselves, their families, and, in turn, the community. Volunteer opportunities exist in teaching Basic Literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL), and Decisions for Living (DFL). Volunteers are trained in each program to work with adults in the community or the Bucks County Correctional Facility. No prior teaching experience or knowledge of a foreign language is needed.
Visit their website or call 215-345-8322.
Ages: 21 and older