Bridesburg UMC in northeast Philadelphia, established in 1834, provides food to about 250 families from the 19134 and 19137 ZIP codes, through the Bridesburg Community Food Pantry, located on its lower level. The church is fighting hunger in an area where nearly 700,000 people are food-insecure.

Bridesburg UMC, which collaborates with partners in the Bridesburg Council of Churches, sponsored an annual concert in April and has benefitted from the Delaware River City Corp. Holiday Food Drive in December to help raise money for the food pantry’s support.

“I rely on the food bank for my parents, because they’re ill,” said Agnes Siemieniuk, who lives near the church. “I never in my life thought I would need to rely on a food bank.” View a video about the church’s ministry.