Grove Christian Outreach Center

Thanksgiving Market 2024! We provided nearly 200 local families with an opportunity to shop the Thanksgiving Market over a two day event. This is the second year we have offered the Market style event, vs the previous years of pre-boxing holiday offerings and distribution of identical packages to every family. The Market reflects the importance of dignity in selection of the foods one may choose for their family and friends. With selections including the standard Thanksgiving fare such as yams, macaroni and cheese, green beans and a variety of pies and various protein options, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Making a return this year, we also had an abundance of fresh produce such as fresh potatoes, tomatoes, greens and salad mix thanks to our generous partners at KelRae Farms.

In case you're ever wondering why it's so important that we provide FRESH food to our neighbors, Hippocrates said it best: "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."

It's true what they say: many hands make light work. The Gathering Place at Grove - Williamsburg’s first free grocery market, which offers a dignified shopping experience, free of charge, to vulnerable families across the region - was made possible by the generous donations of time, talent and treasure! Here's a look behind the scenes of building The Gathering Place!

ICYMI! Innovative Free Grocery Market – The Gathering Place – Opens in Williamsburg at Grove Christian Outreach Center! https://bit.ly/40Rrm1s

Low-income families in the greater Williamsburg region suffering from food insecurity now have a more dignified way to ensure no one in their household goes hungry thanks to the opening of The Gathering Place at Grove Christian Outreach Center on Nov. 20, 2024. The Gathering Place marks Williamsburg’s first free grocery market, which offers a dignified shopping experience, free of charge, to vulnerable families across the region. “We are overjoyed to officially open The Gathering Place and invite families to experience a grocery market designed to meet their needs with dignity and care,” said Katie Patrick, Executive Director of Grove Christian Outreach Center, during a ribbon cutting at the market. “This is more than a food resource; it’s a place of hope, connection and community.” The Gathering Place operates as a grocery store, empowering families to select food and household items that best suit their needs and preferences. Unlike traditional food pantries, this model offers fresh produce, dairy, proteins and pantry staples in an environment that feels welcoming and familiar – like a grocery store. Allowing families who have qualified to receive services from the Center to select items on their own also reduces food waste compared to traditional pantry models. The approximately 2,000-square-foot Gathering Place space was designed to alleviate the stigma often associated with receiving food assistance, making it a welcoming resource for families navigating challenging times. Regional grocery retailer Food Lion played an important role in the opening of The Gathering Place. The Center was selected to participate in The Great Pantry Makeover, an annual Food Lion Feeds event, where local Food Lion associates spent 30 days volunteering to complete The Gathering Place buildout and stock the shelves with more than 3,000 pounds of shelf-stable food. The Williamsburg Health Foundation was also a key supporter, helping to fund the installation of new, highly efficient refrigeration systems for storing fresh produce, dairy and other items.

BEFORE YOU COME . . . If you have never visited Grove Christian Outreach Center, please bring your proof of residency documents, such as a copy of a rent or lease statement or a utility bill. Your driver’s license and Social Security statement ARE NOT proof of residency documents.

Grove Christian Outreach Center’s Roaring Twenties Gala Raises Over $74,000 to Support Local Families in Need https://bit.ly/48U8YXC

Grove Christian Outreach Center’s Roaring Twenties Gala, held on November 2, 2024, brought the community together for an unforgettable evening filled with glamour, giving and goodwill...and raised over $74,000! The Roaring Twenties-themed celebration took attendees back in time to the Jazz Age, with vintage décor, flapper-inspired fashion and a live performance by the popular swing band, Good Shot Judy. The Center, which started out primarily as a food pantry operating out of a mobile home facility, has evolved over the last 20 years to also include services such as food delivery programs for household seniors, school supply drives for local families and holiday programs. "We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming generosity displayed by our community at this event and throughout the year," said Alexis Johnson, Committee Chairwoman for the Roaring Twenties Gala. "Every dollar we raised will have a meaningful impact on the lives served by the Center." The success of the Roaring Twenties Gala underscores the community’s enduring support and commitment to the Center’s mission. “Food is more than just nourishment for our neighbors,” said Katie Patrick, Executive Director of Grove Christian Outreach Center. “Food is love in its most essential form. Every dollar raised at this event, over the last two decades, and in the years to come, helps empower families, strengthen community and show love.”

Have an EMERGENCY? If you find yourself in an emergency situation outside of pantry hours, call us at 757-887-1100.

Looking for a great team building event or just something fun to do? Come join us and help sort toys in preparation for Christmas! Contact [email protected] to sign up or get more details!