Friends General Conference

Together we nurture the spiritual vitality of Friends

Peace and Social Action

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Working for Peace, Equity and Social Justice

Join us as we seek to increase awareness, advocacy, and action in support of NCFM's engagement with peace and social concerns.  Here you will find slideshows, videos, information, and links that may be of interest as you consider your work in this testimony.

NCFM works to support two local service organizations that serve our community: St. Sophia's Syriac Cathedral and Neighborhood Services. Information on these organizations and how to support them can be found below.

ST. SOPHIA FOOD OPERATIONS

The St. Sophia Syriac Cathedral meals program continues to serve about 200 meals per day (50 breakfast; 150 lunch), including about 200 cups of coffee.  They are serving meals inside as well as offering takeaway meals.  From its inception in 1991, the meals program has been an all-volunteer operation that now serves 46,000-50,000 homeless and low-income residents of the Weinland Park area per year. In addition to meals, services include counseling and emergency assistance.

Donations are nearly 100% from individuals and while contributions to the food operation tend to go up between Thanksgiving and Christmas, they decline sharply after the first of the year and during the summer months so the need for continued funding is critical.

Monetary contributions can be sent to St Sophia Syriac Cathedral, 1493 Indianola Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 (payable to “St. Sophia”). Direct donations of ground coffee and snacks are also welcomed.   Bishop Yuhanon has extended an open invitation to anyone to visit or join them for breakfast or lunch (Tues-Sun; no lunch Fri).  Feel free to contact him (614-702-9096) for more information about the program and how you can become involved.

NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES, INC. (NSI) FOOD PROGRAM

NSI aims to temper the ill effects of poverty by providing food and material assistance to persons in need in Columbus. They partner with Mid-Ohio Foodbank, local grocers, and organizations to offer a 5-day supply of food on each visit according to family size. In 2020, NSI Food Pantry served 10,277 families (336,821 individuals) and distributed 738,112 meals. NSI Food Pantry utilizes several programs to provide basic need assistance to our neighbors. Neighborhood Services, Inc. operates a Food Pantry, EFSB rent/utility application site, Senior food box delivery, AARP tax aide, A Good Start for All pre-K and after school program, The Largest Table - St. John's United Church of Christ weekly homeless feeding program, Holiday Food Basket program (Easter and Thanksgiving), Christmas Toy Adoption program and Back to School backpack program. These programs provide access, intervention, and stabilization for people experiencing a crisis. Neighborhood Services, Inc. seeks assistance as they add another day to the food pantry operations and increase the senior delivery program. Their goal is to serve one million meals this year.

ADDRESS:

1950 N 4th St, Suite J/K, Suite J/K Columbus, OH 43201

PHONE:

(614) 297-0592

WEBSITE:

https://www.nsifoodpantry.org

TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/NSIFoodPantry

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/NSIFoodPantry/ 

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Committee Description:

This is a committee that:

  • Promotes Meeting activities and events that relate to the Quaker Testimonies of Peace, Community, and Stewardship.
  • Monitors peace and social action activities occurring in Columbus and among other Quaker organizations, e.g., AFSC, FCNL, FWCC, LEYM committees, etc.
  • Informs Meeting of peace and social concerns and/or recommends actions when appropriate.
  • Addresses concerns related to improving social conditions or social issues such as peace, pacifism, prejudice, civil liberties, prison conditions, ecological concerns, etc.

All are welcome to join! If you have questions, please contact ncfmpsaclerk@gmail.com