Here is a sampling of what we do:

Food packing at Food Outreach
Contribute food to Circle of Concern food pantry
Grow food for Circle of Concern
Build a Community Garden to which our neighbors belong
Christmas meals and presents for families at Lydia’s House and SouthSide Early Childhood Center
Provide food for children who often spend the weekend without enough food through Buddy Packs
In lieu of Sunday worship, GO! Sunday one Sunday each May when we go out into the community to serve.
Financial contributions to all these organizations and more

As a PC(USA) certified Hunger Action Congregation Faith Des Peres was featured in a November 2019 Presbyterian News Service Article.

A Sampling of Other Organizations We Support:

• Doorways: A St. Louis agency that provides housing for people living with HIV/AIDS.

• Food Outreach: A St. Louis agency that provides food for people living with HIV/AIDS and cancer.

• Lydia's House: A St. Louis agency that provides long-term housing for women and children affected by domestic violence.

• Southside Day Nursery: A St. Louis agency that provides support for children living in south St. Louis.

• More Light Presbyterians: A National non-profit organization dedicated to allowing the full participation of LGBTQIA+ people in life, ministry, and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and in society.

• TWIGS: a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization helping feed children in the Metro East area of Illinois, Southern Illinois and the metro St. Louis area

Faith Des Peres' Community Garden

If you'd like more information about our Community Garden, please click on the applicable links below.

Community Garden Application
Community Garden Agreement

We Grow to Serve!

In 2011 we kicked off the inaugural year of our community garden.  Twenty-five plots were tilled and produced vegetables and flowers for the gardeners and the community.  The "give away" garden produces beans, lettuce, tomatoes, squash and pumpkins for Circle of Concern Food Pantry.

In 2016 we had another successful growing season! An irrigation system was put in and a fence keeps out the critters.    

In 2020 we will open our relocated brand new community garden.

Check with us in the spring for available plots by contacting Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church at 314-432-8029 or e-mail Jim if you are interested. The cost for plots this year are $25/plot for the growing season.  

Buddy Packs

Many families struggle to eat healthy meals and snacks every day. The children in these families often go to school hungry in the morning and return home at the end of the day with little hope of having another hot meal until the next day at school. Even more disheartening, the availability of healthy meals and snacks over the weekend is frequently the exception rather than the rule.

Buddy Packs is a community ministry program sponsored by Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church intended to provide weekend meal assistance to children in the University City school district.

How Does Buddy Packs Work?

The church works with schools to identify children whose families want to participate; or families may contact the school principal to learn if they qualify for the program.

A parent or guardian is required to sign a permission form for a child to participate in Buddy Packs. If there is more than one child in a family, a separate permission form is required for each child.

Throughout the school year, the church delivers a packs of nutritious food and snacks for the participating children to take home in their backpacks. The youngsters pick up the food in a designated, secure location. Participation in the program remains confidential, to the extent possible, to protect the children's privacy. 

There is no charge for a child to become a Buddy Pack participant; this is a free service sponsored by Faith Des Peres. 

What is in a Weekend Buddy Pack?

Nutritious food for breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks for the weekend are provided. Hot or cold cereals, breakfast bars, macaroni and cheese, chicken or vegetable soup, canned vegetables, spaghettios, ravioli, apple sauce, fruit cups, pudding, pretzels, animal crackers, and juice are examples of the items in the weekend meal packs. Parents are asked if there is a microwave oven and a can opener in the home. They also are asked if their child has any food allergies. 

How Can I Help and Learn More?

Food and/or monetary donations are always welcome and can be sent or brought to:

Buddy Packs
Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church
11155 Clayton Road
Frontenac, MO 63131
314-432-8029

You may also contact the church office or the pastor for more information about Buddy Packs.

Feeding the Flock collection takes place on the first Sunday of every month, which is also Communion Sundays. On these Sundays, the children of the congregation gather together and pull a wagon through the Sanctuary, collecting food for our outreach facility, Circle of Concern. After the service, the Feeding the Flock ministry sorts through the donations and takes them to Circle of Concern.

While we are spiritually fed at Christ’s table, we are called to physically feed others. This is an important outreach ministry of Faith Des Peres, and is one that gets everyone involved. The children learn about giving and participating in mission ministries.  Even if you're not present that day, you can always donate food to Circle of Concern by dropping food off at the church or taking it in yourself.  

 Each year we purchase gifts and gift cards for families and children at Lydia’s House and SouthSide Early Childhood Center. Collection begins in November so gifts may be dedicated and delivered in early December.