Serve Locally
Local Outreach Overview
You are invited to help impact the needs of homelessness and hunger in Marion County and surrounding areas. The Church and Community Teams help lead the way. We partner with seven local non-profit agencies to help offer relief, resource stability, and empower recovery and independence with neighbors in need. As the body of Christ, called the church, we understand our mission to be the same as that of Jesus on earth. Our purpose is to love and serve.
Habitat for Humanity, Neighbor to Neighbor, Fletcher Place Community Center, Soups On @ Roberts Park, Martin Luther King Community Center, and Family Promise/ Interfaith Hospitality Network are the local outreach organizations with whom we primarily partner.
There are many ways to serve throughout the year. To learn more or inquire further about our partner organizations and ways to serve, please contact the church office.
The Hansman Fund is also one way we week to impact local needs. Hansman grants are given to applicants from all over the city as they create innovative ways to serve this community.
Contact Rev. Mary Dicken if you would like more information.
Local Outreach Ministries we Serve
Meridian Street seeks to make an impact in the lives of people who are struggling with hunger and homelessness here in Indianapolis.
We have partnered with these local ministries to offer comfort and hope to those in need.
Review the calendars included in this brochure to see where you can help in the coming months.
Partners with families who come to stay in our church as they work to recover from homelessness. Cook, do laundry, clean-up, drive a van, play with kids, and much more!
Contacts:
Emily Webber - 317-602-2839 -
Ginny Stauffer - 317-257-3410 -
Sheila Akinleye - 317-490-9113 -
Fletcher Place Community Center
Fletcher Place strives to serve those in need in the neighborhood just east of Fountain Square. Current outreach includes hot meals for breakfast (Tues, Thurs, Fri) and dinner (Mon & Wed), pre-school, free store, senior lunch program, community garden, and a Christmas store. If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about these programs, please contact those listed below.
Contacts:
Frank Ricketts,
Fletcher Place Christmas Ministry
Gives parents a chance to shop for their children’s needs. New donations of clothing, toys and games are donated, transported and sorted by volunteers.
Habitat for Humanity
Brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. We participate in the United Methodist Central District build which includes 20 churches coming together to help a family realize their homeownership dreams.
Contact:
Phil McAlister,
Local Food Pantries
Help supplement meals for families by donating non-perishable food in the food box in Fellowship Hall. The food box is in Fellowship Hall. Donations are given to Vida Nueva and Fletcher Place Food Pantries. Also donate food at the Turkey Mobile during the annual church-wide Thanksgiving Dinner.
Contacts:
Bob and Heather Barr: or
Martin Luther King Community Center
Provides a safe and healthy place for students from the local Riley School #43, and the local area. Meridian Street partners with the MLKCC to assist in its programming including the after school homework assistance program “Homework Buddies.” The first role of a “Homework Buddy” is to be an encourager and mentor for the student.
Contact the church office at 317-253-3237 for additional information.
Neighbor Link Indy
Helps neighbors whose homes are unsafe and/or falling apart so they do not enter homelessness. Make lunch, connect with the homeowner, carry supplies, or help make repairs with support and coaching!
Contacts:
Dave Withey,
Jeanette Jefferis,
Soups On at Robert’s Park UMC
Serves a warm meal to 250 homeless and food insecure each Sunday at Noon. Help make, serve, and/or clean-up the meal on a Sunday or join the cook team to prepare the meal.
Contacts:
Whitney Scolnik,