Harundale Presbyterian Helps Local Homeless, Needy Families

The congregation of Harundale Presbyterian Church not only professes a love for Jesus and a belief that Jesus loves everyone—they strive to put their words into actions by reaching out to the homeless and underprivileged families in Anne Arundel County.

Tracey Davenport has pastored at the church for the past four years, and explained that she looks to both biblical teachings and the writings of St. Francis when leading her church in community service.

“It is very important that we show the love of God for people in tangible ways, using our gifts and talents, and our hands and feet to offer help,” said Davenport. “St. Francis said, 'Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.' If we love Jesus, and we believe Jesus loves people, then how could we not help?”

Harundale Presbyterian reaches out to the homeless and needy through multiple ministries such as giving away groceries through their food pantry program, serving lunches to the community twice a week, and hosting shelters for the homeless in times of poor weather.

Paula Garrett serves on the Outreach Committee at the church, and said that the church provided groceries to more than 1300 families in 2010 through their food pantry program. According to Garrett, the church also recently set up a shelter for homeless individuals during Hurricane Irene, serving meals and providing sleeping arrangements to 44 people through the course of the storm.

“Sometimes people act like homeless people shouldn't be hanging out at the church,” Garrett said. “If we don't let these people inside, who will?”

“We truly want to minister to people in our community who are in need. We're looking to include everybody. Our mission is pretty basic—we just want to love people and meet their needs,” Garrett said.

Harundale Presbyterian also works with local charities such as Habitat for Humanity, Arundel House of Hope and Happy Helpers for the Homeless, seeking to expand their reach by partnering with local organizations who assist the homeless.

“It is vitally important to me that Harundale Presbyterian Church take care of those in need, first of all because of the biblical mandate to do so,” Davenport said. “Jesus tells us in the book of Matthew that whatever we have done to the least of these our brothers and sisters—like feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, and taking care of the sick—we have done it to him.”

Harundale Presbyterian Church is located at 1020 Eastway in Glen Burnie (next to the North County Public Library). For information about the service schedule, events calendar, or ministries of Harundale Presbyterian Church, visit the church website, or call the church at 410-766-4338.