Barbara Smith
Community Service Leader
We are dedicated to serving our community by providing essential resources to those who visit our pantry. Our commitment extends to a diverse range of individuals, and we approach everyone with respect and compassion. In addition to food, we offer clothing, coats, shoes, and household items. While we primarily serve the 23224 zip code, our services are available to anyone in need. All recipients must complete a brief form, and those seeking USDA food provided by the Food Bank of Richmond must meet specific requirements.
At Ephesus Community Service, we strive to embody Christ’s love by listening to our community, taking time to address their needs, praying with them, and showing compassion. As a guiding principle, we believe that people should see Christ in us, and through the Spirit of God, we are led to meet the needs of our community.
Working Together to Serve Our Community
Barbara Smith, Ephesus Community Service Leader (to the left), and Ana Puckett, Feed More Regional Manager of the Richmond City Area (to the right).
Serving Days & Hours
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
from 10 AM - 1 PM
Call the church for more information
804-233-5201
Clothing Ministry
Our Clothing Ministry is lead by Pat Bennett (on the right) along with her husband, Stanford Bennett.
Leola Fields (on the left) is a Community Service helper.
We collect gently used (clean) to new clothes. We also collect shoes and house hold items.
Clothing Ministry Testimonials
"'I Am My Brother’s Keeper' is what comes to mind in reference to the Ephesus SDA Church Clothing Ministry, and what we strive to do in assisting those in need." Pat Bennett, Clothing Ministry Leader
There’s the client who comes to us in her sock feet, seeking clothing, but makes no mention that she needs shoes; and we are able to provide her with both clothing and shoes to fit her.
Then there’s the senior citizen who is visiting our booth for the first time, who lost all her winter clothing when moving to a new residence. She breaks down in tears, thanking us for providing her with the much-needed clothing.
Then there’s the homeless client who’s in need of personal hygiene items and undergarments (they ask regularly, but we are rarely able to provide what they need in this category).
Or the mother who has no winter coat for herself or her child, and we manage to have just the right size available for both (that can only be God).
Or the mother who has finally been able to move her family out of a hotel into an apartment. Not only is she in need of clothing for herself and her children, but she informs us that there is no furniture in the apartment, and they are sleeping on the floor. The Clothing Ministry provides the family with clothing, household items and refers mom to an agency that will provide her with beds and for the children (but God).
Or the person who has just been released from prison, with only the clothes on his/her back, and we are able to provide them with some essentials (clothes and maybe even footwear).
Or the family who has been displaced due to a fire and in need of everything. Then they come back to us when they are able to move into a residence, and give us a list of what they need, and we provide as much as we can, over and above clothing.
Last, but not least, our asylum seekers or immigrants, just arriving in the area with basically nothing. Often times, they don’t speak English, which creates a language barrier. Nonetheless, we do what we can to assist them, as best we can.
God has placed many people and organizations in the Clothing Ministry’s path, to provide us with just what is needed by the clients that we serve from week to week. Sometimes its on the very day that we have a special need, that God provides exactly what is required. And because of that, we know that we are doing His will.