For generations, First United Methodist Church of Port St. Joe has been active in helping meet the needs of those in our community, because we remember how Jesus told us that “whatever we do for the least of these” we have done for and to him. When the paper mill closed in 1997, dealing a devastating blow to our community, we founded the Methodist Care Closet to help the unemployed. Over the past two decades that ministry has grown to help so many needs in our community. In 2018, Hurricane Michael left the community with many needs in the wake of its destruction, and once again our members heard the call to do the work of Christ in the community. In response we formed Methodist Caring Ministries to continue the work of the Methodist Care Closet and our other Caring Ministries like Blessings Bags, the Charity Fund, and Book Buddies, but also to prayerful seek to meet other unmet needs in our community. The needs include addressing food insecurity in a greater way, encouraging greater mental health, strengthening our educational system, searching for solutions to systemic poverty in our area, and breaking down the barriers of race, neighborhood, and socio-economic class in our community.
Methodist Care Closet
The Methodist Care Closet offers clean and gently used clothing at reasonable prices or at no cost to families in need. The Care Closet as it is known to our community provides family friendly shopping in a supportive environment and is a powerful outreach to the Gulf County community. Residents and visitors also enjoy the boutique-style shopping resulting in revenues to reinvest in other community ministries operated by First United Methodist Church. This ministry is made possible through the donations of gently used clothing, household items, and dedicated volunteers. The Care Closet is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
214 Williams Avenue ,
Port Saint Joe, FL 32456
214 Williams Avenue ,
Port Saint Joe, FL 32456
Two Fish Food Market
Ending food scarcity in Gulf county.
Because of identified food insecurity in our community, the Methodist Caring Ministries opened Two Fish Food Market in April 2021. The Two Fish Food Market offers fresh, frozen, and staple food items to families who are identified as food insecure, using USDA guidelines. Two Fish operates as a “choice” food pantry that promotes the dignity of those seeking assistance, allows families to select food needed based on their household size, and eliminates waste. The Market is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
214 Williams Avenue ,
Port Saint Joe, FL 32456
214 Williams Avenue ,
Port Saint Joe, FL 32456
Book Buddies
Book Buddies is a partnership between Port St Joe Elementary School and FUMC with goals to build relationships with students, increase positive self-esteem, and to inspire an interest in reading. The program operates with teams of volunteers who bring into classroom special books, poems, songs, art project and pictures relevant to the student’s classroom learning environment. In addition, the volunteers provide special treats to students during recognized holidays, such as Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Blessing Bags
Growing up in poverty is one of the greatest threats to healthy child development. Poverty and financial stress can impede children’s cognitive development, and their ability to learn. It can contribute to behavioral, social, and emotional problems, and poor health. Since school year 2017, the MCM has supported a weekend backpack ministry for students who attend Port Saint Joe Elementary School (PSJES) and who are identified by their teachers as food insecure. This program became known as the Blessing Bags Ministry. In 2022, the Blessing Bags Program expanded to Port St Joe Middle/High School and serves students identified as in need by teachers and school health. In 2023, MCM became the only Summer Break Spot in Gulf County providing daily grab-in-go meals for children during summer break when free breakfast and lunch are not available. Bags are packed and delivered to schools each Thursday. The Summer Break Spot operates hours established for Two Fish Food Market, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Citizens of Gulf County Recovery Team
The MCM supports the work of the Citizens of Gulf County Recovery Team and
individuals who are recovering from the impact of Hurricane Michael and other natural disasters by providing in-kind office space and payments to vendors for direct assistance for families still recovering from Hurricane Michael or to prevent homelessness as recommended by the LTRO case manager
individuals who are recovering from the impact of Hurricane Michael and other natural disasters by providing in-kind office space and payments to vendors for direct assistance for families still recovering from Hurricane Michael or to prevent homelessness as recommended by the LTRO case manager
