The Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministries

The G.W.C.M. Food Bank serves as a place for people to find help in their times of need. Office volunteers assist persons in connecting with existing social services, governmental agencies, community organizations, and other providers in order to meet their particular needs. After other sources are explored, the Cooperative Ministries also offers emergency food supplies.

The Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministries was formed in 1997 by eight local churches or faith communities. Their aim has been to cooperate in social ministries in order to meet identified needs in the community. They also meet to discuss mutual concerns and to work together in meeting them. The Food Bank was opened in response to the need for a common, public place at which residents can get help with social needs. Many social services are located outside the city, and people have no easily accessible place to go for assistance. The Seventh Day Adventist Church graciously offered space in their building, on the corner of Barber and Evergreen Avenues. Volunteers from the various churches maintain the space, and GWCM is “open for business” on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. Persons looking for assistance can visit the office or call them at 856-686-5816 during those hours.

Other ministries of the faith-based group are food distribution through the Colonial Manor United Methodist Church and Seventh-Day Adventist Church; and special services of worship to mark Lent/Easter, National Day of Prayer, and Thanksgiving. The faith communities active in the Cooperative Ministries include Central Baptist Church, Kemble Memorial United Methodist Church, Christ Episcopal Church, The Presbyterian Church at Woodbury, Colonial Manor United Methodist Church, St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, and Woodbury Friends Meeting.