04/28/2026
ST. BARNABAS FOCUSES ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT
St. Barnabas began its support of the “Night by Night Shelter” in Westminster during the Covid pandemic. Typically, we have assisted shelter residents by providing them with snacks, paper products and hygiene goods donated by parishioners.
Several years ago, a small group at church began making bag lunches for the shelter every month. The lunches consist of a sandwich, chips, cookies, apple sauce, and a bottle of water. Currently, we provide the shelter with 60 lunches per month.
Additionally, St. Barnabas participates in the E.S.C.A.P.E. Ministries program that gives weekly bagged lunches to people in need in the Sykesville/Eldersburg area. Each of the 16 churches supporting the program provides lunches four times per year, making 48 bags each time.
The 7-8 volunteers from St. Barnabas make the lunches in the parish hall and then deliver them to St. Paul's Methodist Church in Sykesville for distribution. This group of people not only supports an important outreach program, but they look at their time together as an excellent opportunity for fellowship.
St. Barnabas has supported the Salvation Army’s Feedmore Van program for many years, handing out meals and clothing to the homeless in Baltimore City. Currently, the church works with the van twice a month, serving approx 50-70 meals per visit. The van operates six nights per week, with support from other churches and organizations.
A big shout out and thanks for their help to our volunteers: Pat Lochran, Charlene and Steve Toth, Linda and Wayne Pugh, Noah Pugh, Esther Mercer, Jeanette Ravendhran, Bonnie Briscoe, Lisa Thomas and Ava Walczak.
