Local Service

In response to Jesus’ call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give a drink to the thirsty, congregants are active in a wide range of local organizations and service opportunities.

FMC Food Pantry: Several times each month, a team of congregants provides a grocery delivery service to households referred by Empty Tomb.  The FMC Food Pantry Donation List of needed items is available and donations from this list are accepted by FMC year-round.

Little Food Pantry: Located on the north side of our fenced yard (green space)  to the west of FMC. The Little Food Pantry relies on FMC volunteers to donate items. It is frequently used, and items are refreshed at least two or three times a week even during school breaks. Donations are appreciated and should be new and in small unit sizes (no glass containers).  Click here for a list of frequently needed food and toiletries/household items.

2025 Medical Debt Relief Campaign: In the first quarter of 2025, First Mennonite led a community fundraising effort to forgive medical debt in East Central Illinois by partnering with non-profit Undue Medical Debt (UMD) to relieve medical debt for the most vulnerable – people below 4x the poverty line or whose medical debt is at least 5% of their annual income. Because UMD is able to purchase debt portfolios at a substantial discount, medical debt for thousands of people can be erased at once. Our fundraising goal was $20,000, but the community response was overwhelming. Together we raised $52,333.52, which will relieve $8,006,383.88 for 5,725 neighbors in East Central Illinois counties and a few additional counties with the greatest need! Undue Medical Debt sent letters of medical debt forgiveness to recipients in May 2025. View the medical debt relief report and also learn more about medical debt in the United States.

FMC currently supports the following organizations, including a commitment to financial aid, learning about their work, and participating if possible: