Zion UCC of Tremont
Drop-in Center & Meals Program

God is Still Speaking...

Through a small congregation with a really big heart.

Our Purpose:
The principal engine that drives the church's spiritual life is an evangelistic outreach. Community Outreach defines a church, sets it apart and follows the doctrine of Jesus Christ. If a church does not care about peoples' needs, why should it care about peoples' eternal destiny? If it exists not for meeting a community's needs, both spiritually and physically, but for only meeting its own needs. It's a club, not a church. We are Zion United Church of Christ of Tremont.

About our Program:
In November of 2006, we expanded our services to include a monthly Food Pantry, within a few months we added a handicap accessible area. Using the Choice method of distribution, we stock canned and dry food and supply frozen meats. Each household is provided enough to feed each member three nutritious meals. We offer produce, eggs and sundry items like shampoo, soap and toilet paper. Our Food Pantry is open on the last Wednesday of each month from 2 - 4 pm. Coffee and light refreshments are often provided while awaiting service.

In October 2004, we celebrated the one-year anniversary of our Saturday Meals Program. During 2004, we served 8,399 people at a total cost of $2,008.36 and not one cent of this money came from the church's treasury.
Our Meals Program is open on Saturday evenings from 4:30-6 p.m. We serve a full multi-course dinner including soup, salad and desert. We receive food and money donations from outside sources as well as from our congregation. Membership in the Cleveland Food Bank, where we get food either free or at below costs in large quantities, has helped immensely. Our average costs are well below one dollar per meal.

On Tuesday, October 7, 2003, our Drop-in Center officially opened it's doors to one person, by Thursday's Drop-in Center we had three guests. As word spread throughout the community our numbers have grown. We currently average about 30 visitors in an afternoon. Representatives from St. Mary's of Egypt Orthodox Mission use our Drop-in Center as a distribution point for their Food Pantry, distributing food bags and ready to eat bags (mostly snack items).Our Drop-in Center is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-4 p.m. We offer snack items (cookies, cakes, chips, fruit, pudding or cheese), sometimes a light meal, coffee and an alternative beverage (iced tea, fruit juice, lemonade or pop when available). We have television, games, cards, reading material and puzzles for use by our guests.

In addition, we received a grant from an anonymous donor, which provided an ice-maker, and other items for the church, representing a saving in money and time. Two refrigerators and three freezers were donated by Church Street Ministries of First Congregational UCC of Berea. We are supported in this ministry by West Park UCC who has pledged financial and voluteer service as they are able, Clague Rd. UCC Men's Group which serves at least once a month at our Saturday Meal, Dover Rd. UCC and many others. We have also been able to provide warm clothing and personal hygiene products, which were donated from various churches, organizations and individuals.

Our caring volunteers have helped many individuals beyond the Drop-in Center. They have made hospital visits, helped locate job opportunities, helped arrange temporary shelter, assisted with transportation and most of all cared. Beyond the weekly programs there have also been parties for Christmas and most recently the Super Bowl.
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My experience at the Zion Drop-in Center is of caring and giving by the staff and help. The TV and fellow patrons are a joy compared with the Storefront. The snacks and beverages are superior to other Drop-ins by far.

The people at Zion seem to care more for their patrons, than other places. Their food and give-away are also very helpful to those in need.

Your faithful friend in Christ,
John Sattler

March 24, 2005

I have been coming to the Drop-in almost from the beginning. It has been a blessing and a safe haven for lots of (mostly men - homeless) and women. The atmosphere is always pleasant and the surroundings clean. People, who show up, are hospitable and the staff friendly. The staff has also been a help to some single mothers and also with people who had a place to stay, by providing them with food on occasion to take with them. The environment of the Drop-in is relaxed. One can come in and read, eat, watch TV, play games (cards, chess, etc.) It truly is a place where East meets West. I like the fact that there is no separation in ethnic groups. It truly is a feeling of oneness.

Thank you; staff, for the hard work of putting together nutritious and abundant meals and thank you God for making all this possible.
Lorraine