OUTREACH & MINISTRIES | first-and-central

Outreach &

Ministries

At Home

Our mission is to seek the challenges of the city and to be a part of downtown Wilmington as we live into the realities of urban life.

1 in 7B Mobile Shower Volunteering - NEW Location

F&C will be supporting our friends at 1 in 7B again this year by making lunches and working at the mobile unit be providing shower and laundry services. The new location for the mobile unit is sat the SsAM parking lot, 719 N. Shipley St. We are currently scheduled for the first Saturday of the month through November. As we open for Winter Sanctuary the first Saturday in November, it will be a double shift of volunteers (6-10 a.m. at the Church, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at SsAM. The first week of Winter Sanctuary has typically been light on guests (40) and we wouldn’t have to provide showers because they can get a shower at 1 in 7B, weather permitting. We will not be volunteering in September as Mark takes his trailer to the Bluegrass Festival as a fundraiser.

To volunteer, click here.

For more information, please contact John Ferrante.

Summer Sanctuary -- June 27 -August 29

During Summer Sanctuary, F&C opens Memorial Hall to provide our neighbors in need with a place to get out of the heat on Saturday afternoons from 1 to 5 p.m. Thank you to all of the volunteers who made this year's Summer Sanctuary such a welcoming and caring place,

To volunteer, click here.

For more information, please contact John Ferrante.

Winter Sanctuary -- November 7 - March 27

Volunteers — SignUpGenius is ready and waiting!

If you already know your fall and Winter schedule, we’re recruiting for Winter Sanctuary. Go ahead and sign up for your Saturday morning volunteer slot!

Early risers? We can use you for the 5:30 AM shift.

Like to sleep in? No problem — we have later morning slots available too!

Every shift makes a difference, and we’d love to have you join us. Pick a Saturday that works for you and sign up!

For more information, please contact John Ferrante.

Wilmington Kitchen Collective: In May of 2022, First & Central became an official part of this community development program, which provides culinary entrepreneurs access to commercial kitchen space. This is a partnership with the Wilmington Alliance, Grace United Methodist Church, and the Riverfront Church. Meet our entrepreneurs!

Giving Tree: During the Sundays in Advent, First & Central congregants donate gift cards, food, clothing or other products for distribution to organizations and programs with whom we partner. In 2025, recipients included St. Peters Cathedral School; the Guatemala Project/NC Presbytery Partner-ship; Healthy Village Equity Center at St Francis Hospital, and AIDS Delaware. Although the Giving Tree is Advent-focused, donations to all of these programs are welcomed year-round. Click here to give.

Meals on Wheels: This renowned program delivers hot meals to the homebound. A First & Central member and pastor brought Meals on Wheels to Wilmington 40 years ago, and it continues to be an important volunteer opportunity for our members.

Serving special youths: In cooperation with PFLAG of Delaware and various schools' Gay-Straight Alliances, we have hosted Prom-style dances for the LGBTQIA+ youths in our community. As well, in partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware, we hosted a Valentine's Day Dance.

I was originally drawn to First & Central to join the choir, and I realized my spiritual journey also would include the opportunity to serve the poor in the urban setting of which this church is an integral part.

Mac

We're in the news! WPVI, the local ABC affiliate, featured Winter Sanctuary and Ellen Oiler in a segment of Hometown Heroes.

Our Larger Community

Support for friends in Cuba:

Rev. John Potter and members of First & Central make annual trips to Cuba, collecting medical supplies and other necessities with donations from the congregation and the community. In 2025, David Teager organized a fundraiser to purchase sixteen canes for the blind, which were delivered during the trip. We maintain an ongoing relationship with the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Cuba, and especially the congregation in the city of Placetas.