news article

Rensselaer United Methodist Church reopens first with outreach

July 7, 2021 / By Thaddeus Pinckney

Bags of produce, including potatoes, carrots, and onions are soon to be given to Rensselaer and Capital Region residents. To combat economic issues caused by COVID-19, and spread a ray of hope through healthy food, the Rensselaer United Methodist Church will distribute free potatoes and produce to the community from 10 a.m. to noon every Saturday morning, starting July 10,^, 2021.

The food will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis at the park directly behind the Rensselaer United Methodist Church building, located at 16 Washington Street, Rensselaer, NY 12144.  The event every Saturday morning is a part of the church’s outreach ministry. Participants will be able to walk up and simply receive the food from Rensselaer United Methodist volunteers with no questions asked.   

Rensselaer United Methodist Church, formerly the First United Methodist Church, was founded in 1833, but has been closed for the last seven years.  The church originally had a membership of over 200 people, but like many churches, when faced with economic downfalls, decided to cease its operations.  

It has now declared to become a ray of hope for the Rensselaer and Capital Region community by restarting.  The church will restart with first serving the community and reopening its sanctuary for bible studies and services in September 2021.  In the age where six out of 10 churches have recently closed in the Capital Region in the past two years, Rensselaer United Methodist Church is instead witnessing a rebirth, starting with providing nutritious sustenance to its community. 

“A church is not just a building; it’s the community.”, says Joan Payton from RUMC.

And truly, it’s a community effort.  Businesses in the Rensselaer area, as well as local farmers, such as from the Carrot Barn, located in Schoharie, NY, along with teams of volunteers have all teamed together to make this potato pickup/ produce giveaway an ongoing success into late Fall 2021.  

For more information about how to pick up free bags of potatoes, volunteer, or give donations, contact:

Joan Payton, (518) 258-8987, sbumc.church@gmail.com or                                                            

Thaddeus Pinckney, (518) 669-7966, thaddeusp1@yahoo.com.