Act
Our approach to mission
The purpose of the Mission & Outreach Commission is to guide the actions and resources of our church family toward service to others. Our efforts are both nationwide and global, with a strong emphasis on local mission. Consistent with our theme of "Love Local," we support programs and groups that meet the basics — food, water, shelter — as well as higher-level needs, including greater access to education and medical care.
Mission & Outreach creates opportunities for both our congregation and members of the wider Bound Brook community to use their time, talent, and treasure to make the world a better place.
Local programs
Sunday Pantry
The Sunday Pantry provides a variety of perishable (fruit, vegetables, meat) and non-perishable food, prepared meals, and household cleaning and hygiene products to an average of 121 families — roughly 447 people — every Sunday in the PCC gym. Volunteers play critical roles: hauling food from New Brunswick to Bound Brook during the week, and setting up and running the pantry on the weekend.
To get involved, contact the church office (office@bbpc.org), Diane Gilson (dianeg876@gmail.com), or D'Maris Dempsey (joedm88@msn.com). The pantry gladly accepts donations dropped off at the church/PCC, or ordered via our Amazon Wish List.
ShopRite Gift Card Program
Provides a steady supply of ShopRite gift cards to two community partners, who distribute them to food-insecure clients. Our partners are Casa de Esperanza, which provides affordable legal services to immigrants and refugees, and HOME of Somerset County, which supports families facing housing insecurity. This program does not require volunteers, but depends on a steady supply of donations to cover the ongoing expense.
Operation St. Nick
Every December, Mission & Outreach posts sign-ups to purchase toys for foster children and youth overseen by the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency, Department of Children and Families.
HOME of Somerset County Emergency Shelter
BBPC is a member of the emergency shelter system run by HOME of Somerset County. Four times a year, BBPC hosts unhoused families in the Cave for a week. Before each hosting week, Mission & Outreach posts sign-ups to provide specific groceries, cook dinner for one or two families, and staff shifts in the evening and overnight hours.
Global Partners Task Force
The Global Partners Task Force was created to report on and support our global partners, including the Presbyterian Education Board (Pakistan), Friends for Health in Haiti, Homes of Hope (Nicaragua), the Christian-Muslim Study Center (Oman), Mar Elias School (Israel/Palestine), and a school in Armenia. Anyone with an interest in global mission is welcome to join. Contact Brooks Smith (smithjbrooks25@gmail.com) or Carol Wilson (cawils@gmail.com).