Community Service
Salem Lutheran Church believes that serving others is one of the most important ways to serve God. Through our community service we can reach out with the love of God and provide some of the needs of those in our surrounding neighborhoods.
Our Community Outreach Team collects donated items and prepares “Care Kits” for members to distribute to those in need. Items such as toothbrushes, bandaids, socks, and bottled water are part of those kits. This team meets periodically to discuss opportunities for further outreach to the surrounding neighborhoods and the Affton community.
Our Free Little Christian Library is located on the corner of Gravois and Lakewood, in a high traffic area. We stock the library with Bibles, devotional books, adult and children’s books for our neighbors to take and we pray that these will help develop and support our neighbors’ faith. We also supply Lutheran Hour Ministry pamphlets on grief, cancer, depression and more.
Salem has a strong relationship with the Affton Christian Food Pantry. We have ongoing collections, where items change monthly based on the Pantry’s needs. Our members participate in a facility clean-up on the third Saturday of each month. Recently Salem wrote a grant through the Lutheran Foundation to support the needs of the Affton Christian Food Pantry with a $5,000 financial gift.
DONATIONS TO THE AFFTON CHRISTIAN FOOD PANTRY
Each month we collect donations of the Pantry’s MOST NEEDED ITEMS to support the members of our community who are in need.
The Affton Christian Food Pantry provides food to families and individuals who live in the 63123 zip code area and currently serves more than 250 families a month and more than 1,200 individuals, of which almost 450 are children and 150 are senior citizens. Your generous donations are greatly appreciated, not only by the Pantry, but also by the clients served.
The Pantry’s MOST NEEDED ITEMS for the month of AUGUST include:
- MIXED VEGETABLES – critically needed (none in stock) NO green beans or corn
- BAKING GOODS (none in stock)
- CONDIMENTS (none in stock)
- CEREAL – critically needed (only 3 weeks supply on hand)
- TOILET PAPER – always needed (not covered by SNAP)
- PERSONAL CARE ITEMS: deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, shaving razors (for men and women), feminine hygiene products – always needed (not covered by SNAP)
- DRY and CANNED BEANS, especially red beans, lentils, pork & beans, pinto beans
Donations of these items should be placed in or next to the RED BARREL
located in the lower level lobby at church to the right of the stairway to the atrium.
THE NEED IS GREAT!
This year, from January through June, the Pantry has served 7,713 individuals!
During the month of June alone, the Pantry served another 1,414 individuals,
which is the highest monthly total to date for 2026.
The Pantry Staff and their Clients are grateful for all donations!
In order to provide MEAT for their clients, the Pantry must purchase it. Kenricks has been very generous, but it is still an expenditure. You can help by purchasing Kenricks Gift Certificates and donate them to the Pantry. You can also send a financial gift by check, payable to the Affton Christian Food Pantry, 4960 Heege Road, Affton, MO 63123.
We also collect donations of food and personal items for the Concordia Seminary Food Bank. This Food Bank provides the students at the Seminary and their families with those necessities that help to alleviate their monthly grocery bills. We have a large bin labeled for the Seminary in which donations of (unexpired) items can be placed. The students and their families very much appreciate the ongoing support of our congregation.
We invite you to donate some of the following needed items:
- SIZE 3 DIAPERS
- BABY WIPES
- DISINFECTING WIPES
- LAUNDRY DETERGENT
- FROSTING
- GROUND CINNAMON
- GARLIC SEASONING & POWDER
- SEASONING SALT
Your donations can be placed in the barrel marked for Concordia Seminary FOOD BANK that’s located at church in the lower level lobby to the left of the stairs to the atrium.
