First Street Methodist Mission

ANNOUNCEMENT

First Street Methodist Mission is looking for dedicated, compassionate, enthusiastic people to join our Board of Directors in January 2024!

The Board of Directors is the highest leadership body of First Street Mission, responsible for its governance, strategic vision, and financial and missional oversight. The board works to ensure that FSM fulfills its mission strategically, creatively, and responsibly. As a member of the board, you will take on an individual role in addition to this collective responsibility. FSM board members actively participate in fundraising efforts, planning workshops, oversight committees, board learning events, and collaborative initiatives with staff.

If you are interested, fill out the form below to send us your resume and a letter describing why you are interested in serving on the board. The deadline to apply is October 15!

Job Description     FAQ

Apply

We are no longer accepting applications at this time.

We need volunteers to join us! There are two ways to get involved in the Mission’s work: at the services we offer at our physical site at 801 W 1st St or by joining our community outreach efforts.

Volunteer at 801 W 1st Street

The first step in becoming a volunteer at the Mission is to take a tour and see the ins and outs of all our services. Then you can decide where you would like to give your time. The tour lasts about 30 minutes. Registration is required.

Contact our team at questions@firststreetmission.org or 682-376-8479

Register

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Please choose a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon
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Available times to tour the mission

Volunteer in Community Outreach

The Mission is actively working to expand its reach in the community beyond our physical location. Our newest program just does that. Healthy Homes Outreach is an opportunity to visit a neighbor at their home. These are vulnerable members of our community who will treasure these interactions.

Once per month, volunteers deliver groceries and build relationships with the families they choose to meet with. Individual volunteers and families are welcome!

Deliveries are made on the fourth week of each month, on a weekday, at a time that is convenient for the volunteer. 4th Sunday delivery may be available as well.

Sign up below to let us know that you plan to be there.

If you have questions, contact our team at questions@firststreetmission.org or 682-376-8479

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Donate New or Gently Used Items

First Street Methodist Mission is located two blocks north of the church. Devoted to serving people in need, First Street Methodist Mission provides emergency food, clothing, infant formula, limited financial assistance, and case management services in an atmosphere of respect and compassion. Recognizing and taking action to help meet the need for outreach in Downtown Fort Worth, this dynamic ministry offers vital assistance to its guests and life-and-awareness-changing opportunities to its special volunteer community that views work at the Mission as part of their calling to be God’s people in the world.

First Street Methodist Mission’s roots began in the early 1950’s when the First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth recognized the need for outreach at a downtown housing community. From this point, the church began a variety of programs designed to minister to this local community. In 2006, the Mission was officially named First Street Methodist Mission and became its own 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.

Over the next several decades, the services of the Mission expanded to assist both the homeless and those with a residence in Fort Worth and the surrounding communities. The services to the homeless include sack lunches, a monthly clothing bank visit where they receive a hygiene kit with a new pair of socks and underwear and the Start-Up Kit program for the homeless who are moving into supportive or transitional housing programs. Services for individuals and families with a home include grocery services and a monthly clothing bank visit. Infant formula services are available to anyone who needs assistance with infant formula and other nutritional items for infants.

Virtually all monetary donations go directly toward funding the programs and client services of the Mission. Overhead costs such as utilities and building maintenance are provided by the First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth. The Mission is staffed by an all-volunteer workforce of a diverse mix of more than 200 volunteers who work to serve a wide variety of programs and services.

Contact:

Bernie Scheffler, First Street Methodist Mission Director | bscheffler@firststreetmission.org
First Street Methodist Mission | 817-335-6080

Food Pantry

First Street Methodist Mission provides food assistance for families and individuals, both those with a residence and those experiencing homelessness.

Grocery Services Español

Wednesdays & Thursdays | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm | Florence Street Door
Grocery services are not restricted by zip code or in any other way–all are welcome to visit the pantry once per month! It may be helpful to bring identification but it is not required. No other documentation is needed. Our neighbors experiencing homelessness are also welcome to receive groceries at this time.

Sack Lunches for Our Neighbors Experiencing Homelessness

Tuesdays | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Wednesdays | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
W 1st Street Door

Sack lunches are served to individuals who are homeless on a first come first served basis. On Monday and Wednesday guests are able to receive a meal and join us for a cup of coffee or lemonade. Each person who is homeless is able to receive one sack lunch per service day.

Infant Formula

Wednesdays & Thursdays | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Florence Street Door

Infant Formula is provided to parents and caretakers of infants who are 12 months of age and younger two times each month. Guests are eligible to receive infant formula and other nutritional items based on the age of the child. Diapers and clothing are also available one time each month depending on availability.

The Mission distributes a basic milk based infant formula. If a child needs a specialized non-milk based formula, then the parent or care taker needs to provide us with documentation from the child’s doctor that states which formula the child needs and how long the child needs that formula. We ask that all Infant Formula clients apply for WIC services.

Food 4 Kids

Select Sundays | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

One in four children come from families that live with food insecurity. Food 4 Kids is a ministry of First Street Mission that sends food home every weekend of the school year for 275 elementary aged children at T.A. Sims, Clifford Davis, Milton L. Kirkpatrick, Castleberry, and Charles Nash Elementary schools to relieve fear and worry about where their next meal will come from. Groups of 10 are encouraged to come to First Street Mission on select Sundays for one hour between 9:00 am and noon, September through May to help pack take-home food kits for children experiencing food insecurity.

Sign up to serve today!

Clothing Bank

Clothing Assistance and Hygiene Kits

Tuesdays | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Wednesdays | 2:00 – 4:00 pm
W 1st Street Door

First Street Methodist Mission’s Clothing Bank is accessible to men and women who are homeless one time each month. Mission guests are able to select for themselves clothing items and other seasonal items like coats from the clothing racks.

Men and women who are homeless are also eligible to receive a hygiene kit once per month, the kit includes travel size soap, shampoo, toothpaste, a toothbrush, and razor and two bandages along with a new pair of cotton socks or underwear. Hygiene kits are available to our guests who are homeless on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Home Start-Up Kits

Case Worker Referral Only

Start-Up Kits provide a small number of household items to previously homeless men, women, and families who have moved into permanent supportive or transitional housing programs. The Start-Up Kit program is a case worker referred program. To make a referral for a kit, contact the Mission by phone, fax, or email to request the Start-Up Kit referral form.

Start-Up Kits include: bath towel, wash cloth, dinner plates, bowls, drinking glasses, coffee cups, forks, spoons, knives, paring knives, can openers, sheet sets, blankets, plunger, broom and dustpan, shower curtain/rings, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, razor, deodorant, bar soap, Comet, dish soap, sponges, dish towel, laundry soap, pots, skillet, and toilet paper.

Room in the Inn

Room in the Inn provides shelter to individuals who are homeless during the three coldest months (December, January, and February) and the two hottest months (July and August) every year. First Street Methodist Mission along with First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth participates in Room in the Inn, offering shelter to 14 single men on Thursday evenings.

Room in the Inn is primarily run with the help of volunteers. Volunteers set up the facility, prepare the beds, make the meal, stay overnight and transport our guests to and from the Day Resource Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Training is required of all Room in the Inn volunteers and is held prior to each season of Room in the Inn.

Volunteer Job Descriptions

Transportation

Thursday 4:00 pm & Friday 7:00 am

Pick up the van at Budget on Texas & Henderson. Proceed to the Day Resource Center to pick up 6 guests and bring them to the Justin Youth Building. Return Friday morning to take our guests back to the Day Resource Center and then return the van to Budget.

Set-Up

Thursday 3:30 pm

The Set-Up position is a monthly rotation of volunteers who are willing to come to the Justin every Thursday evening for a (selected) month to assist with preparation for the evening/morning. Volunteers will: make sure all the supplies needed to make up the beds are available, prepare the shower/hygiene items, and set the table for the evening meal.

Prepare Beds

Thursday 3:30 pm

Put linens on 16 beds for our Room in the Inn guests and volunteers.

Appetizers

Thursday 4:30 pm

Our guests may have not had a lunch-time meal and not only do appetizers curb hunger, they help break the ice for the evening! We need volunteers to provide enough snack/appetizer type food for 12 guests and several volunteers.

Some ideas: Veggie tray, Queso and chips, cheese and crackers.

Dinner/Hospitality Volunteers

Arrive at Justin by 5:30 pm | Meal served by 6:00 pm

Hospitality ends at 9:30 pm*

Sign up to provide enough food to generously feed 30 people. The categories available are Bread, Salad, Main Course, Side Dish, and Dessert. We ask that you also provide any condiments needed. *If you are unable to stay for the hospitality part of the evening please let us know so we can make other arrangements.  

Overnight Volunteers

Arrive at Justin Thursday 5:00 pm | Depart Friday 7:30 am*

Overnight volunteers stay throughout the night with our guests in the Justin Building gym and help get our guests up for breakfast and their return to the Day Resource Center on Friday morning.*If you are unable to stay until 7:30 am on Friday morning please let us know so we can make other arrangements. 

Breakfast Volunteers

Arrive at Justin by 6:30 am | Meal Served by 6:45 am | Clean up after*

Breakfast Volunteers are asked to provide enough breakfast food — a breakfast casserole, fruit, cereal, juice and milk, and rolls or muffins — to generously feed 30 people. In addition, volunteers are asked to serve and clean up after the meal is over. *If you cannot stay for clean up, please let us know so that we can make arrangements. 

Linen Pick-up & Washing

Following Monday between 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Pick up linens and wash, dry, and return clean linens to the Mission by the following Wednesday so that they are ready for the next Thursday evening.

Donate

Donate online or send your check to First Street Methodist Mission at 801 W. 1st St., Fort Worth, TX 76102.

Servicios comestibles para las familias e individuos con una residencia

Miércoles & Jueves | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Personas que estan interesado para recibir los comestibles deben traer los siguientes artículos:

  • Tarjeta de identificación para todos los adultos que viven en la casa
  • Uno del siguiente que es 30 días viejos o menos: un recibo de la renta con el numero de telefono del propietario o una cuenta de la compañia de electricidad, gas, o agua

Suggested Donations

Donations are accepted at 801 W 1st St

Mondays – Thursdays 8:00am to 4:00pm

You are welcome to park in our lot. Let us know you’re here by pushing the button labeled doorbell next to the double doors.

See below for a list of donations we accept for each service area.

 

Clothing Bank:

Serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness

  • Jeans
  • T-shirts
  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • Sneakers
  • Sweatshirts/Jackets/Coats
  • Coveralls
  • Shorts

 

We always have a high need for men’s clothing and shoes—particularly shirt sizes 1X, 2X, 3X and pant sizes 28, 30, and 32.

Please ensure your donations are clean and in wearable condition. We do not have the ability to launder clothing donations.

 

Start Up Kits:

Serving individuals and families exiting homelessness into a new home

  • Blankets and towels
  • Sheets (twin, full, queen)
  • Dishes/glasses/mugs
  • Flatware and cutlery
  • Pots/pans/skillets

 

We do not accept donations of appliances.

We do not store or move furniture. However, we may be able to connect you to a family in need if you would like to donate furniture items. Please call in advance. Furniture drop-offs are not accepted.

 

Homeless Services:

Serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness

  • Backpacks/tote bags/rolling bags
  • Sleeping bags and tents
  • Insect repellant
  • Sunscreen
  • Wallets
  • Books (paperback)

 

Infant Formula Bank:

Serving all children one year old and younger

  • Infant formula (brand name and generic, including specialty types)
  • Baby food
  • Diapers – all sizes
  • Infant and child clothes – all ages
  • Toys and books

 

Food Bank:

Serving any individual or family experiencing food insecurity

  • Canned goods
  • Shelf-stable pantry items
  • Whole (un-cut) produce
  • Packaged baked goods

 

We are always in need of packaged loaves of bread.

 

Career Closet:

Serving adults experiencing homelessness

    • Black and khaki pants
  • White dress shirts
  • Scrubs
  • Black non-skid “restaurant” shoes
  • Work boots

 

We do not have a high need for business suits and other formal attire. It may be best to donate these to an organization that has more demand.