First Pres Soup Kitchen

Who Can Visit?

Everyone is welcome at the First Pres Soup Kitchen. The soup kitchen and food pantry serve all guests, with no eligibility restrictions. Just show up on Sunday afternoon to receive a hot meal and food pantry items.

Food & Essentials

The soup kitchen serves hot soup, fresh sandwiches, and desserts. The food pantry, run in partnership with Second Harvest and Trader Joe's, offers grocery items each week. The selection varies, but often includes bakery items, fresh produce, canned goods, and some meat.

The on-site Clothes Closet provides men's and women's seasonal work clothing for those in need.

How to Pick Up

Outreach begins at 1:15 pm on Sunday afternoons. Volunteers welcome guests and serve a hot meal in the Fellowship Hall. The food pantry distribution takes place alongside the soup kitchen and Clothes Closet on the same Sunday afternoon visit.

Additional Support

First Pres runs a Birth Certificate Program on the first two Sundays of each month. Staff interview clients and process birth certificate applications to states across the country. Because many guests are between residences, the church also allows them to receive mail at the church address.

First Pres partners with Room in the Inn, a congregational shelter program for unhoused neighbors in downtown Memphis, with pickup running every day from November 1 through March 31. The church also supports MIFA's Meals on Wheels program and is a founding member of The Hospitality HUB at 146 Jefferson, which connects people to counseling, state IDs, and other stability resources.

Facilities

On Sunday afternoons, guests can visit the Clothes Closet for free men's and women's seasonal work clothing alongside their meal and food pantry visit.

Ways to Give

You can make a monetary donation to the Soup Kitchen online at the First Pres giving page. Food, clothing, and in-kind donations are also welcome. You can reach the church at 901.525.5619 or office@firstpresmemphis.org for more information.

How to Join the Team?

Volunteers from across Memphis help welcome guests, serve the hot meal, and staff the Clothes Closet. You don't need to be Presbyterian to volunteer. To get involved, visit the contact page on the First Pres website.