GWCM History

The Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministries (GWCM) was formed in 1997 by eight local churches / faith communities. Their aim was to cooperate in local social ministries to meet identified needs in the community. We now number 11 faith communities.  

The food pantry program of GWCM was an outgrowth of separate efforts by each church and a particular effort by the Colonial Manor United Methodist Church to provide emergency food aid to community families on the weekend when both governmental and other voluntary organizations are closed. GWCM opened a second food pantry in 2002, located in the center of Woodbury on North Broad Street on the Friends Meeting property (in the SODAT building) and distributed food on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Though in very tight, basement quarters, this site became the main food pantry and the number of families served increased. In 2007, with the construction of the County Justice Complex adjacent to the Friends/SODAT property, GWCM was forced to find a new location. God provided the solution when the Seventh Day Adventist Church at Barber and Evergreen Avenues in the east side of Woodbury, offered their ground floor for use as an outreach effort. This is now GWCM's main food pantry and includes office space, a packing room, a large room for client waiting area and specialty food offerings, and an extensive parking lot (and served by 2 bus routes).

The food pantries are intended as emergency relief services, providing, in addition to food, guidance to clients in accessing the support of government and community assistance.      

In addition to the food pantries, the GWCM has been involved in a number of other community projects including ecumenical worship services, Vacation Bible School, a high school Peace Essay Scholarship, a clothing closet, a children's summer lunch box program, and a Handy Helpers program to assist seniors and disabled with household chores.