Urban Mission Ministries

The Urban Mission operates the largest food pantry in the Ohio valley. In 2022, the pantry hosted 30,349 service visits and served more than 2,747 families, including 913 families who visited our pantry for the first time. Through the pantry, 643,887 meals were provided, and approximately 1.5 million pounds of food were distributed. In addition to a food pantry, the Urban Mission provides (1) hot meals for the community, with more than 10,000 meals served each year, a (2) senior food box program with 140 seniors receiving supplemental food monthly, and a (3) summer mobile food pantry, where over 800 children throughout jefferson county receive fresh food on a weekly basis throughout the summer months. Current goals include the expansion of the food pantry, now known as the fresh market, the introduction of nutrition and wellness programming, and the development of a "healthy food hub," where healthy food is grown and distributed onsite and within the local community.

The Urban Mission operates the only 24-hour, emergency homeless shelter system within a four-county radius. With shelters specific to men, women, and families, the Urban Mission serves more than 500 homeless adults and children each year. At an Urban Mission shelter, guests receive wrap around services to assist in locating permanent housing, a steady income, and community resources. Spiritual care services, life skills classes, and work opportunities are also available to shelter guests. In 2022, our shelters served 434 adults and 67 children. Current goals include expanding programming for shelter guests, transportation assistance, and long-term support by offering transitional and permanent housing opportunities.

The Urban Mission operates an employment readiness and mentoring program for members of the community who experience barriers to employment. Education, hands-on training through the Urban missions warehouse, thrift store, and kitchen, and employment services coupled with support from local community colleges and area employers enables the Urban Mission to partner with underemployed and unemployed individuals living throughout the Ohio valley. Current goals include the renovation of a 20,800 square foot building in downtown steubenville, which will serve as the homebase for the Urban missions employment readiness and entrepreneurship program.

The neighborhood community development center (ncdc) was established to respond to the ever-changing needs of the community. In 2022, ncdc offered programs ranging from leadership development to health and wellness. Events included minority health month programming, "local conversations" - community discussions on the health disparities within the black community in jefferson county, and annual cancer screenings for our community's minority and low-income population. Ncdc also hosted its annual coat give-a-way, a back-to-school distribution, and a christmas toy distribution for area children. Two additional programs that fall under ncdc are the Urban Mission's joshua home repair program and the Urban Mission's weekly worship service, known as Mission rejoice.