Frequently Asked Questions | Resource for Students and Media

Thank you for seeking out University United Methodist Church. We are proud to be committed to Syracuse, our community and Feeding God’s People: Body, Mind and Spirit. We are frequently approached by students, media and those who have general questions about our mission and impact on Syracuse. In response, we are providing the information below to answer those questions.

University United Methodist Church has been a downtown Syracuse anchor institution for 150 years. A diverse faith community with a long legacy of engagement, the church gave birth to a pastoral counseling center, the Housing Visions program, and an innovative initiative linking residents with vital city resources. Today our vigorous outreach program addresses citywide food shortages, especially critical during COVID. We run a clothing closet and distribute diapers, hygiene products and winter outerwear. We host a free Sunday morning breakfast, and we work with local partners to provide health checks, census information, flu shots and other services to residents.

University United Methodist Church embraces social justice and community engagement as foundational tenets of living our faith. Even as downtown churches face ongoing challenges to their viability, UUMC has maintained a steadfast commitment to serving our local community. In March 2020, the CNY Food Bank designated UUMC a citywide Interfaith Emergency Food Distribution site. As the pandemic closed several other area food sites this designation increased demand on our program six times over. Currently, UUMC staff and volunteers distribute 400 boxes of food weekly in what we believe to be the largest weekly food distribution in the city. Our monthly diaper distribution reaches 150 families, and we also provide pet food and necessary hygiene products. Demand for our free Sunday morning breakfasts-to-go has increased by at least 50 percent since COVID.

At the CNY Food Bank’s request, we will continue as a designated citywide food site through January 2022, but there is no guarantee of sufficient funds to maintain this expansion.

Throughout the pandemic, UUMC has provided a vital economic service to those struggling to make ends meet. It has proven itself to be resilient, resourceful and determined to meet the expanded need, even as the enhanced demand placed new burdens on our building, our staff and our dedicated volunteers. Going forward, UUMC will continue to evolve our outreach ministry to address emerging post-pandemic needs–as an expression of our ongoing commitment to our neighborhood and city, and to living our mission to feed God’s people–body, mind and spirit.

Below, please find answers to some frequently asked questions regarding our Food Center @ 324 University Avenue

What is the official name of your site:
The Food Center @ 324 University Ave. within University United Methodist Church

Address:
Our mailing address is 1085 East Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13210
Entrance for the Food Center is 324 University Ave. (our side door)

How do I access food?
We feed all residents of the city of Syracuse every Friday morning 10 AM – Noon for Emergency Food Boxes and every Sunday morning 9 – 10:30 AM for our to-go community breakfast.
Currently, we run a drive-thru food distribution. On Fridays participants may drive up via Ashworth Pl. and join the food line in their car or, line up with the walkers on University Ave. USDA intake forms will need to be signed by all consumers. Current address and full name will be documented.
On Sunday mornings people receive a brown bag breakfast, coffee and water at the corner of University Ave and E. Genesee St. or enter the Narthex of UUMC to gather their breakfast. No documentation is needed.

What services/programs do you have?
~We are partners with the Food Bank of CNY moving on average 30,000+lbs of food each month.
~We are partners with the CNY Diaper Bank and move an average of 8000 diapers the first Friday of every month.
~We have a free clothing closet that holds gently used men, women and children’s clothing, shoes, outerwear and boots (in the appropriate season). It is accessible each Thursday from 9 AM to Noon. No appointment is necessary.
~We move dog and cat food upon request Friday mornings.
~We are a teaching site for Syracuse University and SUNY Upstate Medical Center.
~We accept some donations that we quickly move out to the people of Syracuse (to get more information on accepted donations please email outreach@uumcsyracuse.org)
~We have some basic hygiene supplies available upon request.

How do I access baby diapers?
On the first Friday of every month diapers are distributed to families of babies who reside in the southeast quadrant of the city of Syracuse. Zip codes are checked. Each baby is entitled to 50 diapers per month. Often other items are distributed to baby’s family (sanitary pads, wipes, formula, baby books).

How many people do you feed?
On average we feed 1000 Syracuse residents every week through both of our Emergency food distribution programs. This sum includes seniors, adults and children.

Where does the food come from?
Almost all of our food is delivered to our Food Center from the Food Bank of CNY weekly. Some food donations arrive to us through our network of supporters.

Do you have to buy food?
Yes!! Although some foods do come to us free, donated or at cost, our Food Center pays for about 50% of all of our food, and packaging expenses.

Who runs the Food Center?
The Food Center @ 324 is a large part of University United Methodist Church’s Outreach ministry. UUMC has several levels of decision makers that consider the needs of community, current relevance adding in an interfaith theological perspective thus, creating our mission.
We are a partner agency of The Food Bank of CNY who is diversely fundamental in our funding, acquisition and efforts.
Our Food center is an Interfaith union with input, finances and effort from Grace Episcopal Church and the Society of Temple Concord. Together we feed the city of Syracuse.
There is one paid full time staff person, who is supported by UUMC staff and a small army of volunteers, team members/leaders who complete all tasks for the Food Center @ 324.

How is the Food Center @ 324 funded?
Our funding generally breaks down into three parts: grant awards, donations and gifts from patrons/community/congregation/collaborators and UUMC’s budget allotment.

Do you ever close?
Currently, entry into the food pantry itself is closed and we do not distribute food on national holidays.
We strive to remain open consistently with our drive thru operation, however, if the temperature and/or the wind chill is 20 degrees F or below we will close and not distribute foods that day. If there is extraordinary foul winter weather we will close and not distribute foods. This is to keep staff, volunteers and guests safe as they work outside. Please check local TV listings or our Facebook page for University United Methodist Church closure.

How do I volunteer?
We often need volunteers. Please email outreach@uumcsyracuse.org to get more information and to be added to our volunteer listserv which explains all the volunteer opportunities at UUMC. All volunteers must complete a background check shortly after they’ve begun volunteering.

How else can I get involved?
~UUMC is a reconciling, open, welcoming community. All faith traditions are encouraged to celebrate with us each Sunday morning at 10:30 AM within our Sanctuary or on our Facebook page. Everyone is welcome!
~We host a knitting group that creates hats for our Sunday breakfast guests.
~We host a “women’s period project”. Women’s hygiene supplies are packed into kits that are distributed to our diaper families and Sunday breakfast guests.
~We have a robust choral and handbell group.

Please direct any questions/concerns/interview or filming requests to our Outreach Coordinator, Galyn Murphy-Stanley at outreach@uumcsyracuse.org