Located in downtown St. Louis, UrbanReachSTL is committed to breaking the generational cycle of poverty and violence in the Columbus Square Neighborhood. Each Thursday during the months of June and July, funded in part through a grant from the Anti-Racism Pro-Reconciliation Justice Ministry of Mid-America, Community Christian Church in Manchester has been delivering sack lunches for the children and youth who attend a daily Vacation Bible School led by UrbanReachSTL.

Community also provided supper recently for one of the weekly gatherings held in the neighborhood. More than two hundred hamburgers and hot dogs were served. A highlight of the evening was watching individuals from all generations and walks of life sit on the grass in the local field and simply engage in conversation with one another.

And perhaps the best part of this ongoing relationship is the look on children’s faces from UrbanReachSTL when they have visited the Bremer Community Garden at Community and tasted fresh red raspberries and sugar snap peas right off the bush and vine (another grant-funded ministry from the National Benevolent Association). Together, Community and UrbanReachSTL are working together to grow a brighter future for the children and youth of St. Louis.

Thanks to Rev. Jacob Thorne, pastor of Community Christian Church in Manchester for this story and photos.