community outreach

Dryden Community Dinners

Dryden Community Dinners started in the spring of 2007 at the Dryden United Methodist Church (DUMC) with the simple suggestion at an Outreach Committee meeting, "Wouldn't it be nice to prepare a meal for the people of Dryden?” We acted on this idea and in the fall of 2007 the first meal was served. Since 2007, we have served over 27,000 meals to our guests.

Volunteers from other Dryden churches began to join us in this ministry and by 2011 we were able to increase the number of meals offered to four weekly meals per month. When the COVID virus became widespread in 2020, restrictions went into effect and meals needed to be put on hold, but as of spring 2023, the dinners have resumed.

Conveniently located at the four corners in Dryden, DUMC continues to be the host church site. Today we share in this mission with Covenant Love Community Church, Holy Cross Catholic Parish and Risen Hope Community Church. On a rotating basis, we prepare and provide a free meal for the hungry and a time for socialization on Wednesday evenings from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Everyone is always welcome.

Dryden Community Dinners are financially supported by United Way of Tompkins County/FOCUS, Dryden service organizations and private donors.

• Haiti School Lunch Program and tuition for one student
• Community Dinners
• Serving at the Dryden Kitchen Cupboard
• UMCOR (school kits)
• Providing gas and food cards to the needy
• Providing hygiene kits for the less fortunate
• WEB Backpack Program for local school children

DUMC’s My Brother’s Keeper sewing group has been providing handmade sleeping bags for the homeless and marginalized in upstate New York for years. Using all donated materials, the volunteers work together to collect and organize materials, sew and assemble the bags. They are then rolled up with winter hats, gloves, socks and a sampling of hygiene care tools and products tucked inside before being ready for distribution.

The group meets Friday mornings from October to April in the DUMC Fellowship Hall from 9am - 3pm and is open to anyone who would like to take part. Come for a full day or only a couple of hours!