protestant family service | Mission and funding

The mission of Protestant Family Service, a private social service agency serving the greater Youngstown area, is to develop and channel resources of local church communities to those in need. Founded in 1944 as a project of Church Women United, it became an independent agency in 1970. Though it has Protestant in its name, the agency is nondenominational, and multiple denominations contribute. Its office is located in Millcreek Community Center, 496 Glenwood Ave., Youngstown. Hours are from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays by appointment only. Call (330) 746-4600. The following are fundraisers for PFS, which also applies for some government grants.

Church contributors: Churches representing a range of denominations contribute food, funds and many other supplies. Churches also support Christmas and Adopt-a-School projects.

Spaghetti dinner: The event was held Sept. 21 at the Calvin Center, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans matched $1 for every $3 the dinner raised; the total was $2,996.

Feast of Salads: The Oct. 18 event at First Presbyterian Church raised $1,602.

CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk: The event, held Oct. 12, raised $15,000, 25 percent of which will be divided among Catholic Charities, Fish Samaritan and PFS.

December newsletter: The publication, to be sent out at the end of November, is a fundraiser of sorts as Christmas donations are sought.

Youngstown Foundation: Donations of $100 or more sent to the foundation (P.O. Box. 1162, Youngstown, Ohio 44503) with PFS marked in the memo line will get a 5 percent match.

Other: PFS also participated in the Feinstein Foundation challenge during which food items and funds are collected and the foundation gives a corresponding monetary donation; the total was $303. The agency also participated in Macy’s Shop for a Cause.