The First Presbyterian Church (FPC) of Garland, located in downtown Garland, enjoys a long, rich history of service and fellowship. It was founded in 1888 as the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Garland The average attendance was 20-25. A union between the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Presbyterian USA in 1906 brought a name change and it became the First Presbyterian Church of Garland. There are now 300 members.
FPC Garland has served the community in many ways through the years and continues to offer programs that benefit people in Garland and beyond.
Eight years ago, deacon Damon Renaud and his wife Annette helped start the Community Breakfast program that provides a hot Saturday morning meal. A small group from the church decided to try it after hearing about a church in Whitesboro that was running a successful breakfast program. They went to observe the operation and decided to start one at FPC Garland. A Richardson church that heard about the FPC Garland Community Breakfast is now working with them to learn how to start one at their church.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional sit-down breakfasts were served. Currently, breakfast burritos are prepared at the church and shared with folks at the door. Renaud hopes that they will be able to get back to the inside sit-down meal and fellowship soon.
Breakfast was served to 180-200 before the pandemic. Now about 50-60 people go by and pick up breakfast to go. Each person receives two breakfast burritos along with items such as a mask kit with hand sanitizer, a toothbrush and toothpaste or a Bible.
Photos by Damon Renaud
“For homeless people, we have mats that have been made from grocery bags to go under sleeping bags,” Renaud said.
“Lots of people from the area come,” Renaud said. “Families come and bring their kids and grandkids and grandmas and grandpas. Many of them are what we call ‘working poor.’”
Working poor is a term used for people who have jobs but their income falls below the poverty level.
Volunteers of all ages helped when the inside breakfast was being served. Boy Scout troops, along with other organizations, worked alongside church members.
In addition to the breakfast, the church offers free sack lunches Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The lunches are handed out at the church office door and the Saturday breakfasts are given from the sanctuary door from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Another program through which the group helps people in the community is the Shoebox Ministry. The boxes are filled with goodies for different age groups. In years past, Santa joined the fun and the boxes were handed out to children who attended.
This year, because of the pandemic, the event might have to be changed, but it will still go on. Christmas is on a Saturday morning, so there will still be breakfast and the group hopes to be able to hand out filled shoeboxes to adults and children. This ministry also started eight years ago and has grown over the years.
Food pantries like Good Samaritans of Garland, often share food with the FPC Garland group. They also accept donations for their programs. Some needed items include lunch items like cans of tuna, crackers, etc. as well as personal items like deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, travel size shampoo, soap and small toys. They also need Christmas wrapping paper.
“This ministry has been a real blessing,” Renaud said. “We have not missed a Saturday. We’ve been open rain or shine. Everyone is welcome.”