Outreach

Second Spartanburg participates in many Outreach opportunities throughout the year. The church has a long, rich history of significant impact to our community, including our partnerships with two ministries especially near and dear to us: JUMPSTART and the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen.

JUMPSTART

Onsite at Second Presbyterian Church

"A small group of volunteers, with the support of the Tyger River Correctional Institution’s chaplain, began ministering to the inmates at Tyger River in South Carolina. This group consisted mostly of retired men and women who went into the prison during the normal work-day. Two of our founding members worked night-time vocational jobs (one in janitorial office work and the other in pizza delivery) to support themselves and their families so they could answer God’s calling on their lives – Prison Ministry. These men, along with their wives, met together to talk through their “calling”, and the challenges and struggles that they were facing which were primarily financial. They discussed how they might partner in the mission of “setting the captives free,” and the vision of JUMPSTART was born. Today, more than 150 volunteers each week serve the needs of those in numerous prison locations. Our leadership team and staff work tirelessly to bring hope to those in prison who have often given up. The responses we see every week inspire us to do more. And that’s exactly what we are doing. The JUMPSTART story continues to deepen and the lives we are reaching are being transformed by God’s grace. “The Vision for Tomorrow” campaign illustrates where we see tremendous opportunities for JUMPSTART. This special focus will fund the necessary infrastructure and staff for JUMPSTART’s long term organizational growth and sustainability. It will enable JUMPSTART to continue to deliver and improve the nation’s best “prison to re-entry into society” program for generations to come.”

Spartanburg Soup Kitchen

Founded by Second Presbyterian Church

“The Soup Kitchen began in February 1981. The members of Second Presbyterian Church made sandwiches for a few hungry people who were behind their new gym. Over time, the number of people grew from only a few to several hundred people daily. The soup kitchen evolved into a permanent mission housed in the church gymnasium. After two decades, the need for a more efficient facility became apparent so the journey to relocate began. In October 2009, The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen was officially formed after obtaining a 501c3 status. City rezoning for a soup kitchen was approved in summer 2010. This property, 136 S. Forest Street, was then purchased in August, 2010 to be the new location. Construction began in June 2011. Work continued for several months until the building was ready in May 2012. After 30 years, The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen had a new home and continues the mission started by Second Presbyterian Church of feeding the hungry in our community.”