Community Involvement Throughout The Years

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church has served downtown Wilkes-Barre since 1817 and has a long history of caring for people beyond its walls. It was one of the sites for the city’s first soup kitchen and for V.I.S.I.O.N., an overnight homeless shelter program that later became the parish’s REACH ministry for people in social and economic distress. In the 1990s the parish sponsored the Interfaith Health Clinic with Mercy Hospital and the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, which later merged into the Wilkes-Barre Free Health Clinic, offering medical, dental, and dispensary care to the working poor and uninsured. Today St. Stephen’s hosts an annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial, takes part in the hosting rotation for Mother Theresa’s Haven, a men’s shelter run by Catholic Social Services, and runs food and clothing outreach. Anyone who wants to volunteer can call the parish office at 570-825-6653.

The Power Of Giving

“It is possible to give without loving, but it is impossible to love without giving.”

At St. Stephen’s, we believe every blessing we receive comes from God and is meant to be shared for the good of all. When you give, you help us care for our community as Christ calls us to, offering His love through service to our neighbors in need. Please prayerfully consider making a pledge to support our ministry here at St. Stephen’s.

Making a Difference, Pledging...

The ministry and outreach of St. Stephen’s are made possible by the generosity of our members, our neighbors, and the many friends who support our work. Each year, we plan how we’ll serve the community based on the pledges we receive. Knowing what you intend to give helps us set realistic goals and make the most of every gift throughout the year. Your pledge is non-binding and can be fulfilled in a single gift or spread out over regular contributions. Thank you for helping us share God’s love as we look ahead to 2027.

Pledge for 2027
Pledge Form PDF

Partnering with St. Elizabeth's Way to Make a Larger Difference...

When St. Elizabeth’s Way set out to start free outreach dinners in Wilkes-Barre, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on South Franklin Street opened its doors and welcomed the new ministry. What began as dinners on two Fridays a month has grown into a coalition of local churches and organizations, and St. Elizabeth’s Way now serves free community dinners three times a week to anyone who needs a meal. On average that’s about 70 meals a day and more than 1,000 a month, with help from partners like Back Mountain Harvest Church and Diamond City Alliance, which take turns providing and serving dinner. The partnership builds on St. Stephen’s long tradition of feeding and sheltering people in downtown Wilkes-Barre, and it gives St. Elizabeth’s Way a central, welcoming place to reach neighbors in need.

Community Dinners

St. Elizabeth’s Way serves free community dinners every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, offering a warm, home-cooked meal to anyone in the Wilkes-Barre community who could use one. Everyone is welcome to attend, so come hungry, bring a friend, and share a meal with neighbors around a welcoming and common table.

Check The Calendar

Our Involvement

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church opens its common space and kitchen to St. Elizabeth’s Way, giving the ministry a place to prepare and serve free community dinners in the heart of downtown Wilkes-Barre. This partnership lets St. Elizabeth’s Way and its volunteers offer warm meals and a welcoming table to anyone in the community who needs one.

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