Outreach Ministries

St. James’ Outreach Ministries flow out of our common worship life together. As a parish community, we are committed to the pursuit of justice and peace for the sake of our community and the larger city of Baton Rouge. To that end, St. James is also pleased to partner with local organizations to support individuals experiencing various needs. The Outreach Committee consists of a chair, At-Large, and Ex Officio members, as well as representatives from the Vestry and Associate Vestry.

Community Connections Sunday 
Last Sunday of the Month | 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. | Bishops Hall
The St. James Outreach Committee facilitates Community Connections Sunday monthly for our downtown neighbors in need. Guests are invited for a time of fellowship, a warm meal, and pantry staples provided by the Greater BR Food Bank. Other support services, such as EBR Library, basic health screenings, vaccine access, and barbers, are available on as rotating basis. Volunteers can expect to assist in welcoming and serving guests; sign-ups will be distributed in advance. Contact: Larry Mitchum
The following are Community Connections Sunday events for the fall:

  • March 29
  • April 26
  • May 31
  • June 28
  • July 26

St. James Christmas Feast
Sunday, December 14 | 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. | Bishops Hall
The Annual St. James Christmas Feast takes place each year in December and serves up a delicious holiday meal to guests. Basic health and cold-weather items are usually distributed, as well. Akin to Community Connections Sunday, the St. James Food Pantry and other support organizations are on hand. The Feast takes place in Bishops Hall, and volunteers assist in greeting and dining with guests, serving food and drinks, and distributing groceries. Contact: Emily Kelly

 

We Care Bags
We Care bags are simple snack bags made available to our neighbors who are hungry. St. James has an established partnership with the EBR Library System to offer bags to younger library patrons in need. Approximately 100 bags are delivered per week to the Main Library (7711 Goodwood Blvd.) and then distributed through the library courier system to branches where basic food would be most helpful. Volunteers assist in filling and delivering bags. Regular opportunities for volunteers to pack and deliver bags are publicized to the parish community. Contact: Catherine Altazan

St. James Serves 
In addition to the above regular ministries, St. James’ Outreach Committee is pleased to continue regular single-day service opportunities over the course of the 2025-26 program year. The Outreach Committee has flagged November 1, 2025 as a fall day of service. Details for an MLK Day of Service on January 19, 2026 will also be forthcoming. Previous single-day service opportunities have included: area school campus beautification (VIPS); an activities day at a group home (Volunteers of America); lunch pack (St. Vincent De Paul); trash pickup (TULIPA and Keep LA Beautiful); and Front Yard Bikes painting and gardening. 

Seasons of Giving
For the 2025-2026 program year, St. James Outreach is pleased to continue the Seasons of Giving collections in partnership with local organizations. Three collections will occur throughout the year and are easy ways for the larger St. James community to participate in supporting our neighbors. Typically, the collection in July is dedicated to area schools in advance of the school year. The November collection continues St. James’ long-standing Angel Tree drive, providing holiday gifts for individuals and families. A spring Lenten collection supports a local organization to be determined.

Seasons of Giving: St. James Food Pantry
During the Lenten season, you are invited to participate in Outreach’s Season of Giving in support of the St. James Food Pantry. A majority of the food that is provided to our food insecure neighbors is donated to us by the Baton Rouge Food Bank. However, the amount the St. James Food Pantry receives has recently decreased, leading the Outreach Committee to fill the gap. One of the greatest needs is for canned goods and protein, especially with an “easy open” lid (not requiring a can opener).

Your donations will benefit our community throughout the year as we work to ensure that the bags we provide on Community Connections Sundays are full of healthy, filling, and nutritious foods. For convenience, we’ve provided a link to an Amazon Wish List, but you are welcome to bring in donations from any store. Donations can be shipped directly to the church through the link or donation bins are available in the Foyer and narthex.
Ways to participate:
  • Purchase items from the printable list and drop them off at the church.
  • Purchase an item or two from the Amazon wish list which will be sent directly to St. James

Community Partnerships
St. James Outreach is pleased to partner with area organizations working to acknowledge and celebrate the God-given dignity of every human being. Partnerships are realized through semi-regular financial assistance, the publication of community events, and stand-alone workdays. Current partners include Front Yard Bikes, Line4Line, Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge, and Baton Rouge Early Childhood Education Collaborative among others.

Ministries Directory