Ministry with Farmworkers

As part of its mission statement to "share this Good News with our neighbors in word and deed," the Pennsylvania Council of Churches reaches out to our neighbors who pick the mushrooms, apples, peaches and cherries we eat. We are partners with two farmworker ministries, the Chester County Migrant Ministry and the Fruitbelt Farmworker Ministry.

Chester County Migrant Ministry

In Chester county, we minister through the Chester County Migrant Ministry. Under the direction of Lorraine Armstrong Martinez, CCMM works with the year- round population of people who harvest mushrooms in Kennett Square, the mushroom capitol of the nation.

Most of the workers come with their families and live year round in the Kennett Square area.

All year long, they report to work around 4:00 a.m. to harvest each day's crop and ensure that it gets to market in a timely manner.

The CCMM offers warm clothing for these workers who often arrive in this country ill-prepared for northern winters. Other services offered through CCMM include Bible Study (which also help immigrants learn English), citizenship classes, transportation to Philadelphia for immigration matters, translation services with doctors, etc.

During the course of a year, CCMM helps at least 200 people with the citizenship process.

Fruitbelt Farmworker Christian Ministry

In Adams, Franklin and Cumberland counties, we minister through Fruitbelt Farmworker Christian Ministry. Under the leadership of The Rev. Roddy Runyan, FFCM serves the migrant and seasonal workers who harvest apples, peaches and cherries.

Most of the workers are single men who come without their families and live in migrant camps for the harvest season. A few of the workers remain in the area to help with pruning and other tasks.

The service of FFCM includes supplying health kits, blankets and sweatshirts to newly arrived pickers, arranging churches to visit work camps, meeting emergency needs of pickers and bible studies.

Management Committees

Both ministries are overseen by a management committee. The committees are designed to include representatives of local churches, ministerial associations, in some cases growers, media, and other non-profit groups serving migrant population. The committees' duties include program planning, coordination, and evaluation. Committees meet 6-9 times a year.

Things You Can Do

1. Make a financial contribution to be credited to either ministry. Send your donation to PA Council of Churches, 900 S. Arlington Avenue, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17109-5089.  Designate your donation for "farmworkers" in which case it will be divided between both ministries, or designate "Fruitbelt" or "Chester County."

2. Make donations of clothing, health kits or other items. Contact CCMM at  610.444.0387 or FFCM at 717.677.0032 to determine current needs

3. Serve on a management committee. Contact either ministry for more information

4. Help your Church "Adopt a Camp" in the Fruitbelt Farmworker area. Congregations are needed to sponsor picnics with workers, play games, deliver health kits, conduct brief worship services (interpreters available) or other activities. Contact Roddy Runyan.

5. Help with transportation in the Chester/Philadelphia area. Contact Bob Walton at 610.793.2806

If you have other questions about the ministries, contact The Rev. Doug Hodges, Coordinator of Direct Ministries, PA Council of Churches.