History
Trinity Community Ministries began operations in February of 1981 in response to the demand for emergency housing for homeless men in downtown Atlanta. The doors of Trinity United Methodist Church were opened to thirty men during the winter months. As the ministry grew, mats on the floor were changed to cots and peanut butter sandwiches turned into hot, hearty meals. Lockers, showers, and clothing were made part of our shelter program.
During the summer of 1981, Trinity United Methodist Church again responded to a need in the community and began a soup line on Sunday afternoons which was later named “Trinity Table“. Trinity Table is a soup kitchen that currently serves approximately 400 homeless or hungry people each Sunday with the assistance of over 70 churches and organizations. With the help of over 2,000 volunteers, Trinity Table serves more than 18,000 meals each year. This long-standing essential service to the community remains at Trinity United Methodist Church and continues to feed the homeless each Sunday.
In 1987, a separate church committee was formed to accommodate the growing needs of the program. The following year, Trinity Community Ministries was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with plans to offer long-term solutions to the homelessness crisis. By this time, members from our supporting churches were full partners in leadership positions in the organization. With incorporation, Trinity Community Ministries began to expand its funding base to include grants from both governmental and private entities.
In 1989, Trinity Community Ministries responded to the need for long term solutions to the problem of homelessness by opening Trinity House (later renamed Trinity House – Big Bethel to reflect a partnership between Trinity Community Ministries and Big Bethel AME Church).
Trinity House – Big Bethel is a 36-bed transitional facility serving homeless men with chronic alcohol and drug-dependency issues. While the program targets African Americans, it does not exclude any homeless man with chronic addiction issues. The program strives to prepare its participants for reintegration into society through counseling and job acquisition assistance which will enable them to become full, contributing members of society.
Today, because of the combined efforts of thousands of volunteers from churches and other concerned organizations throughout Atlanta, TCM continues to serve the homeless community. With God’s help, Trinity Community Ministries will continue to provide outlets for churches and others to connect with and assist the hungry and homeless in our community.
