The food pantry is not just about food; it’s about giving hope.

We feed the Body and the Soul.

"The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor." - Proverbs 22:9 

Our member churches run a “Stone Soup” supper program

(take-out only during the pandemic) at their church locations around town,

on Thursday afternoons, by reservation only.  

Once masks are no longer required,

Stone Soup will be dining in–person again.

The Food Pantry

PLEASE NOTE:​  NEW HOURS: Starting JUNE 1st, 2022
Mondays 9AM to 12PM - Wednesday 4-8pm -  

Fridays 9AM to12PM 
​First & Last Saturday of the month from 10AM - Noon

(With the exception of Holiday Weekends)

Volunteers Needed

Come see for yourself how lives are enriched by the many services that VEM provides. From students to Seniors we are always looking and welcome more people. As they say, “Many hands make light work”.

Our Mission

​​​​Church Members

 What is VEM?

     VEM is for you!  VEM means Village Ecumenical Ministries.   
This is an association of Christian churches in the greater Carthage area, 

formed about 50 years ago, as a non-profit, to offer help to you, our neighbors.
      Each church or faith group pays annual dues to have voice and vote on the Board of Directors. 
     Visitors to the Board meetings are always welcome. 
   
Because Jesus Christ came to save and to serve, in his name, 

VEM also provides services to the people who live inside the boundaries of the 
Carthage Central School district.

We offer Christ to you for your spiritual well-being. We provide worship services on Sunday afternoons at 2 pm at Carthage Rehab Center on West Street for residents and their families.  We hold special services together, as we prepare for Christmas and Easter, Martin Luther King Day, and the National Day of Prayer.   

All are welcome to attend.  Stay tuned dates, times, and places!  

We offer assistance for your physical well-being:
+We offer meeting room for recovery support groups for those who fight chemical addictions.
+We offer gas cards to patients with serious illness receiving out of town medical care, other help depending on the situation check with us and

ask about our Emergency Fund! We also are a Salvation Army hub at the Food Pantry too!

+We co-sponsor the WCTA shuttle bus service, which enables senior citizens to travel to shop and get to medical appointments for a reasonable price. 

 See their website for more info.
 https://racog.org/wilna-champion-transportation-association/

+We partner with local churches to give basic school supplies to preschool though seniors in August.

+We offer Project Angel Tree at Christmastime, by pre-registration only,

so that families can receive age-appropriate, correctly sized, presents for Christmas. 
Along with the supplies to fix a nice Christmas dinner.  

 We host several fundraisers each year, to help us provide these services to you.
     +Currently being planned are a pulled pork dinner, and our 2nd annual small business raffle auction.  
Stay tuned for details!

+We also try to give back to the community that supports us. In the plans now are a military appreciation dinner.
Keep watch for details as they become available. 

+For further information, especially to start to receive the help VEM provides, please contact one of our fabulous food pantry volunteers.  

The VEM Food Pantry has a Facebook page as well to help with updates. 

The VEM provides a framework for cooperation of the churches in Christian education, worship/celebration services, Christian community and mission. Our member Churches represent all different segments and areas of our communities.

On July 9-10, 2022, 3-10 pm, the North Country Music Festival will be held for its fifth year, at the Farmers’ Market Pavilion on Spring Street in Carthage (it is behind Simon’s Farm and Garden Center).  Live bands from all over the USA and Australia will perform and talk about what it means to be a Christian today.  Many kinds of music will be shared, from folk and rock to heavy metal!  Counseling will be available; a prayer tent will be staffed; there is no charge for the concerts nor for the help we offer.  Picnic type food will be available for purchase.  Should you wish to financially support this music festival, please write your check to “Cabin 3 The Outpost” and send it to Rev Erik Sverika, 511 State Street Carthage NY 13619.  Should you wish to volunteer to help staff this event, please call Rev. Erik at 315 456 9476.

Upcoming Events

In its simplest terms, the mission of the VEM is  “helping churches come together” in order to provide a “light for the community”, and to serve the community.

If you would like to support

ANY of our ministries you can

mail a check made payable to VEM,  

to PO Box 566 Carthage NY 13619.
IF YOU would like it designated for a special ministry,

put that in the memo line,

otherwise it will be used where needed.

We have NO employees, 

all donations are used

100% for the ministries. 

​

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

"The unity of the church to help ALL who have a Spiritual or Physical need."

Current Officers

Pastor David Haldeman - President

Carthage Mennonite & Deer River 1st Congregational

Pastor Erik Svereika - Vice President
Carthage First Baptist 

Warren Fargo - Treasurer

Woolworth Memorial Church

Decima Chiasson - Secretary

Grace Episcopal