Belmont Community Resource Services is a non-profit that began as the Food and Clothing Ministry of Belmont United Methodist Church. The non-profit as an umbrella organization includes the feeding ministry, clothing closet along with an other mission opportunities. The feeding ministry provides food to over 650 families each week in an area where there is much food insecurity. This drive thru food pantry operates every Friday from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and always has a need for volunteers to assist in food and clothing distribution. Our clothing closet provided much needed clothing to over 140 families each week. Many area churches provide volunteers to help with the Friday distribution. For more information, please visit: bcrsrva.org
The Racial Justice Network (RJN) are followers of Jesus committed to racial justice by building strong cross-racial relationships, learning about, and advocating for racial justice as essential to Christian discipleship. RJN represents over 300 individuals and 30 different churches in the Virginia Commonwealth and beyond. We are guided by the three principles for promoting racial justice as lifted by Jamar Tisby: Awareness, Relationships, and Commitment.
Each month RJN meets to discuss and learn about a current racial justice topic, such as mass incarceration, Howard Thurman, and immigration. The meeting is held by Zoom the first Thursday of each month, 7:00-8:30pm. To receive the Zoom link and be added to the email list, send a message to racialjnetwork@gmail.com .
RJN also hosts an annual conference at Belmont UMC in February/March to focus on different racial justice topics. Topics have included: “Resisting Racial Injustice in the Way of Jesus” and “Journey to Healing”.
RJN partners with Rev. Dr. Jim Melson and the Cornelius Corps (https://corneliuscorps.org/) to offer online workshops about Civil Rights history. This year’s course was “On the Move: The Legacy of 1966 for 2026”. In addition, RJN organizes groups to attend local protests and shares opportunities for individuals and churches to promote racial justice whenever and wherever they can.
The church has supported through finances, material donations and team members the mission to Cuba. Church members work side by side with Cuba congregations to help with reconstruction work of church buildings.