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Who We AreOrganized in 1997, Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries (SAEM) is a gathering of lay people and pastors from Salem, western Roanoke County and local service agencies working together in the name of Christ to serve people in need in our community.
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What We Do
Together, we
- coordinate and support awareness of and access to available community resources;
- promote cooperation among churches and civic organizations to address unmet community needs;
- put our faith in action by contributing countless volunteer hours;
- contribute strong financial support to many local social programs; and,
- we reach out to others in our community through education and ministry.
Who We Are
Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries is a gathering of representatives (lay and pastoral) from Salem and western Roanoke County churches and local service agencies. We are supported by many community partners. Together we strive to:
Invite, Involve, Inspire, Educate and Strengthen our communities by putting our faith in action.
SAEM serves to strengthen community resources by encouraging collaboration in the areas of food, clothing and educational resources.
Invite, Involve, Inspire, Educate and Strengthen our communities by putting our faith in action.
SAEM serves to strengthen community resources by encouraging collaboration in the areas of food, clothing and educational resources.
What We Do
At-risk school children in Salem and western Roanoke County face food insecurity every day. Last year, almost 1 in 3 school age-children in the Salem school division were eligible for free or reduced breakfast and lunch. That's good news for these children during the school year, but what happens on Saturday and Sunday or during the summer months when many may have very little to eat?
That's where our ACT Packs for Children, the Summer Feed and Read program and the Student-Led Food Pantries make a difference!
These programs require strong community financial support and volunteer hours. Please donate and/or tell us of your interest in volunteering.
If you are interested in supporting our feeding programs,
please contact Garry Lautenschlager
at saemvainfo@gmail.com or 540-389-4889.
Donations can be mailed to:
SAEM
P. O. Box 737
Salem, VA 24153
That's where our ACT Packs for Children, the Summer Feed and Read program and the Student-Led Food Pantries make a difference!
These programs require strong community financial support and volunteer hours. Please donate and/or tell us of your interest in volunteering.
If you are interested in supporting our feeding programs,
please contact Garry Lautenschlager
at saemvainfo@gmail.com or 540-389-4889.
Donations can be mailed to:
SAEM
P. O. Box 737
Salem, VA 24153
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Salem High School to Implement Student-Led Food PantryA group of Salem churches, nonprofits and government agencies received a two-year, $59,450 grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) to launch a Healthy Communities Action Team (HCAT) to initiate and support student led food pantries. The “Giving Light” Food Pantry at Andrew Lewis Middle School and the "Salem Bread" Food Pantry at Salem High School are currently serving over 35 families each week.
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SAEM is pleased to partner with Andrew Lewis Middle School and Salem High School to implement a student-led food pantry currently serving over 35 families each week. The food pantries increase access to healthy foods that provide a “student-choice” design where students shop from a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy staples and provide feedback. The food pantries are supported by school-based food drives and community food collection.
The school food pantries are guided by a student council and continuously stocked by donations from local congregations, businesses, community groups and individuals. In addition, the project focuses on creating policy change that refocuses anti-hunger efforts to allow students to tackle obesity and food insecurity. This is done through setting collection guidelines to include foods based on low-fat, low-sugar, and low sodium options. The student pantry council will create a written policy for the governance of the food pantry and "bring-a-food" event admission policies.
The school food pantries are guided by a student council and continuously stocked by donations from local congregations, businesses, community groups and individuals. In addition, the project focuses on creating policy change that refocuses anti-hunger efforts to allow students to tackle obesity and food insecurity. This is done through setting collection guidelines to include foods based on low-fat, low-sugar, and low sodium options. The student pantry council will create a written policy for the governance of the food pantry and "bring-a-food" event admission policies.
Our Leadership
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Cindy Neathawk, Chair
Artice Ledbetter, Vice Chair, Feeding Programs Trula Byington, Vice Chair, Clothes Closet Carey Harveycutter, Treasurer Garry Lautenschlager, Secretary Joan Dorsey, Director Emerita Teri Atkins, Director Reverend Bryan Buckles, Director |
Sandy Hart, Director
Joyce Earl, Director Crissy Brake, Director Scotti Hartman, Director Beverly Looney, Director Tanya Ridpath, Director Teresa Sizemore-Hernandez, Director Robin Pillis, Director |