COMMUNITY GARDEN
American Reformed Church has provided the vision and space for the only community garden in Orange City. The mission of the Community Garden at ARC is to cultivate community through gardening, to provide for the needs of community members, and to model and educate on care for creation.
The Community Garden at ARC offers 56 plots, located north of the church parking lot; each plot is 20x20 feet. The plots can be reserved by anyone who enjoys growing their own produce and gathering together. All levels of gardening experience are welcome, from experts to novices. There is access to four water spigots—two on each the north and south sides of the garden—and compost may be placed in the unit on-site.
Fruit Orchard
East of the garden plots are raspberry and rhubarb patches as well as an expanding orchard. Produce from the patches and orchard is available “you-pick” and first-come, first-served to anyone with a garden plot.
Reserving your garden: $25/season*
Our mission is to provide a place for community among people of all diverse backgrounds: cultural, religious, and economic. ANYONE can reserve a community garden plot; you do not need to be a member of American Reformed Church. Gardeners from the previous year are given first option of renewing their plot reservation. New reservations are taken year-round and placed on a waiting list for available plots.
*Garden rental proceeds are used for garden maintenance, improvement, and expansion. Anyone for whom $25 is a financial hardship may request a lower rate.
Contact:
Jan Vandermeulen
Community Garden Committee Chair
janicevandermeulen@gmail.com
ORANGE CITY FOOD PANTRY
The Orange City Food Pantry is hosted by American Reformed Church and supported by 17 partner churches, as well as numerous individuals and community businesses and organizations. Beginning January 2024, the Pantry will be open the 4th Saturday of each month from 9AM-12PM (noon).
To Receive Groceries
The purpose of the Food Pantry is to assist people living in the Sioux County communities of Alton, Granville, Hospers, Maurice, and Orange City as an emergency food source. The Pantry should not be considered as a weekly or monthly grocery store.
Beginning January 2024, the Pantry will be open for walk ins the 4th Saturday of each month from 9AM—12PM (noon).
If you are in a crisis situation and need immediate help, you must have a referral from a social or government agency, pastor, priest, or other church leader. Those making a referral should call the American Reformed Church office (712-737-4430) to provide contact and referral information. Arrangements will then be made to pick up items. If you do not have a referral, you will be asked to come back to the next monthly distribution on the 4th Saturday,.
Please Note: If you need additional assistance, please go to the Department of Human Services office at 215 Central Ave. SE Orange City (712-737-2943), the Mid-Sioux Opportunity office 618 14th St. SE Sioux Center (712-722-3611), Zestos 1008 3rd Ave. Alton (712-756-4456), or Hope Food Pantry 1913 S Main Ave, Sioux Center (712-722-3937). A complete list of local resources is available at the Sioux County Community Health Partners website siouxcountychp.org.
To Donate
The Food Pantry always needs to be restocked. Scroll down to see a list of needed items and how to drop them off.
Financial donations are also appreciated! Click here to use our secure online giving platform.
You are also welcome to mail a check to:
American Reformed Church
Attn: Food Pantry
407 Albany Ave. SE
Orange City, IA 51041
To Volunteer
The Food Pantry invites volunteers to help sort grocery donations, stock shelves, prepare grocery sacks for distribution, and make deliveries to area families. To volunteer, call the church office or contact:
Junia Punt
712.395.0174
juniapunt@hotmail.com
THE PANTRY NEEDS TO STOCK UP ON THESE BASIC ITEMS
flour
sugar
canned veggies and fruits
peanut butter
jelly or jam or fruit spread
oatmeal
canned soups and stews
canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon, etc.)
cereal
pasta
rice
toilet paper
paper towels
facial tissue
toothpaste and toothbrushes
hand soap
laundry soap
baby wipes
Donations can be dropped off at American Reformed Church, 407 Albany Ave. SE in Orange City. Please place items in the east entry vestibule (lower level parking lot doors)
Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm.
We cannot accept dented, outdated, opened, or home-canned items.
Thank you for your help in this important community service!
KIDS HOPE USA
Loving Our Neighbors Beyond Church Walls
Mission: Kids Hope USA builds life-changing relationships one at a time: One Child. One Hour. One School. One Church.
What: American Reformed Church partners with Orange City Elementary School through a nonprofit organization called Kids Hope USA to match mentors with students considered “at-risk” in our community. One adult spends one hour with one student once a week to build a mentoring relationship.
Who: Mentors —Trusted adults of ARC who commit to meeting with a student until they graduate from 5th grade.
Prayer Partners —Trusted adults of ARC who partner with one particular mentor/student pair and pray regularly for transformation and hope in the name of Jesus.
Where: Orange City Elementary School in Orange City, Iowa
When: Lunch hour. Mentors choose a day of the week that works best for them and remain committed to showing up that day throughout the school year.
Why: One of our key practices at ARC is to Serve. Through Kids Hope USA, we go outside our church walls to love and serve students considered “at-risk” for social, academic, or emotional needs. We build relationships to show children that they matter—to us, to our community, and to God.
Questions? Contact Lizzy Rice, ARC's director of children's and middle school formation, at lizzyarcoc@gmail.com.
LIFESERVE BLOOD DRIVES
American Reformed Church hosts two blood drives a month through LifeServe: the second Thursday of the month from 1pm-6pm and the fourth Thursday of the month from 9:30am-2pm. Sign up to give blood at https://www.lifeservebloodcenter.org/