Chautauqua County Gleaning Project

Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, Inc. is a non-profit, non-denominational human service agency. Rural Ministry began in the 1950’s when a group of concerned citizens sought more effective ways to help the growing migrant community, which was at risk of living in substandard housing, not having enough nutritious food and clothing, and suffering discrimination.

Rural Ministry evolved over the years and expanded its focus to include all those who are in need of the basic necessities of life. Its programs have also expanded to include: the Emergency Food Pantry, the Coburn Block Emergency Housing Units, the Emergency Clothing Voucher Program, the Garment Gallery, the Friendly Kitchen, the Coburn Block Apartments, the Furniture Distribution Program, and the Chautauqua County Gleaning Project.

Rural Ministry was responsible for creating the first successful rape and domestic violence hotline in Chautauqua County and influenced many local human service agencies to develop a better awareness of the dynamics of violence in the home.

Similarly, Rural Ministry surveyed Chautauqua County in the mid-1980s to assess the issue of homelessness as it appears in rural areas. The resulting report on rural homelessness was the only one of its kind in the country at that time and was utilized by members of Congress in 1988 when drafting and passing the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Housing Act.

Over the years, Rural Ministry has been involved in a number of controversial issues in its commitment to fight for the rights of the disenfranchised and will continue to act as a place of hope for those in need. Our agency receives support from a variety of sources including local churches, state and federal grants, private foundations, and donations from members of the local community. Our agency is successful because people in the community care about others and generously support our mission to give a hand up to those in need.