The Regional Council for Christian Ministry is a non-profit corporation that was organized in 1965 by local churches. Its purpose is to coordinate programs in Christian education, service, and outreach in the local area.
RCCM PROGRAMS
We have three standing committees that operate the following outreach programs under RCCM’s umbrella:
Community Food Basket Idaho Falls
F.I.S.H.—Friends in Service Here
Community Food Basket Idaho Falls In 1979, several families who were members of “Bread for the World” met to determine the need for a food bank in Idaho Falls. By the middle of 1980, the food bank they started came under the sponsorship of the Regional Council. To obtain food, a person or family must be referred by a local service agency or church. There is a limit of six boxes given in any six-month period for each case, and each box provides food for three meals a day for four days.
This program is supported by the donations of many caring individuals, churches, civic groups, grants, and significant gifts from the Goodfellow Fund. Many thanks are given for the extraordinary donations of food items. Needed food items are purchased, prepared, and distributed by over 300 volunteers. New volunteers are always needed to collect donated food, stock shelves, pack boxes, distribute food boxes, and enter information into the computer.
The Commuity Food Basket Distribution Center is located at 351 W 14th St. Idaho Falls.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION HOURS
Current food distribution hours to better serve the community.
Mondays | 3 p.m.- 5 p.m.
Tuesdays | 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesdays | 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursdays | 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Fridays | 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Community Food Basket Executive Director Report Link
F.I.S.H.—Friends in Service Here
Ministers from First Lutheran Church and St. John’s Episcopal Church (now St. Luke’s Episcopal church) started this outreach program in 1974, to help local people who found themselves in emergency financial situations. F.I.S.H., Friends In Service Here, has become the last resort agency that provides help with personal hygiene items, prescriptions, food, travel, gasoline, temporary lodging, non-food items, and so on, when no one else can help the individuals in need. Clients are referred to FISH from other agencies. FISH works with local elementary schools to provide school supplies to deserving children. Personal hygiene kits are assembled from donated items and distributed to individuals and other agencies. FISH is supported totally by donations from individuals and churches. Volunteers operate FISH.
A FISH volunteer can be reached by calling 521-2631 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.
Island Park Ministry Team
The Little Church in the Pines was built as a shared place of worship and was dedicated on July 6, 1941. This is the Regional Council’s oldest continuing program, originally developed as a mission project by the First Lutheran Church with support from the regional Lutheran church in 1965. It came under the administration of the Regional Council in 1968. Various churches support the weekly services from Memorial Day through September each year by attending and providing music, refreshments, etc. The attendance averages about 108 people per week during the summer. The organizational leadership of this Committee rotates among the Regional Council’s member churches. The Little Church in the Pines is now open year round – services are at 11:00 a.m. during the off season.
The Island Park Ministry Team provides weekly ecumenical worship services each Sunday during the summer season at 10 a.m., at the Little Church in the Pines, in Island Park, Idaho. A Christian minister is hired for the summer season. The program is funded through Sunday offerings, donations and member church support.
Should you plan to visit Island Park, please come as you are and worship with us!
The RCCM office is located at the Community Food Basket Idaho Falls Distribution Center, 351 W 14th St., Idaho Falls.
If you wish to assist with one of our programs or want more information, please contact us at:
Regional Council for Christian Ministry, Inc.
P. O. Box 2236
Idaho Falls, ID 83403
Phone: 524-9935
Email: rccmadmin@feedidahofalls.org
At present, the Regional Council membership consists of the following Christian churches in Idaho Falls:
First Christian Church, 1800 E 12th St, 523-3241
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 270 N Placer, 522-8465
First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 455 W Sunnyside, 522-9301
First Presbyterian Church, 325 Elm St, 523-0501
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1730 St. Clair Rd, 522-9076
Trinity United Methodist Church, 237 N Water, 522-7921
St. John Lutheran Church, 290 7th St, 522-5650
Church of Jesus Christ of LDS - Associate Members - Kevin & Kelly Call
New Day Lutheran Church, Mail: 2184 Channing Way #474 270 N Placer
IF Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 800 Westhill Avenue 522-7938
