OUTREACH

At St. Andrew’s, our call to follow Jesus extends beyond our doors—loving service is at the heart of everything we do. Through acts of compassion, generosity, and partnership, our Outreach Commission connects with the real needs of our neighbors in Ayer and beyond. Whether collecting food, providing school supplies, supporting tuition-free education, building homes with Habitat, or joining youth-led efforts like CityReach, our outreach is about faithful action. It’s not just about giving—it’s about walking alongside others, building relationships, and responding together to God’s call in our world.

Outreach Initiatives

Loaves & Fishes – Devens, Massachusetts

Founded in the basement of St. Andrew’s in 1983, Loaves & Fishes has grown into a vital resource now based in Devens, providing food and temporary support services to neighbors in Ayer and surrounding towns. St. Andrew’s continues to support the pantry through weekly food donations, seasonal drives for toiletries and school supplies, and efforts like “Row (or a Pot) for the Hungry,” where parishioners grow fresh produce for those in need. It’s a long-standing partnership rooted in compassion, dignity, and community care.

Esperanza Academy – Lawrence, Massachusetts

Esperanza Academy is a 100% tuition free school located in Lawrence, MA. It serves 60 girls in grades 5 through 8 and is taught in the “Episcopal tradition.” Based on the needs of the school, St. Andrews has provided students water bottles, tights and socks as well as financial support.

Sisters of the Society of Saint Margaret – Duxbury, Massachusetts

This Episcopal order of nuns at the Society of Saint Margaret maintains their Mother House in Duxbury where they welcome visitors for retreat and spiritual hospitality. The Sisters also work in Dorchester with inner-city children and youth; in New York City at Trinity Church, Wall Street; and in Port au Prince, Haiti. Our donations are generally directed towards support in Haiti to help with the renovation of the Sisters’ campus of buildings including a convent, vocational schools and the Foyer Notre Dame, a home for elderly, indigent women. The Sisters sell Haitian handcrafts at our Christmas Fair each year.

Barbara C. Harris Camp & Conference Center – Greenfield, NH

Camp scholarships for the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center are offered to St. Andrew’s parishioners. The Camp is a hospitality ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, helping people grow in faith and community.  It has been welcoming campers of all faiths and traditions since 2003. There are a number of available summer camp program options.

Habitat for Humanity of North Central Massachusetts - Leominster, MA

St. Andrews has had the opportunity to support the construction of a two-family Habitat home locally in Ayer where a group of parishioners volunteered at the site.

CityReach

CityReach is an overnight urban outreach program which gives these young people the opportunity to learn first hand about homelessness from people who have experienced it. During the 20 hour session, participants join CityReach staff in street ministry and offer hospitality, food and clothing, as well as engage in times of sharing and reflection. In March 2023, St. Andrew's youth participated alongside youth from Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and UCC Groton.