Author: Steph H

Grove Christian Outreach Center will host its first-ever Grove Gobbler Invitational: The Thanksgiving Showdown on Friday, November 21 and Saturday, November 22, 2025, at The Picklr in Williamsburg.

This lively two-day pickleball tournament will raise funds to support Grove’s end-of-year programs, with a goal of generating $30,000 to bring relief and joy to families across greater Williamsburg. Proceeds will benefit Grove’s Thanksgiving Market and the multiple programs centered around the holidays, including the Community Christmas Market—which provides not only toys and gifts, but also a meaningful measure of hope and support for families during the season.

The Grove Gobbler Invitational will feature doubles competition across co-ed, men’s and women’s divisions in a bracket-style tournament. Registration is open to players of all skill levels ages 14 and older. Pricing is $60 per team for early bird registration by September 21, $70 per team through November 20, and $80 per team for day-of registration. Each team entry includes an official event T-shirt, swag bag, entry into bracketed doubles play and eligibility for medals and prizes.

“Pickleball is all about connection and community, which makes it the perfect way to bring people together for a cause,” said Matthew Pollino, Development Manager at Grove Christian Outreach Center. “The Grove Gobbler Invitational isn’t just about the sport—it’s about serving our neighbors and making sure every family can enjoy healthy meals and more this holiday season.”

In addition to tournament play, the event will include food vendors, music, giveaways and plenty of family-friendly fun. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for local businesses and organizations, ranging from $250 to $5,000, with benefits such as logo placement on event signage and shirts, social media recognition and complimentary team entries.

The Grove Gobbler Invitational will be held indoors at The Picklr, 120 Gristmill Plaza in Williamsburg, ensuring comfortable play regardless of the weather. Play begins Friday evening and continues Saturday morning through early afternoon, with awards to follow.

Grove Christian Outreach Center has served the greater Williamsburg community, starting in lower James City County, for over two decades, offering a wide range of services to help neighbors navigate food insecurity, poverty and crisis with dignity.

For Grove Gobbler Invitational registration, sponsorship details or media inquiries, please contact Matthew Pollino at matt@groveoutreach.com or 757-887-1100.

Register here.

Grove Christian Outreach Center is proud to announce the re-dedication of the Rob Till Community Garden with a Garden Party and ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, September 13, at 11 a.m. at 8901 Pocahontas Trail, James City County.

The celebration is free and open to the public.

The revitalized Rob Till Community Garden, now an official program of Grove Christian Outreach Center, represents a significant step forward in the fight against food insecurity in the Grove and greater Williamsburg community.

The garden will empower neighbors to grow their own fresh produce while also supplementing The Gathering Place at Grove food program, the region’s first free grocery market, with fruits and vegetables distributed weekly to local families.

“As a vital extension of our mission to serve vulnerable families with God’s grace, the Rob Till Community Garden is both a symbol of hope and a practical tool for change,” said Katie Patrick, Executive Director of Grove Christian Outreach Center. “This collaboration enriches our free food program, fosters sustainability and provides fresh, nutritious resources to the 200 to 300 families we serve every week.”

Fellowship with friends and neighbors will follow the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“The Rob Till Community Garden is more than just a beautiful green space, it is a place where food will grow, hands-on education will flourish and community bonds will deepen,” Patrick said. “With this re-dedication, Grove Christian Outreach Center reaffirms its commitment to cultivating hope, health and connection for the Grove community and the greater Williamsburg region.”

Event Details:

• Rob Till Community Garden – 8901 Pocahontas Trail, James City County
• Saturday, September 13, 2025
• 11 a.m.
• Free and open to the public

On Thursday, July 24, Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg and Grove Christian Outreach Center joined forces once again for the annual “Sleigh Hunger: Christmas in July” drive-thru food drive—collecting over 4,600 pounds of food to help stock the shelves of The Gathering Place, Grove’s free grocery market serving vulnerable families in the greater Williamsburg community.

The event, held at the Habitat ReStore in Williamsburg, was fueled by the support of generous donors and an incredible team of volunteers.

“We’re incredibly grateful to our community and to our friends at Habitat ReStore for partnering with us,” said Katie Patrick, Executive Director of Grove Christian Outreach Center. “Thanks to your generosity, we’re able to meet a critical need at The Gathering Place and bring hope to families across our region—not just during the holidays, but every day.”

For Habitat for Humanity, Sleigh Hunger represents the kind of collaborative effort that strengthens the entire community.

“Food security and housing go hand in hand,” said Tiffany King, ReStore Operations Director. “We’re honored to help support families through events like Sleigh Hunger.”

“It was incredible to see so many people, from longtime volunteers to first-time donors, come together with one goal: to help our neighbors,” said Holly Hockaday, Manager of the Habitat ReStore in Williamsburg. “That spirit of generosity is what makes events like this so impactful.”

Organizers called the event a powerful reminder that while holiday giving is important, the need for food assistance is year-round.

“When organizations and individuals unite, meaningful change is possible,” Patrick said.

The need for food assistance continues to grow across Greater Williamsburg, and local shelves are in urgent need of restocking. To meet this demand, we are partnering with Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Williamsburg to host a Christmas in July Drive-Thru Food Drive on Thursday, July 24, with a goal of collecting 10,000 pounds of food to support families served by Grove Christian Outreach Center.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Williamsburg ReStore located at 1303 Jamestown Road.

Donating is simple—just drive through and drop off your items. No need to get out of your car.

Community members are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to help fill the shelves and support neighbors facing food insecurity during the summer months—a time when donations typically slow down but need remains high.

Suggested items include but aren’t limited to:

• Cereal
• Pasta
• Canned vegetables and fruit
• Soups
• Tuna
• Rice
• Baby food

Food donations will directly benefit local families served by Grove Christian Outreach Center.

If you can’t make it on July 24, you can still participate by dropping off donations at any of the Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg ReStores in the region, including the Williamsburg ReStore here, the Newport News ReStore here and the Yorktown ReStore here. any time before the event.

For many students, school isn’t just a place for learning—it’s where they receive their most reliable meals. But what happens when summer vacation begins?

Thanks to a continued partnership with Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools, Grove Christian Outreach Center is making sure no child in the Grove community goes without a nutritious lunch this summer.

From June 23 through August 11, the Grove Summer Lunch Program is providing healthy lunches seven days a week to more than 120 school-aged children.

“This came out of an initiative by the Greater Williamsburg Child Hunger Coalition, which was formed in 2023 and met throughout 2024 and into 2025 to discuss the challenges and solutions to ensure children get a meal for each day of the week,” said Katie Patrick, Executive Director at Grove.

The Coalition was a community-based team of community members including representatives from Williamsburg House of Mercy, FISH, Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools, distinguished pediatrician Cindy Devore, Williamsburg Area Meals on Wheels, Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency, members of the James City County Lions and Grove.

“During the summer, kids are often home—and if their parent isn’t, that opens up the opportunity for them to not receive a meal at all,” said Matthew Pollino, Development Manager at Grove. “This program ensures that children aren’t just being fed—they’re being fed something healthy and nutritious. It’s about making sure they continue to eat well, even when school’s out.”

The Grove Summer Lunch Program is possible thanks to Williamsburg-James City County Schools, a grant from the Williamsburg Health Foundation and the many dedicated volunteers who give so generously of their time.

Here’s how it all works.

The schools prepare, package and freeze the meals. Grove Christian Outreach Center volunteers pick the meals up in a meal delivery truck.

“Volunteers then deliver the majority of the meals to children in the Grove community,” Patrick said.

Meals for all seven days of the week are delivered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The need is real not just in Grove.

In Virginia, 13% of children live below the poverty line (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2025). Nationally, 14 million children experience food insecurity annually, meaning they lack consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life (Feeding America).

Access to nutritious food isn’t just about staying full, it’s about thriving. Research shows that good nutrition plays a key role in keeping skin, teeth and eyes healthy. It supports strong muscles, helps children achieve and maintain a healthy weight and strengthens bones. Proper nourishment also aids brain development, promotes healthy growth, boosts immunity and ensures the digestive system functions effectively.(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024).

Inconsistent access to food during summer months can undo some of the progress made during the school year.

With the food for the Summer Lunch Program already generously provided, donations from the community can continue to fill The Gathering Place, Williamsburg’s first free grocery market here at Grove.

Want to help?

Consider continuing to fill our shelves by donating:

• Peanut butter and jelly
• Fruit cups in 100% juice
• Granola bars
• Applesauce pouches
• Whole grain crackers
• Individual trail mix or nut packs
• Shelf-stable milk or juice boxes

Lauren Landis didn’t set out to build a career in nonprofit leadership—it just kept calling her back.

With a heart for service and a mind for strategy, Lauren has spent years building a career that bridges advocacy, direct service and meaningful community impact. Now, she’s bringing that experience to Grove Christian Outreach Center as our new Operations Director.

Born in Reston, Virginia, Lauren spent most of her childhood in Central Texas before heading back east to attend William & Mary in 2007. But even before college, she was drawn to roles that provided tangible impact.

Her first experience in service came as a teenager. While most highschoolers spent their days off hanging out at the mall, Lauren could be found working at a Christian summer camp that supported children with special needs and their families.

That early introduction to advocacy left a lasting mark. After college, she returned to nonprofit work, interning at An Achievable Dream in Newport News before moving into roles with the Children’s Hospital Foundation in Richmond and the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.

Over the past six years, Lauren shifted focus to climate change solutions, working with grassroots organizations.

“I’m still very passionate about environmental advocacy,” she said. “But I always had the long-term goal to return to local direct service work that centers hunger relief.”

When she saw Grove’s opening for an Operations Director, it felt like a clear fit.

“The mission and the role really aligned with all of the priorities I was keeping an eye out for—commitment to serving vulnerable families by providing immediate resources.”

While she’s still in full learning mode having only joined the team a month ago, Lauren is thinking critically about how her new perspective might support Grove’s future growth alongside Executive Director Katie Patrick. Her vision is to help Grove continue to be what it’s always been: a neighbor.

“Our goal is really to be true neighbors to the group of community members we serve. We hope to have a very tangible, direct impact on their lives to ensure that their most basic needs are met.”

Off the clock, Lauren keeps things cozy. She and her husband are big fans of K-dramas, long walks and Baskin Robbins milkshakes—chocolate fudge, to be exact.

“We’re on a first-name basis with several of the servers,” she admitted with a laugh.

A quiet afternoon, a nap and a scoop of ice cream? That’s her recipe for recharging.

And if spellcheck ever stops working? Lauren’s not worried. A former competitive spelling bee kid, she’s got a knack for words and spelling them right on the first try – a fact her husband teases about with love and admiration.

We’re so excited to welcome Lauren to Grove and look forward to the leadership, insight and compassion she brings to the Williamsburg community.

Eat for a cause…to help feed our neighbors!

We are delighted to announce that every time you order Papa Johns Pizza online and enter promo code GROVE at checkout, Papa Johns will donate 20% of your sale to us here at Grove.

Every dollar donated from Papa Johns will help us support the vulnerable families in the Greater Williamsburg area, providing food, clothing and financial assistance to those in need.

Low-income families in the greater Williamsburg region suffering from food insecurity now have a more dignified way to ensure no one in their household goes hungry thanks to the opening of The Gathering Place at Grove Christian Outreach Center on Nov. 20, 2024.

The Gathering Place marks Williamsburg’s first free grocery market, which offers a dignified shopping experience, free of charge, to vulnerable families across the region.

“We are overjoyed to officially open The Gathering Place and invite families to experience a grocery market designed to meet their needs with dignity and care,” said Katie Patrick, Executive Director of Grove Christian Outreach Center, during a ribbon cutting at the market. “This is more than a food resource; it’s a place of hope, connection and community.”

It’s also a solution to the rising need for fresh, nutritious and accessible food in the community.

The Gathering Place operates as a grocery store, empowering families to select food and household items that best suit their needs and preferences. Unlike traditional food pantries, this model offers fresh produce, dairy, proteins and pantry staples in an environment that feels welcoming and familiar – like a grocery store.

Allowing families who have qualified to receive services from the Center to select items on their own also reduces food waste compared to traditional pantry models.

The approximately 2,000-square-foot Gathering Place space was designed to alleviate the stigma often associated with receiving food assistance, making it a welcoming resource for families navigating challenging times.

“For a long time, food pantries operated as back door ministries,” explained Patrick. “But when people need food assistance, they don’t want to go to the back door or have shame associated with their families. Food is love, and love doesn’t hide.”

The Gathering Place was made possible through the generosity of local donors, businesses  and community partners who believe in Grove Christian Outreach Center’s mission to provide practical, compassionate assistance to neighbors in need.

“We would not be opening The Gathering Place without the support of the community, whether that’s from our volunteers who show up in many different ways, whether that’s from the Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce, or the elected officials who support and are so grateful for the work that we do for residents,” said Patrick. “The greater Williamsburg community has really stepped up in remarkable ways to make this dream a reality.”

Regional grocery retailer Food Lion played an important role in the opening of The Gathering Place. The Center was selected to participate in The Great Pantry Makeover, an annual Food Lion Feeds event, where local Food Lion associates spent 30 days volunteering to complete The Gathering Place buildout and stock the shelves with more than 3,000 pounds of shelf-stable food.

The Williamsburg Health Foundation was also a key supporter, helping to fund the installation of new, highly efficient refrigeration systems for storing fresh produce, dairy and other items.

“What an amazingly beautiful place,” said Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce CEO Terry Banez, noting how the Center provided over 1,000 food pantry visits to area families in October 2024 alone. “It’s really phenomenal what the Grove Christian Outreach Center has done, and we wish the team much success going forward.”

Grove Christian Outreach Center provides food, clothing and financial assistance to those in need. Over the last 20 years, programs have evolved and grown to also include services such as food delivery programs for household seniors, school supply drives for local families and holiday programs. With the community’s support, in 2023, a total of 31,901 people were served through various programs.

Grove Christian Outreach Center invites individuals, businesses, and organizations to join the mission by volunteering, donating or sponsoring it’s programs, including The Gathering Place.