About Us
SERVE, Inc. knows that strength not only lies in our words, but in our actions as well. We have set out on a mission to truly serve others. SERVE, Inc. inspires action, serves donors, and supports our community and has done so since our inception. While we have grown leaps and bounds since the beginning, our mission to serve others has remained the same for nearly 50 years.
SERVE was founded in 1971 by a group of local churches and pastors from many denominations, known as the Ecumenical Ministries. The nine congregations that made up this group included Callaway County churches that were committed to doing ministry work together for the betterment of the community. The Ecumenical Ministries quickly realized that the needs of the community far exceeded the resources of the churches, and therefore developed SERVE, Incorporated to be the social service arm of the organization.
SERVE was chartered as a non-profit social service agency in July 1972, with a goal to define the areas of human needs in Callaway County and seek to meet those needs. SERVE officially opened its doors in January 1973. At that time, SERVE was committed to working with potential at-risk students, supporting daycare needs, providing a food assistance program, and to support that work with senior citizen volunteers. SERVE also provided assistance to individuals and families seeking adequate housing. Since then, we have grown to offer a variety of client services such as a county-wide food pantry, emergency financial assistance and utility assistance for individuals facing financial difficulties, emergency prescription assistance, low cost clothing and household items, disaster relief assistance, and our county’s Public Transportation system. Our services have grown through the years as the needs of our community have changed, and our commitment to continue serving has grown with it.
SERVE has always been a firm foundation of committed service and continues striving every day to complete our mission: To organize, facilitate, promote and provide services to meet the needs of the citizens of Callaway County.
SERVE was founded in 1971 by a group of local churches and pastors from many denominations, known as the Ecumenical Ministries. The nine congregations that made up this group included Callaway County churches that were committed to doing ministry work together for the betterment of the community. The Ecumenical Ministries quickly realized that the needs of the community far exceeded the resources of the churches, and therefore developed SERVE, Incorporated to be the social service arm of the organization.
SERVE was chartered as a non-profit social service agency in July 1972, with a goal to define the areas of human needs in Callaway County and seek to meet those needs. SERVE officially opened its doors in January 1973. At that time, SERVE was committed to working with potential at-risk students, supporting daycare needs, providing a food assistance program, and to support that work with senior citizen volunteers. SERVE also provided assistance to individuals and families seeking adequate housing. Since then, we have grown to offer a variety of client services such as a county-wide food pantry, emergency financial assistance and utility assistance for individuals facing financial difficulties, emergency prescription assistance, low cost clothing and household items, disaster relief assistance, and our county’s Public Transportation system. Our services have grown through the years as the needs of our community have changed, and our commitment to continue serving has grown with it.
SERVE has always been a firm foundation of committed service and continues striving every day to complete our mission: To organize, facilitate, promote and provide services to meet the needs of the citizens of Callaway County.
