Neutral Ground Ministry ". . . whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me." -- Matthew 25:40

The HIV virus attacks the infected person’s immune system. AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection. Today there are 40 million people worldwide living with HIV. 8,000 die daily. 14,000 orphans have been left behind as parents die of AIDS. In the U.S., one million people are infected and many thousands of those infected are, as yet, not aware that they carry the disease. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is the greatest humanitarian crisis the world has ever seen. We, at First United Methodist Church, want to do our part to care for and support those who are affected by this virus while building Christ-centered relationships in an environment that offers safe sanctuary to our guests.

Neutral Ground, working in conjunction with Heart of Illinois HIV/AIDS center (HIHAC) came into being as a pantry to give out items such as liquid cleaning fluids, disinfectants, soap, personal hygiene and sanitary items to help persons with HIV/AIDS in their never-ending struggle against further life-threatening infections and disease.

The items provided by the Neutral Ground pantry are vital to HIV infected persons who have little or no immunity. The cost of the items, which are used in large quantities, is prohibitive to persons of low income and they cannot be purchased with food stamps. Most guests at the pantry have incomes below the Federal Poverty Level. Please see the below for a list of our pantry needs. In addition to the pantry, we also have need of Bibles, as our guests have requested them.

The pantry is located in a small former drive-up bank building at the corner of Perry and Hamilton in Peoria and is open on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The 100+ guests, who come to Neutral Ground, are selected by the HIHAC Clinic from over 400 clients from Central Illinois. Each guest, who comes to the pantry, brings a voucher listing the individual needs and is signed by the client’s case manager at the Clinic.

As guests arrive at the pantry, each guest gives his or her voucher to a team member who takes it to the inventory shelved at Neutral Ground. Other team members fill the orders in plastic bags and keep records of items given to each individual. The voucher requests are filled as fully as possible, depending on the day’s inventory. Items most in demand (laundry soap, toilet paper, paper towels, etc.) occasionally run out by the end of the afternoon and orders cannot be filled fully. The amount of supplies depends on contributions coming in each week.

Neutral Ground not only supplies the needed health items, but provides a Christian caring environment. Host team members welcome the guests with warm hospitality and light refreshments in a living room-like setting. Team members talk with them, listen to them and offer prayers and guidance to those who desire it. Some guests fill out prayer request cards that are shared among team members, and Bibles are available for those who want them. Information about the church and an invitation to worship are extended to the guests as well.

A support group for those who are HIV+ meets weekly at the church for mutual care, prayer and study to help manage the challenges of living with HIV.  For more information about time and place of this confidential weekly meeting, contact Rev. Beth McLaughlin at bmclaughlin@fumcpeoria.org

A HIV/Family Support Group also meets, additional information is available here.

Your support can be offered through prayer, donated pantry items and becoming a pantry volunteer.

Neutral Ground hours:Tuesday from 1 - 4 p.m.

Items needed on a regular basis:

Contacts:
Pam Cochran at 673-3641
Rev. Steve Pichaske at 673-3641 ext 118