Support That Matters
Since 1972, St. Matthews Area Ministries (St. MAM) has served the community through a range of programs addressing basic needs — from utility assistance to food insecurity. Three churches, now grown to 10, came together to meet the basic needs of their neighbors.
“St. Matthews Area Ministries came to fruition when the churches were overwhelmed with general basic-needs requests. It escalated when the tornadoes hit this area in 1974, and as you can imagine, programs have come and gone over the past five decades because the needs are always changing,” says Executive Director Julie Abbott.
Abbott says she believes most people have at least somewhere and somehow heard about the food pantry. In 2025, more than 8,500 volunteer hours resulted in the distribution of 300,387 pounds of food over the year.
Backed by 10 dedicated partner congregations — Beargrass Christian, Crossroads Christian Church, Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Matthews Baptist Church, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, St. Matthews United Methodist Church and Sojourn Community Church East Campus — the mission is powered by a committed community of volunteers and supporters who give generously of their time and resources.
New this year, St. MAM has created a partnership program with local businesses and organizations. These inaugural partners include Independence Bank, Ken Combs Running Store, St. Matthews Baseball and Tin Roof, which collect tangible and financial donations and support the ministry by hosting events and sponsoring fundraisers.
While St. MAM continues to seek additional local partners, its impact extends far beyond the food pantry. St. MAM does so much more.
Last year, the emergency financial assistance program helped 215 families maintain electricity in their homes, 45 families maintain access to clean water, and 120 families remain sheltered and safe in the Louisville area.
St. MAM also provides essentials for infants and children. Through this program, it provided support for 292 families with diapers, formula, wipes, shampoo and other infant care items. In late summer, volunteers packed school supplies for 69 families and helped make Christmas magical for 103 children over the holidays.
“We have a village of volunteers. More than 100 volunteers support our vision and needs. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do,” Abbott says.
As the needs continue to grow, the need for support and funding continues to increase, too.
“Our biggest challenge is to keep these basic needs before the churches and the younger generation. During the pandemic, we received federal funding, but those resources dried up. We’re trying to get more creative from the fundraising perspective because things can get extremely hard in the last six months of the year when funding streams are exhausted,” Abbott says.
St. MAM is hopeful that its upcoming fundraising events will welcome all ages and help educate others on the many programs it supports.
The ministry will host its annual Golf Classic on June 8, with several new activities.
For starters, the location is new. The 12th annual Golf Classic will be held at Woodhaven Country Club.
“We have been told we host the best golf scramble,” Abbott says. “There are complimentary on-course beverages, dinner and drinks, a silent auction, and an awards reception. We’re starting it a little later this year, too, with a shotgun start at 2:30 p.m.”
What was once an August event has shifted to June as well.
“This year, we’ve moved it to June 8, with festivities beginning at 1 p.m., as the recent August events had occurred in extreme heat. Our thought was perhaps if we waited until school was out, we might have some teens and college students interested too; they could complete a foursome with a parent, colleague or friend,” Abbott says. “We’ve also built out a new nine-hole shootout. One player is guaranteed to walk away with a $1,000 prize, and a hole-in-one on the final shootout could win $1 million.”
At 1 p.m., golfers can register, and the range and green will open. At 1:30 p.m., ticket holders can participate in a 50/50 contest for $20 cash, with the winner bringing home half of the total raised at the event, and the shotgun start is at 2:30 p.m.
By 6:45 p.m., prizes will be awarded to Top Men’s/Mixed Team, Top Women’s Team, Last Place Team, 9-Hole Shootout Winner, and additional prizes for Men’s Longest Drive, Women’s Longest Drive, Longest Putt and Closest to the Line.
Also new this year, and with the mission to welcome all ages and the entire family, is a pool party at Woodhaven.
While golfers are enjoying camaraderie and time out on the green, a pool party will kick off at 3 p.m. with complimentary mocktails, pizza, ice cream and a kid zone full of activities for children.
“Not everyone is a golfer,” Abbott says. “This is a separate registration but a great way to bring the community and families together, and both events will raise critical dollars that allow us to continue serving our neighbors.”
The silent auction on the Golf Classic side and the pool party will both close at 8 p.m.
“Everyone is invited to either event, including our long-time supporters, those who are brand new and may be unfamiliar with the organization, and others in the community. It’s a chance to learn more about what we do in a relaxed, summer environment,” Abbott says. “This work is really fulfilling. We wish there wasn’t a need for our services, but I’m incredibly thankful that we’re here to meet it.”
Visit St. MAM online at stmam.com/golf-2/ to register or donate toward the mission.
