Community MinistryOur Story
In 1879, the Seventh-day Adventist Church officially named the “Dorcas Society” as its community outreach program. It is named after Dorcus a believer with a passion to serve others. Her story is found in Acts 9:32, 36, 39 :
“32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda….
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor…. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, ‘Please come at once!’
39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
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The Dorcas Society consisted of groups of women who met frequently to provide clothes, food for families in the church or the immediate community who had temporary needs. Later, several churches wanted to involve men and started the idea of a co-ed Good Samaritan Society. By 1953, the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church broadened the concept of services to address an increasingly urbanized society.
Meet Our Team
Stay InformedWhat We SupportFood and Clothing Closet
The food and clothing closet provides weekly food and clothing distribution to at risk residents in the Orangevale community. If outside the area – please dial 211 or check online for other resources at: www.211sacramento.org
Time and Location
Community Services is open every Tuesday from 9AM – Noon
or until we run out of food. We operate via a drive-thru style, please line up along Pecan to Pershing and around the corner next to the church. Please be courteous as we share street parking with Pershing Elementary school.