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First Presbyterian Church of Philipstown
 Midnight Run
Our monthly Midnight Run mission trips take food and critical supplies directly to people experiencing homelessness in New York City. ​The number of homeless people in New York City's shelter system has skyrocketed over the past year- driven by the recent arrival of large numbers of migrants, according to a report by Mayor Eric Adam's office.

Midnight Run is a nonprofit dedicated to finding common ground between the housed and the homeless. Based in Dobbs Ferry, NY, the Midnight Run coordinates over 1,000 relief missions each year to provide homeless folks with supplies they need for survival. This wonderful organization was founded by the late Rev. Joe Gilmore, an inspiration and dear friend to our congregation, whom we lost in 2020 during the pandemic.

Our church partners with Midnight Run. 

Before each Midnight Run, we work with faith communities, neighbors, schools, scout troops and community groups to collect and distribute items that will meet the needs of folks experiencing homelessness. A crew of volunteers then travels by night in a caravan of vehicles to New York City, to distribute food and critical supplies to homeless folks who await their arrival at designated locations. 

We believe that the regularity of our Runs is an important part of serving the homeless. We get to know the people on the street, and they get to know us, names are exchanged, specific needs become known. The homeless become a little less invisible for a night.

Midnight Runs are inspirational. Our late-night relief efforts create beautiful opportunities for conversation, sharing, trust, and understanding. This human exchange is the heart and soul of the Midnight Run mission. 

You can support our Midnight Run mission! Here's how:

Donate goods to meet their needs.
 Before each Midnight Run, we collect donated goods to address specific needs for that particular month or season. Sometimes we need food supplies for creating lots of sack lunches; other times, we need lightly-used or new backpacks, hats, gloves, or sleeping bags. To find out what we need for our next Midnight Run, check our Facebook page where we post digital sign-up sheets, or email Ron Sopyla here. 

Financial support. We are always grateful for Midnight Run donations from our congregation and community. To donate online, scroll down and click on the gold "Donate" button. To donate by check, make it payable to "First Presbyterian Church of Philipstown" and mail it to 10 Academy St., Cold Spring, NY, 10516, with "Midnight Run" noted on the memo line. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Thank you!

Volunteer. The Midnight Run offers volunteer opportunities for individuals and families -- from prep activities like making sack lunches to driving or riding down to NYC to help distribute food and supplies. The Midnight Run can be a terrific community service opportunity for students/youth groups. Space is limited, and during COVID-19 there are special safety measures in place, so please email Ron Sopyla here to register in advance for the next Midnight Run.

For general information about our Midnight Run Mission, contact our church office at [email protected] or (845) 265-3220. To learn more about the mission, history, and general activities of the nonprofit organization Midnight Run, please visit www.midnightrun.org. Thank you!

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To donate to our Midnight Run mission, click the gold "Donate" button. If you click: "Add special instructions to the seller," you can type in "Midnight Run." Thank you!
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Rev. Joe Gilmore
This page is dedicated in loving memory to two inspirational people: the Rev. Joe Gilmore and Norman Brown. Joe's work in an NYC soup kitchen led him to explore the midnight streets of Manhattan to help the homeless poor. Loading his VW Beetle with sandwiches, clothing, and blankets, he distributed supplies two nights a week. Other churches offered help, and this led Joe to found the Midnight Run. Norm led many of our Midnight Run trips, and volunteered countless ours to other mission efforts. Joe and Norm will be forever loved and missed by our congregation.
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Norman Brown
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  • Home
  • About FPCP
    • Our Interim Pastor
    • Our Staff & Volunteers
    • Our Green Team
    • Our Historic Congregation
  • Worship
    • JOIN US IN CHURCH
    • JOIN US ON-LINE
  • Food Pantry & Outreach
    • Food Pantry
    • PresbyBuild: Building Hope
    • Midnight Run
    • PAPA Meals
    • INTERFAITH PRISON PARTNERSHIP
    • Heifer International
    • Nursery School Scholarships
  • Education
    • Adult Education
    • Youth Education
    • Teen Programs
  • Music & Arts
  • News & Info
    • Read Our News!