GIVERS
Pastor Chris Jones
filling THE GAP Programs at Ship Outreach provide a variety of support by CATHERINE CURRIN photography by TYLER CUNNINGHAM
“W
e’re trying to fill the gaps,” says Pastor Chris Jones, founder of Ship Community Outreach. Jones founded Ship of Zion Church in 2001, and after realizing the needs of his church, he founded Ship Community Outreach in 2010. Jones started small: “We assessed the needs of the community by observing the people. I remember giving out socks and a few hot dogs to the men hanging around Bragg Street.”
The Ship, as he calls it, now has numerous programs in South Raleigh, serving more than 3,000 people monthly. One of its programs is the Galley Grocery. It’s in a low-income neighborhood that’s one of the many food deserts across Raleigh. Galley Grocery is a full-service market, complete with meat, produce, snacks, and more. EBT and SNAP benefits are accepted, and you can also use a voucher directly from The Ship, distributed through other area nonprofits. “We wanted a place of dignity where people could buy more things
with their food stamps,” says Jones. “They are shopping for food instead of just receiving a box of free food.” The store also has Wi-Fi available. Jones says, “many people take Wi-Fi for granted, but a lot of people in this neighborhood can’t afford it.” Adjacent to Galley Grocery is Ship Yard, a gym and workout area. Jones created it after seeing a need for a free place to encourage fitness, particularly for neighbors reentering society after incarceration. “I was going to prisons and seeing how people were taking The Art & Soul of Raleigh | 35
