Our Mission The Hope Center is a union area faith communities, organizations, and other charitable partners committed to filling the essential needs of Greater Petersburg’s financially distressed citizens. Downtown Churches United, Inc is committed to the financial assistance and feeding of Petersburg's most marginal citizens. We operate a Food Pantry that serves over 7000 households per year, feeds noontime lunch to over 20,000 individuals each year, and utilities assistance to just under 300 households a year.