Help Needed on Other Days

If you loved serving with Bethany Lane and want to do more or your schedule did not allow you to serve on Monday afternoon, there are openings on many of the other days the Center is open. Many of the days are being staffed by smaller churches and groups and they need individuals to come and join them. Here is a part of an email Anne sent out to explain what is needed.


Mondays (2:00 - 6:00)
Drivers are needed for all but the 3rd Monday of the month

Wednesdays (This could change with the changing schedule, right now 4:00-8:00)
Each Wednesday we need an additional driver who can drive the 8 passenger van.
The second and third Wednesdays of the month we need hot food for 50, and additional volunteers.
The fourth Wednesday, we have plenty of food, but could use additional volunteers.

Saturdays (10:00 - 2:00)
We need hot food for 50, plus additional volunteers for the first, second, and third Saturdays of the month.

The Fifth Monday, Wednesday or Saturday.
Every month we have an additional day. Hot food and volunteers are needed for these days


If you want to help, let me know and I will get you in touch with Anne.

Colder Weather Needs

The weather has gotten much colder and as a result, our homeless friends have a new set of needs. Please consider helping out by donating these things

1. A Coleman Sportcat 1500 btu tent heater. That's right, they actually make heaters for tents and several of these were given out last winter. We know these heaters saved lives last year. Here is what they look like:

I found them at amazon.com for $45. I did not see them at Dick's or Sports Authority. If anyone finds a local place, please let us know.

2. Propane tanks - This was a close second to socks. When we did deliveries in the winter, everyone asked if we had any propane tanks. We will need a ton of these this year. They can be bought at Walmart and several other places. They look like this:

3. Socks, work boots, coats, gloves, hats -- All the typical warm weather stuff is needed.

4. Tents, sleeping bags and blankets -- see previous posts for examples of tents and sleeping bags.

As usual, if you get any of these items, just drop them off in the foyer the next time you are at church. If you purchased an item and want the purchase price to be put on your contribution records, make sure I get the receipt with your name and what item you bought.

Food Donations

We are always in need of food for the Homeless Ministry. We collect food for the deliveries we make twice a month, for the food pantry at the Day Center and for our food pantry right here at the church.

Right now, we are communicating the food needs through 3x5 cards that have the different items printed on the cards. Once or twice a month, the youth will hand out these cards at the conclusion of both our services. On days the youth are not handing out these cards, you will find a stack on the table in the foyer. Just look for a sign that looks like this:

When you get one (or more!!) of these cards, simply purchase the item the next time you are at a grocery store, bring it in the next time you are at church and we will do the rest. You will see a place to put the items in the foyer of the church. Just look for signs like this:

Sock, socks, socks, socks!!!

One time while we were delivering food out in the woods, we had a bunch of socks to give away. We asked if they wanted a package of socks, and the reply was something like this - "These are more valuable than gold! Yes, I will take all that you can spare." Another said they would trade the food we were offering for socks.

The big issue is the lack of laundry facilities. When they get too wet or dirty, they have to be thrown away. The need is great. If you purchase socks, get white tube socks like these. Get a lot of them please.

If you feel lead to help in this way, just bring them to church the next time you are here. You can plase them with all the other Homeless Ministry donations in the foyer.

Tents and Sleeping Bags needed

One of the big needs at this time for the Homeless Ministry is tents and sleeping bags. As you can imagine, both of these items see a lot of use and they actually wear out. The cold weather is also right around the corner and the need is great.

Our Homeless Friends have requested tents that are tall enough for an adult to stand upright inside the tent and the sleeping bags be rated for 20 degrees. Here are a few examples to help you if you feel lead to help in this way.

Tents:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8223663
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8223664
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3172286
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2529491

Sleeping bags:
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3030046
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3131037
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5646060

If you purchase a tent, please bring it to church the next time you are here and place it with the rest of the Homeless Ministry donations in the foyer. All donations to this ministry are tax deductable, just bring the item with the receipt and I will have that amount be added to your donation records here at the church.