Awakening to the Need

1. Awakening to the Need Awakening to the needs of others as well as our need to serve. Fairfield County This version will automatically go through the slides without any clicking.

2. Matthew 25: 35-36 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me . . .” In this spirit, the following are some ways that you can use your time and talents to help others.

3. Jesus said, “For I was hungry . . .” Help out at your local food pantry: There are lots of things to do: accept donations, stock shelves, help people make food selections, and much more. Food pantries are always looking for more help.

4. “. . . and you gave me something to eat” Food Pantries in Fairfield County: Lutheran Social Services Food Pantry ~~ Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Food Pantry ~~ Salvation Army ~~ St. Vincent DePaul ~~ Maywood Community Outreach ~~ Lancaster Vineyard ~~ Mills Memorial United Methodist Church ~~ Victory Center ~~ Baltimore Food Pantry ~~ Bremen Food Pantry ~~ Outreach Mission Food Pantry (Pleasantville) ~~ Seton Parish ~~ PCMA Food Pantry (Pickerington) ~~ Canal Winchester Food Pantry ~~ Amanda Presbyterian

5. “For I was hungry . . .” Volunteer to pick up food, donate food, prepare meals, or serve meals. The efforts will warm your heart as well as fill stomachs. The number of people needing your help has increased by more than 100% over the last 3 years.

6. “…and you gave me something to eat.” First United Methodist serves lunches (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday), Maple Street Methodist serves lunch (Wednesday), and Foundation Dinners serves lunch and dinner seven days a week. They are always looking for volunteers.

7. “For I was hungry . . .” Get involved with a community garden. Grow food for your own family, for the food pantries, or both! You can get help from community gardeners and the work is about 2 hours per week.

8. “. . . and you gave me something to eat.” Think about creating a small garden near local food pantries in your area and team up friends and neighbors to support the needy.

9. “For I was hungry . . .” Meals on Wheels is a program known for delivering prepared meals to the homes of the elderly.

10. “. . . and you gave me something to eat.” By volunteering at Meals on Wheels, you could: pickup food donations, prepare food, or deliver meals with a smile.

11. “I needed clothes . . .” Many, many children, teens, adults, and seniors need winter coats, hats, mittens, and scarves.

12. “. . . and you clothed me.” Local clothing pantries include: Salvation Army ~~ St. Peter’s Lutheran Church ~~ St. Vincent DePaul Society ~~ Community Action ~~ Maywood Mission

13. “I needed clothes . . .” Knitting, quilting, and sewing groups can be formed at your church to make use of your skills for blankets, shawls, scarves, mittens, and hats.

14. “. . . and you clothed me.” Pam George is a contact person at First United Methodist Church of Lancaster for their “Knitting for a Better World” program.

15. “I was a stranger . . .” Homeless shelters often need volunteers for supervision of individuals and families overnight. Foundation Shelters in Lancaster, Lutheran Social Services can provide housing, and the Lighthouse offers shelter for battered women. They are always looking for help.

16. “. . . and you invited me in.” Other ways include: Visiting homeless camps with clothing and encouragement, helping them find shelters and alternative housing, bringing meals to those too far from soup kitchens.

17. “I needed shelter . . .” Other ways to help with shelter needs: Habitat for Humanity is a well-known group. Also, Faith in Action and “Handy Helpers” from Sugar Grove United Methodist Church (a men’s group that build wheelchair ramps and such). Upgrading houses to be more “green” Building new houses Repairing and insulating houses

18. More ways to help others: Advocates for Children Benefit Banks Benefit Banks help people to understand and obtain the benefits they qualify for. Any church can become a Benefit Bank site like: Christ United Methodist Church in Baltimore, or you can volunteer at places like: Community Action Agency, Lutheran Social Services, or the Metro Housing Authority. Child Advocacy Center - - CAC represents children in court disputes or visitation-related problems. Volunteer Guardianship Program - - VGP helps to ensure that older adults have an enriched quality of life through assistance with personal decision making.  VGP is part of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) Volunteer Guardianship Program

19. Other ways to help others: You could volunteer for after school tutoring at Thurston United Methodist Church, West After School Center in Lancaster, Fairfield Christian (North Campus) outside of Pickerington or Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Any church can become a financial counseling site through the Governor’s “Call to Action” program. Or, organize spiritual support and guidance groups through your church.

20. School supplies and clothing are more expensive every year. These are seasonal (short-term) projects that could use your help as well.

21. Local Back-to-School programs include: Charity Newsies, Salvation Army, Fairfield Metro Authority, and Victory Hill Church.

22. How are you able to serve others? For more information on any of these services in Fairfield County, contact: Fairfield County 211 (Formerly known as Information and Referral) or contact: TheRev. Beth Weisbrod at United Methodist Community Ministries 1-877-228-0521. (Handouts with this presentation include a large listing of services & phone numbers.)