|
Living
our faith through service
to the hungry
Bag Lunch Program
When the Bag Lunch Program was started by the Old Presbyterian Meeting House
in 1983, it provided 15 lunches per day. Since then several churches
have joined the program to provide lunches for the needy in downtown Alexandria.
Now, the program serves 100 to 125 lunches daily from Hopkins House in Alexandria.
And, Fairlington and other churches provide 30 lunches a day to the Salvation Army at the corner of Mt. Vernon and Bellefonte Avenues.
Churches rotate every week, so that Fairlington's turn comes up once every four weeks, and we split our week with Washington Street
United Methodist Church.
Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are needed to provide sandwiches, fruit and cookies, and to pack and deliver lunches to the Salvation Army anytime between 9:00 and 11:30 a.m. on the day they are needed.(2
or 3 days every 4 weeks.)
Coordinators: L. Whibley, or B. Glomb
Bread for the World
Bread for the World is an organization that offers FUMC members an opportunity to "let your voice be heard." This organization seeks to make changes in both our local area and other areas of the world by engaging in a letter-writing campaign. Letters are targeted for political figures, or other appropriate persons who can make a change in an identified need area. The group meets several times a year for a prayer breakfast and discusses plans for a particular letter writing campaign. FUMC members are invited to attend the breakfast and learn how they can serve in this capacity. FUMC supports Bread for the World through an annual contribution from the Missions Commission budget.
Volunteers Needed: People to participate in letter-writing campaigns.
Coordinator: J. Stowe CFC Number: 1472
Gleaning Network
The Gleaning Program provides FUMC members with an opportunity to feed the hungry by harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables that are then transported to a local food bank. This program is tied to the local growing seasons and requires volunteers on an as needed basis depending on what crops are available. The Gleaning Network provides the location and will deliver the product -- we supply the volunteers.
Volunteers Needed: People to pick produce.
Coordinator: M. Shedlock
To contact the Network directly to find out when such an opportunity
will be available, call 1-800-333-4597. You can find out specifics about
when and where you can help in a gleaning effort.
Meals on Wheels
Alexandria's Meals on Wheels program is sponsored by the Alexandria Council of the Church Women United. For the past several years, Fairlington United Methodist Church has participated in the Alexandria Meals on Wheels program. Meals on Wheels is a program in which volunteers deliver two meals (lunch and dinner) prepared by Alexandria Hospital to approximately 100 persons who are unable to prepare these meals for themselves. FUMC shares this responsibility with volunteers from twenty-one churches and two community groups on a rotating basis.
Volunteers Needed: Our participation is on the fourth Monday of every month. On these days, we need 12 to 15 volunteers.
Coordinator: B. Glomb
Saint Andrew Club
The St. Andrew Club is a mission project that raises funds for the Potato Project of the Society of St. Andrew (SOSA), a Virginia Conference mission ministry dedicated to eliminating hunger in America. The Potato project locates eligible produce that is to be discarded; locates soup kitchens, food banks, and other food distribution organizations; and obtains transportation for the produce from grower to user. Transportation cost is about $1,500 per truck load (40,000) pounds) of produce shipped.
When Fairlington was looking for a new long-range mission project in late 1985, Bill Schminkey conceived and was authorized to implement the St. Andrew Club. The Club obtains money pledges from concerned people nationwide, maintains an automated database of pledgers and pledges, and receives and disburses money to the Potato Project. Over 5 million pounds of food have been transported to the hungry.
All money goes directly to the Potato Project; all operating expenses are paid by Fairlington as part of our mission emphasis. Members pledge to give $10 or more twice a year.
Volunteers Needed: St. Andrew Club Pledgers, and volunteers are needed in
February and August to prepare mailings (about 2,500 letters). Occasional help is needed to assist with computer input and posting of pledges and contributions.
Coordinator: K. Masters or Church Office at (703) 671-8557
|
