During the months of October, November, and December, the Outreach Ministry provides opportunities for our congregation and community to participate in holiday-focused giving.
Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox Ministry in October has been very successful, having collected 221 shoeboxes to date. You can still drop off packed shoeboxes during this final week of October. November 17-24, our church will be a collection site for other churches and community groups during Samaritan's Purse’s National Collection Week. If you would like to help “man the station”, greeting community members, collecting their boxes, praying with them, and packing cartons, please let me know. Hours of service are Monday-Thursday 1:00-3:00, Friday & Saturday 9:00-11:00, and Sunday 1:00-3:00. On December 9th, five of us are going to the processing center in Fullerton to help process shoeboxes, prepping them for shipment overseas and including the Greatest Gift Gospel booklets.
Thanksgiving Dinner Bags are being distributed now, and this is an event that many families in our community appreciate. Three schools in Poway, New Day Urban Ministries, STEP for military families, Solutions for Change, and Salvation Army have all requested our dinner bags. This year, we will be adding additional meal items to the bags from our November grocery food drive. That allows us to provide more than a Thanksgiving meal to families in need. One of our Life Groups will be helping to serve over 200 meals to the clients of San Diego Rescue Mission on November 15. This is another way that our church is demonstrating the love of Christ to those living on the margins.
Angel Tree in December will once again provide toys, diapers, gift cards, and books to enlisted military personnel serving in San Diego County. Each year, Angel Tree items are collected during the first 2 weeks of December and then given to an organization that invites enlisted families to a free shopping event to select toys and other items for their children.
Although we may never see the looks of appreciation individuals feel or express when receiving one of our shoeboxes, dinner bags, or Christmas gifts, know that you have helped make Jesus smile through your generosity. Thank you for helping the Outreach Ministry serve so many in our local communities. Happy Holidays to ALL!
Serving HIM Together, Elaine Johnson (elaine@rbcommunity.org)