We have been participating in “Kits4Kids” for a few years.  It is a wonderful program that encourages us to give to our local communities. We found that we had a healthy interest from our ecclesial members in this backpack endeavour. This program allows for participation in many different ways such as donating funds, helping buy the items needed, to assembling the backpacks. Basically everyone can participate in one way or another. It is also a great reminder that there are plenty of needs in our own communities and this is one small way we can help.

We enjoyed getting together for fellowship as a group to assemble the backpacks too especially as it is the end of summer and a few of us have been away and not seen each other for a while.

The place we donate to “The Hub” has started an annual back to school event where families from the area come to see the programs they offer for support. They gave away 800 backpacks at this event.  “The Hub” in Rexdale (Toronto) where we delivered the backpacks was very grateful for our donations. They are a non profit company and have set up in an old school where other agencies and services are offered to this large community. They receive grants from the province but still need support from local companies to deliver all that they do.  At this site they help with food, housing, parental advice and children’s programs. They also support other satellite offices within the community- daycares, women’s centres, food and clothing donation centres, shelters for youth, etc.

We have started to forge a relationship with a few people connected to a few of these satellite areas. We are a small ecclesia but the more we become visible to helping in the community the more we can plant little seeds for growth.

Last year we managed to get donations from some of the companies we work for as well as our members. Things like paper, pencil cases, usb keys etc. This also lets our light shine about what we believe, encouraging more discussions in workplace settings about who we are.

All in all we enjoy seeing new ideas that work from WCF getting our involvement out in the community.