STORIES

We’re happy to share the following stories and experiences, as written by individuals and ecclesias who have participated in outreach initiatives.

Our hope is that by sharing these stories, others will be encouraged and inspired to do the same whenever the opportunity arises (Galatians 6:10).

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Bags of Love
January 2024
Nashua Ecclesia
Nashua Department of Public HealthNashua, NH
There was a lot of love delivered last month –and just in time. The balmy weather was on its way out, and the next day was bringing very cold temperatures with significant winds. Shelters were filled sending our unhoused Nashua, NH neighbors back under the bridges to do the best they could. But this time …
Bags of Love
January 2024
Saanich Peninsula Ecclesia
Sandy Merriman HouseVictoria, BC
We delivered the sleeping bags to Sandy Merriman House, Women’s Shelter, Victoria BC. Just the day before it snowed. As the shelter has limited capacity women are turned away when there is no room at the shelter. The staff are delighted to have the sleeping bags to hand in these difficult circumstances. The staff member …
Kits4Kids
August 2023
Springfield Ecclesia
Springfield, Vermont
Our ecclesia members helped purchase items for the backpacks. Our youth group assembled them. We brought them to our local family center. They will pass them on to school teachers who will distribute them to children in need. Great project! Thank you!
Kits4Kids
August 2023
Honesdale Ecclesia
Honesdale, PA
The Honesdale Ecclesia just finished packing up the backpacks for the Kits for Kids program. We met in our basement at the hall and filled the backpacks with school supplies and delivered them to our County Children and Youth Services to distribute to kids in the Foster Care system. Brian Goodman, Honesdale Ecclesia
Food4Friends
August 2023
Jane Hewitson
Elkridge Food Pantry and GardenBaltimore, MD
I took my two Sunday School students, Simon and Suzy, to Walmart where they helped me select food items from the list provided by a food bank located near our ecclesia hall.  Once we had purchased the items using the grant from Garden Outreach, we drove over to the food bank and dropped them off. …
Food4Friends
July 2023
Saanich Ecclesia
Saanich Peninsula Lions FoodbankSaanich, BC
My mum and I went and dropped off the donation mid-June, it was great! I chose to donate to the Saanich Peninsula Lions foodbank, which is located in the town we live in. I gave them a call in advance to see what their most needed items were, and they asked for anything that helps …
Boxes of Love
June 2023
Barrie Family Shelter
Women & Children's Shelter of BarrieBarrie, ON
Donation made to the Barrie Family Shelter. Boxes of Love is such an outstanding offer of kindness from the WCF & The Garden. Also, the staff who manage the various grant programs are incredibly helpful in particular Gillian Kenzie and Jason Grant. God bless. Following is a poem that was given to the shelter: In …
Food4Friends
June 2023
Shelburne Ecclesia
Shepherd's Cupboard Food BankShelburne, ON
Thank you again for offering this opportunity to help the poor & hungry in our community. My husband, Jim Davin, and I each received a US cheque in the amount of $100 US, for which we each received $130 CAN. We were not able to gather the young people at this time, so we completed the …
Grow-2-Give
May 2023
Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie
Women & Children's Shelter of BarrieBarrie, ON
Thanks so much for coming in today with such a wonderful donation! We can’t thank you enough and I know how big of an impact that makes on our residents here at the shelter. So thank you for helping us remind our women they are not alone. On most nights, we have over 30 women …
BagsofLove
April 2023
Verdugo Hills Ecclesia
LA Family HousingVerdugo Hills, CA
The Verdugo Hills Ecclesia in Southern California has been active donors for decades to a local nonprofit called LA Housing. Their mission is to end homelessness in the lives of children and adults across Los Angeles. Our ecclesia has helped in donating such things as the makings for Thanksgiving meals, gift cards, useful household and …