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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GotYourBack
April 2024
Baltimore
ShelterBaltimore, MD
We assembled backpacks to be donated to a local shelter that serves homeless teens and young adults. Each backpack included assorted personal items such as kleenex, hand sanitizer, chapstick, etc., as well as the items provided by The Garden Outreach, including a Bible and a postcard with a word of encouragement. The woman who accepted …
GotYourBack
March 2024
Los Angeles
FosterLoveLos Angeles, CA
Thank you for your donation of backpacks. Today I delivered to FosterLove an organization in Brea California that supplies new items to children in the foster care program. Today I saw the “store” where boys and girls come to pick out clothing and other items..accompanied by their social worker..to take with them. It was amazing …
Grants
February 2024
Richmond Chapel
Atlantic Outreach GroupRichmond, VA
Here are a couple of photos from my project. I funded it using the grant and additional donations from my ecclesia. In total, we made 40 emergency food bags! Atlantic Outreach Group was very appreciative of our efforts as they were running low on emergency food bags at the time I made my delivery. Thank …
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. …
GotYourBack
August 2023
Cambridge CYC
Group homeCambridge, ON
Thank you for the opportunity to receive backpacks for at-risk youth in our community.  The Cambridge Sr. CYC was able to fill the backpacks with back-to-school essentials graciously donated by our ecclesial members.  Finally, in August 2023 we were able to take them to the group home and deliver them for their use. (picture attached) …
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 …