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).

View older stories

Bags of Love
January 2021
Vortriede Family
Looking Glass Community Services' Rural ProgramCottage Grove, Oregon
My husband Eric and I live 150 miles away from our ecclesia in the Portland area. We were very happy that WCF enabled us to deliver 20 sleeping bags to an organization in our local community of Cottage Grove, Oregon. We selected Looking Glass Community Services’ Rural Program. This wonderful organization provides a safe drop-in …
Bags of Love
January 2021
Treasure Coast Ecclesia
Adopt-a-FamilyPalm Beach County, Florida
The Treasure Coast FL ecclesia assembled 24 care packs in January and delivered them to Adopt-a-Family shelter on January 23. Most all of the contents were purchased from dollartree.com online. The bags themselves were sewn by ecclesial members from fabric left over from previous sewing projects. Each bag came with handles. The bags contained a …
Knit2Gether
January 2021
I can’t knit very well, but there’s a solution!
HomePlate Youth ServicesJoiner Family, Beaverton, Oregon
Getting Started When lockdown started back in March 2020, life slowed down for me. I home educate my two children (11 & 13) and usually we were out of the house every day attending classes at the Village Home Education Center, Beaverton, Oregon. I also taught some High School writing classes there, and worked as …
Bags of Love
January 2021
Toronto North Ecclesia
Rexdale Community HubToronto, Ontario
A little bit about your chosen charity and its work We donated the 20 sleeping bags to the Rexdale Community Hub. This is the closest charity to our ecclesia and they assist many youth affected by homelessness, who are also without shelter. The Manager said the bags would be heavily used. The impact on you …
Bags of Love
January 2021
Finger Lakes Ecclesia
Second Wind CottagesNew Field, New York
This was going to be a group effort but restrictions due to Covid-19 made it impossible. We chose Second Wind Cottages out of Newfield, NY. It is an 18 cottage community that provides resources to help men affected by homelessness to becoming independent and owning their own place. Care packages were put together which included: …
Bags of Love
January 2021
St Paul Ecclesia
Stepping Stone Emergency HousingAnoka, Minnesota
The St. Paul ecclesia delivered 20 sleeping bags to the local Stepping Stone homeless shelter. They were extremely grateful to receive this donation and they plan to hand these out to individuals who are on their waiting list. The pandemic has had a huge impact on homeless shelters. They have 66 beds at this shelter …
BagsofLove
January 2021
Portland Ecclesia
Looking Glass Community Services’ Rural ProgramCottage Grove, OR
My husband Eric and I live 150 miles away from our ecclesia in the Portland area. We were very happy that WCF enabled us to deliver 20 sleeping bags to an organization in our local community of Cottage Grove, Oregon. We selected Looking Glass Community Services’ Rural Program. This wonderful organization provides a safe drop-in …
Bags of Love
January 2021
Keene Family
Community Friends in MotionKingston, Ontario
Q:Who you are (ecclesia / group)? A: Justin & Abi Keene, Mike & Sharon Keene, Kingston, Ontario Ecclesia Q: Which charity was the recipient of your donation? A: Community Friends in Motion Q: What does your charity do? A: “We are a group of friends in Kingston Ontario who volunteer to serve our community by …
Bags of Love
January 2021
Ann Arbor Ecclesia
The Delonis CenterAnn Arbor, Michigan
I really appreciate this effort that The Garden has put together and look forward to participating more in the future. I had ordered the sleeping bags and had them sent directly to the homeless shelter. The Delonis Center is a homeless shelter in Ann Arbor, Michigan which my ecclesia (Ann Arbor) and I have been …
Grants
January 2021
Alan & Ruthanne Giordano
Morristown Medical CenterMorristown, New Jersey
Here are the photos from dropping food off for the doctors, nurses, and staff who cared for Josie Giordano during her last three weeks, at Morristown Medical Center. The food went to the hospital unit where Josie was first admitted (5th floor), and also at the Hospice Unit (3rd floor). Left to right in the …