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).
Bags of Love
February 2021
Langlois Ecclesia
Devereaux CenterCoos Bay, Oregon
We became aware of the Devereax Center for the homeless quite a few years ago. We have supported them over the years with clothing and food donations. So when the bags of love came up we automatically thought of them. Inside the top of each sleeping bag we included a New Testament in the new …
Knit2Gether
February 2021
Pittman Family
JJ BagsNorfolk, Virginia
My daughter and I have been knitting items – hats and Easter bunnies – to donate to children in foster care. To find somewhere to drop off the items locally, I searched Facebook for groups to donate to and one called JJ Bags came up. The objective of JJ Bags matched what we were looking …
Bags of Love
February 2021
Los Angeles Ecclesia
The Salvation Army, Whittier CorpsWhittier, California
Dear WCF and the Garden Outreach Project, Greetings from Southern California! Thank you for your compassionate efforts. I received the sleeping bags last week, it took me a few days to get in contact with a shelter in my area. Originally I wanted to give them to a woman’s and children’s crisis center, but I …
Bags of Love
February 2021
Richmond Christadelphian Chapel
People affected by poverty and homelessnessRichmond, Virginia
February 8, 2021 Dear Garden Outreach, On Saturday, December 30th 2021, the Richmond Christadelphian Chapel’s outreach committee was able to organize and facilitate a day to put together care packs with other members of the chapel while following COVID-19 guidelines. Before December 30th the Chapel’s outreach committee reached out to members of chapel and listed …
Bags of Love
January 2021
Saanich Peninsula Ecclesia
Sandy Merriman HouseVictoria, British Columbia
My brother contacted me to let me know that someone we both care about very much was in the Sandy Merriman Shelter for homeless women in Victoria BC. By the time we got a gift to bring the individual of concern, she had already moved on, deciding not to accept the shelter and rehabilitation program …
Knit2Gether
January 2021
How to make blankets, hats and mittens if you can’t knit or crochet
People affected by povertyMelinda Flatley, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
I love your Knit2Gether idea for The Garden…to start now and stockpile knitted items for distribution to those in need. The thought occurs that many people do not know how to knit (or crochet), but there are still ways for them to contribute. I love the idea of turning thrift store sweaters into hats and …
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 …