After taking a holiday break, Loaves & Fishes Sunday is back! Empty grocery bags and "most needed" lists are available in Fellowship Hall (Jan. 31). Please take a bag, purchase a donation for the food pantry and return to the church on February 7. Donations can be left on the main floor, near the elevator.
THANK YOU to all who donated in November & December. We were able to deliver approximately 15 bags of groceries to the pantry- along with reusable grocery bags. And another "thank you " to those who took a tag from the Giving Tree. We were able to help make Christmas wishes come true for many of the pantry's younger clients.
"most needed" list:
Hearty soups/stews or creamed soups
Canned baked beans
Coffee
Tea
Bars of soap
Shampoo/conditioner
Toothpaste & toothbrushes
Status of Refugio Phoenix:
As you know, in April our congregation sent a many-box shipment of gifts (and cash) to support the Refugio Phoenix mission, caring for children aged 3 to 12 detained at the U.S. border without any accompanying adult. This spring and summer your generosity helped over 60 of these children, who were caught in a terrible situation without family or possessions.
Your gifts were critical to these kids, but the base funding for Refugio Phoenix came from the U.S. government. We've been informed that the grant has not been renewed; the reason given was that the influx of unaccompanied minors has slowed, in part because the U.S. has encouraged Mexico to stem the flow.
The mission to help Refugio Phoenix has ended but the needs of refugees and immigrants continue to grow, in our own state and around the world. The Missions Committee is looking for an appropriate way, or ways, we can continue to help. We will keep you informed as we identify new initiatives to help those in need, and as always, we are grateful for your support in these efforts.
