As you may already know, we’ve been reaching out to local charities and non-profits to find out if there’s ways that we as a church could be helpful to them during this outbreak. We’ve heard from a number of organizations; while they’re grateful for the support and that we contacted them, they’re either not allowing any volunteers on-site, or have enough volunteers for the time-being, etc. However, a couple of opportunities have been presented that could use almost immediate response:
- Care For Real: The mission of this charity (just north of Foster on Sheridan) is to ‘provide food, clothing and support to those in need in our community’ (careforreal.org). They have shifts available for us to serve tomorrow (Friday, May 8) and Saturday from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. The available tasks during these shifts are: registration, greeters, stocking, prepacking bags of food and other preparations related to their food distribution program. They ask that volunteers be available for the entire shift that they sign up for. We’ll have other opportunities to partner with CFR in upcoming weeks.
- Alderman Vasquez’ 40th ward office has posted a number of opportunities to get involved. These include sewing face masks, making phone “wellness-checks” to isolated individuals in the community, delivering food and essential supplies to home bound elderly, and helping with communications and research. If you are in the 40th ward (or even close by) this is a great opportunity to serve your community and to be Christ to those who are struggling. To volunteer, go to www.40thward.org. Then click on the red “covid-19 information center” button on the home page. Then click on the “sign up to volunteer” link. The alderman’s office has weekly volunteer training and information phone meetings Thursday nights from 6 to 7 pm.
- Miscellaneous ways to serve our congregation / neighbors involving: delivering groceries, yard-work, assistance with moving, making “wellness-calls”, etc. These would generally be one-off opportunities and organized as they’re needed.
- Don’t forget these other outreach opportunities too: Breakthrough Urban Ministries: breakthrough.org, senior citizens at the Schneider building: seniorcare@firstfree.com; resettled refugees with World Relief: refugeecare@firstfree.com.
If you feel led to serve in any of these ways, please contact us at info@firstfree.com. We will add you to a list of those to be contacted as these opportunities present themselves, depending on how you may be interested in serving. Thank you to those that have already volunteered!