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Doers Doing monthly update: November

Doers Doing in the Community 

Starting this month, we’ll be providing an update at the beginning of each month outlining all the chances you’ll have to be a doer with St. James’s’ Service Ministries three on-going partners — CARITAS, REAL LIFE and Peter Paul.
It’s all part of the restructuring our Service Ministries Committee has undergone to simplify our volunteer efforts. Moving forward, there will be a monthly parish-wide volunteer opportunity that focuses on one of our three partners. There will also be everyday volunteer opportunities with all three of our partners–and occasionally an extra opportunity with another partner. This month, for instance, there’s a chance to help our friends at Feed More too. We hope that by simplifying how we organize our volunteer efforts that more of you will find it easier to organize your volunteer efforts.
November Parish-wide Doer Opportunity for CARITAS
This month, our parish-wide opportunity will be with CARITAS. CARITAS “helps our most vulnerable neighbors break the cycles of homelessness and addiction to reclaim their dignity.” (CARITAS Mission). On Nov. 20th, we’ll gather in the Michaux House basement to pack hygiene bags for residents at CARITAS. We will be capping the number of registrations at 10, but an entire family or individual can sign up under one registration. Children are welcome! Signup here before it’s too late. For more information, contact Carrie Acey ([email protected]) To learn more about CARITAS, go to caritasva.org
Thanksgiving Feed More Food Offering
Our traditional Thanksgiving Food Offering is returning this year. You can pick up your grocery bag in the Narthex for the next 2 Sundays (Nov. 7th and Nov. 14th) and return the bags to the Narthex either the Sunday before Thanksgiving (preferred) or at the Thanksgiving service. You may also use your own grocery bag. For more information, contact Blake Singer ([email protected]).
Fill the bags with FEED MORE’s most needed items listed here:
  • Peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
  • Lean canned protein (tuna, salmon, or chicken in water)
  • Canned vegetables (low sodium or no salt added)
  • Canned fruits (in its own juice or water)
  • Tomato products (spaghetti sauce or diced tomatoes)
  • Beans (canned or dry)
  • Whole grain cereal (hot or cold)
  • Whole grains (pasta, brown rice, quinoa)
  • Healthy snacks (fruit cups, raisins, granola bars)
You can print out the most needed items list and take it with you when you go shopping: FEED MORE’s most needed items To learn more about FEED MORE, go to feedmore.org
Everyday Doer Opportunities at REAL LIFE
Here are ways you can be a Doer everyday at REAL LIFE:
  • Create Welcome Home Kits for new residents of REAL LIFE houses (shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, brush/comb, hand sanitizer, laundry detergent, notebook, pens, note of encouragement)
  • Stock the kitchen (provide groceries for new residents of REAL LIFE houses)
  • Adopting one of the 11 REAL LIFE houses (deliver a homemade meal once a month, send birthday cards and treats for residents)
  • Mentoring REAL LIFE program participants
  • Planting raised bed garden at a REAL LIFE house (on hold until Spring)
To learn more about REAL LIFE, go to reallifeprogram.org
If you’re interested in volunteering with REAL LIFE, contact Yvonne Gibney ([email protected]) or Judy Philpott ([email protected]).
Everyday Doer Opportunities at Peter Paul
There are no immediate opportunities due to COVID; HOWEVER, there is a list of everyday items that they always need help replenishing.
Contact Peter Paul for a list of needed items and volunteer opportunities. Here’s who to contact: Paulette Pullen ([email protected]) or
John Raigins ([email protected]) To learn more about Peter Paul, go to peterpaulrva.org
If you’re interested in any other form of Service Ministries, contact Blake Singer ([email protected]).
To be clear, we’re still engaging with our ongoing mission partners (through the Mission Committee) and financially supporting several partner agencies (through our Financial Outreach Committee).
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