Many children rely on school breakfast and lunch as their only meals of the day. When school is out for the summer, we can help fill the void.

Job: Provide food for children in need. Our goal is to give one take home bag each week for 110 food insecure children through their local churches for eight weeks in June, July, and August for a total of 880 bags.

Commitment: Purchase any of the following and bring them to worship on Sundays, June 18 & 25. Donations can also be dropped off at the church office during the week between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (noon on Fridays):

• Tuna, individual serving foil packages (no cans)
• Pop Tarts, individually wrapped
• Cereal, individual serving packages
• Fruit Roll Ups, individually wrapped OR
• GoGo Applesauce

Skills Needed: Joy in giving.

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Mother Theresa

The horses have returned to their summer home next door at Gilfillen Farm.

I invite you to explore how you might volunteer for this great program. Training is provided.

Horses with Hope programs provide equine assisted activities that will enhance the physical, mental, social, and emotional needs of individuals with and without special needs. They are a faith-based organization that provides a memorable experience to physically disabled, emotionally challenged, or behaviorally at-risk youth and adults, through physical, social, and emotional interaction with horses, volunteers, and staff at a professionally staffed equestrian center.

Read more here.

For more information, or to volunteer, contact Jan Baumann at baumann@westminster-church.org.

It’s hard to believe that there are homeless children in Upper St. Clair and in Bethel Park, but there are.

The Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (ECYEH) is a national program. In Pennsylvania every school district must have a homeless liaison staff person in charge of ensuring students experiencing homelessness can enroll and succeed in school.

Many times, children need things not provided for by state funding such as tennis shoes, jeans, a backpack, etc. Westminster is going to partner with the Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park School Districts to provide for these needs.

From time to time, I will receive a specific request from the school liaison that I will pass along to those of you who would like to be a part of this ministry.

Job: Purchase a necessary item or gift card for a homeless child.

Commitment: From time to time, I will email you, with a specific request. You can choose to make that specific purchase or not.

If you would like to be a part of the team of shoppers, please let me know.

Together we can make a difference in the life of a child.

Photo credit: Jesus the Homeless by Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz.

Support Bags for Those Experiencing Homelessness

Have you ever come across a homeless individual in need and not had any way to help?

QuicKits are bags, designed by the youth of Westminster, filled with essential items like deoderant, water, a toothbrush, and more, put together in a reusable bag.

Fully assembled kits are available to you in the Narthex. Take one to keep in your car to hand out when you cross paths with someone in need. We hope to keep the project running so we also ask that you consider replenishing the bin with fully completed kits for others to pass out.

More information on the project and what is included in the bags can be found in our YouTube video below.

QuicKits Update January 25:
• 100 additional QuicKits - Thank you to the volunteers who stayed after worship last Sunday to put together 100 QuicKits to replenish our supply.
• 400 QuicKits already distributed - To date you have distributed 400 QuicKits in our community.
• Share your experience - If you have given a QuicKits to someone in need, please tell me about your experience, one sentence or more. I would like to capture and share our QuicKit stories with one another.
• What are they? QuicKits are reusable, drawstring, waterproof bags filled with personal hygiene items, socks, hand warmers (this time of year), and a granola bar. When you encounter someone experiencing homelessness or in need as you navigate your day, a QuicKit can be a way to respond to a request for help. The next time you are at church, you can grab a couple of bags to keep in your car when the opportunity presents itself to reach out.