“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Pantry and Garden:
Our Outreach Ministry is blessed in so many ways. Even when it seems like our pantry supplies are low, somehow we are always able to accommodate the requests for food. That’s because of very regular donations from many in the congregation and partners from outside the church. Just when we had no more peanut butter and jelly, for example, two angels from Teachers Federal Credit Union in Wading River came with several boxes full.
If it seems that we are always requesting staple items like soup, cereal, pasta sauce, and tuna, yes we are. If you wonder what the pantry needs, you can bet that we always need those items. Of course, we welcome any and all items that are donated.
We have also been blessed with fresh vegetables from our own garden to go along with the produce that is regularly donated. Our garden has produced lots of basil, zucchini, and tomatoes, and some green beans. All is delicious and much appreciated by the families receiving it.
Back to School Project:
We are blessed to have been able to assist 25 children from our Helping Hands families, with new backpacks and all of the binders, notebooks, folders, pencils, pens, dry erase markers, glue sticks, crayons, scissors, and other items that their school districts requested. Elisabeth Wesselborg, who loves this project, directed it magnificently.
The Brownsville Texas Shelter:
We joined with many sister churches in our Long Island East District to collect underwear and socks for the shelter in Brownsville, Texas that has been assisting newly arriving women and children.
Maureen’s Haven:
The Outreach Team decided to continue our service to the Maureen’s Haven homeless shelter this winter. Beginning in November we will provide a nutritious dinner and fellowship to men in the program. Our site will be Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Aquebogue. In addition to contributions from our congregation, we hope to attract donations of food from restaurants, local delis, and interested friends and individuals from outside our church.
We thank God for blessing us so that we may bless others.