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FALL 2016
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From Our
Community Outreach Co-Chairs
Mike & Sue Hornby 


This fall has been unseasonably warm, but winter is not far ahead. We need to be ready to feed lots of hungry people throughout the year and we will be open seven days a week beginning in early November. September was our “Bring a Friend” month, but if you, or someone you know, would like to join us in feeding hungry folks, please come in and look around. You are welcome anytime between 8:30-10:30 Monday through Friday. Please let Jane, the Outreach Coordinator, know you will be coming in.

A Brief Update on Safe Harbor: As of July 15, 2016 Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse, Inc. became the sole owner of the 517 Wellington St. property. If you will recall this is the property Safe Harbor has been trying to acquire from the City of Traverse City for the last 2-1/4 years. In early September we held a work bee there to try to spruce up the overgrown, weed infested property. With the help of over 50 volunteers we were able to rake, cut, mow and spread mulch to make the property look much more respectable than it has in many years. I wouldn’t doubt the following morning many of the neighbors thought they were in the wrong neighborhood.

The initial stage of the fund raising process was a feasibility study to determine if the community would support the funding of this project. The results of the feasibility study indicated that many of the foundations and philanthropic groups in the Grand Traverse Area and the State were supportive of this project. We hope to be able to give a report to our stake holders of the progress of the fund raising campaign within the next few months. Our initial contact with designated donors, foundations and private individuals has been very positive.

The present phase we are in now is firming up construction estimates into firm bids, finalizing architectural plans and seeking contractors for the actual construction project.

We will look forward to keeping you appraised of the progress of this project in the near future.

SOUND BYTES 

Overheard at Outreach Breakfast
 

“If I don’t drink I can’t fall asleep.”

“God is not perfect!!!!”

“I walked here from Indiana to see my father.”

“I don’t trust the police or the hospital.”

“We both got jobs!”

“Thank you for all you do here.”

“I am going to die anyway from the cancer, I might as well drink.”

“Tomorrow I move into Goodwill Inn.”


From Our
  Community Outreach Coordinator
Jane Lippert

 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH STATS

2117 meals served September 2016 
( versus 1,435 meals served in September 2015 )
* 87 average number of meals served at
Thursday Community Meals *

98 bus passes distributed in September

* * * * * * * * * *

UPDATES

'Happy Feet'
This project collecting new and gently-used sneakers and boots for our homeless guests was spearheaded by Jane and a college buddy. Jane’s buddy, Brian (aka Cheech), contacted a mailing list of Alma College Alumni soliciting checks and shoes. The Alma College Alumni office caught wind of the project and invited Jane to sponsor a booth at the October Homecoming. In addition to being a lot of fun the project has raised $850 and 75 pairs of sneakers and boots as of October 10. We have taken great joy in distributing sneakers and look forward to purchasing boots and continuing the distribution!
Happy, Happy Feet!!!!

--ALSO--

September "Invite a Friend to Volunteer" Month.  
Five friends were brought in to volunteer and two more will be participating this month.  
All seven are joining our Community Outreach volunteer team!

-PLEASE TAKE NOTE--

Outreach Volunteer Training

There will be two options for Volunteer Training.

1.)  Wednesday, October 19 6:30 pm following Wonderful Wednesday dinner   ...or...
2.)  Sunday October 23 10:10 am following the 9 am worship service.

Each of these sessions will provide an overview of Outreach Services and instructions on how to safely work in the kitchen. Health and safety guidelines, such as the use of gloves, are especially important with a vulnerable population like our homeless guests whose immune systems are compromised.

Questions? Contact Jane Lippert, Outreach Coordinator jane@tccentralumc.org

                * * * * * * * * * *

“Sometimes it's easy to walk by (homeless people) because we know we can't change someone's whole life in a single afternoon. But what we fail to realize it that simple kindness can go a long way toward encouraging someone who is stuck in a desolate place.” -Mike Yankoski

There is a great miracle that happens every morning in the kitchen at Central Church. Volunteers congregate from every corner of the county and every flavor of church. These volunteers prepare and serve healthy, hot food to our homeless and food-insecure guests. But that is not all! The volunteers treat each of our guests with dignity and respect.

It never ceases to astound me how people donate an entire morning to work in our kitchen. I am grateful every day for each volunteer as they wash the dishes, crack the eggs and converse with the breakfast or lunch guests. This selflessness and joy energizes me and points to the reason we all share in this sacred activity of feeding:  We are walking the path of Christ and seek to extend his love for the “least of these” into 2016. I am proud and grateful to serve with such a circle of saints.
      --Grace upon Grace, Jane Lippert, Outreach Coordinator--

                 * * * * * * * * * *
                     IMPORTANT  DATES

October 19 (Wed) at 6:30pm  Outreach Volunteer Training in the Fellowship Hall
October 23 (Sun) at 10:10am  Outreach Volunteer Training in the Fellowship Hall
October 26 (Wed) 8am-5pm Jane will be participating in the ServSafe Certification Training
November 6 (Sun) 11am-2pm  Food Rescue of NW MI 'Empty Bowls' Annual Event at Hagerty Center
-- see details at --  http://www.goodwillnmi.org/2016/09/emptybowls/
November 27 (Sun) at 3pm Jazzy Christmas fundraiser for Community Outreach in CUMC's Sanctuary
From Our
  Community Outreach   Kitchen Coordinator 
Geri Torno

Thanks for all you are doing to follow the Health Department recommendations when preparing and serving food for our guests. Flu and cold season will be here soon so please continue to wash your hands often, wear gloves when preparing and serving food AND change your gloves frequently.

Some dish room reminders:

  • After turning off the dishwashing machine, check the inside bottom and sides of the machine for any utensils or plastic glasses.

  • Remove the metal basket and clean, many times silverware will find its way into the basket.

  • After you are finished washing dishes, please wipe down the new white backsplash so food particles don’t accumulate.

As always, Thank You to all our volunteers who help ensure that our kitchen as well as the Fellowship Hall are safe and clean areas to enjoy a delicious meal.

From Our
  Community Outreach Volunteer Coordinator 
  Kathy Dally

OUTREACH WINTER SCHEDULE

As colder weather approaches, our Community Outreach breakfast program will once again open seven days a week to offer our neighbors a warm respite with breakfast, fellowship and support. Thanks to your hard work and dedication, the over 25 extra volunteer winter weekend work slots each month have always been filled.

Please consider working one weekend morning a month or bring a friend with you on one of your regular Outreach work days.  Your friend can see what we do, meet some of our neighbors and possibility be moved to help on a regular basis.

Thank you for making a difference! 
If you are interested in volunteering your services to assist our Community Outreach ministry, please contact Jane Lippert by calling (231) 946-5191 or emailing her at: janerobertalippert@gmail.com
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Mike Hornby
Co-Chair
Sue Hornby
Co-Chair
Jane Lippert
Outreach Coordinator
Kaitlyn Troutman
Committee Secretary
Geri Torno
Kitchen Coordinator
Kathy Dally
Volunteer Coordinator
Ryan Hannon
Goodwill Street Outreach 
Chris Lane
CUMC Pastor 
Bob Bevier
Deb Jackson
Kay Retelle
Mike Holland
 

Community Outreach
has an immediate need
for donated supplies such as:
disposable razors, hair brushes and combs,
new or gently-used t-shirts, and sweatpants.

If you're interested in donating any items,
please place in a box/bag and label for "Outreach",
then drop it off at
Central Church's Main Office.

= Thank You =
Read past issues of the 
Community Outreach 
newsletter.
 

IMPORTANT DATES

January 21, 2017

through

February 4, 2017

+ + +

Central Church
will be host to
Safe Harbor.

+ + +

Volunteer Sign-Up
will begin on
Sunday,
December 4, 2016.
Copyright © 2016 Central United Methodist Church.
All rights reserved. 

Our mailing address is: 
Central United Methodist Church
222 Cass Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
Tel.  (231) 946-5191

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Central United Methodist Church · 222 Cass Street · Traverse City, MI 49684 · USA