Serve – In The Community

Bradford Park Grocery Distribution

BRADFORD PARK GROCERY DISTRIBUTION PROJECT takes place on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and is a joint effort of FPC and Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Teams go door to door delivering groceries and praying with the recipients.This project is a blessing to every participant and recipient involved!
contact Harless Wright webewright@skybest.com

Food 4 Families 2018

HELP US FEED OUR NEIGHBORS AND THEIR CHILDREN THIS SUMMER!
More than 50% of the children at Bethel, Cove Creek, and Mabel Schools receive Free or Reduced lunch during the school year. In the summer the free and reduced lunches are not available…that’s where the Food 4 Families mission project comes in and we would love for you to join us!

Here are some ways that YOU can help feed children in Western Watauga County this summer…

DONATE CASH/CHECKS/CHANGE 
DONATE FOOD: Beef Stew, Velveeta Cheese
PACK Food boxes of kid-friendly food (June 25, July 9, July 23, August 6)
LOAD the church bus
DELIVER food to our partner churches (June 26, July 10, July 24, August 7)
PRAY that God will lead each of us to do our part to help feed the families that need it the most this summer.

You can sign up to volunteer at the Food 4 Families table in the Gathering Space beginning the Sunday after Easter.
Questions??? contact… Sue Newell: alltogether@bellsouth.net

Find out more  here… Food 4 Families

GATHERING to SERVE August 11, 2018

All ages will have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of God in our community on Saturday, August 11! A dedicated group of project leaders would love to have you on their team and serve alongside you in one of many projects to choose from.

Here’s what to expect:
8:00am… DEVOTIONS! Everyone meet at FPC for morning devotions

8:20—11:45am… PROJECTS (Find 2018 Project DESCRIPTIONS here)

NOON… LUNCH! Everyone meet at FPC for a delicious lunch prepared by the meal team… followed by a time to share experiences and give thanks to God for the opportunity to serve Him and the community
 
Childcare will be available throughout the morning for those too young to participate.
Questions? Contact Sue Newell at alltogether@bellsouth.net.
 

Helping Hands Wood Lot

HELPING HANDS WOOD LOT – a dedicated group of men and women from FPC and Grace Lutheran meet weekly year round to collect, cut and split wood which is then stock-piled in a lot adjacent to the Hunger Coalition. The purpose is to help offset the cost of heating homes for those who cannot afford to buy wood.
contact Harless Wright webewright@skybest.com

Hospitality House / WeCAN

HOSPITALITY HOUSE / WeCAN serves as a clearing house of benevolence assistance and crisis services for Watauga County residents. Hospitality House provides emergency shelter, transitional and family housing and permanent supportive housing for those in need. Bread of Life Community Kitchen provides 3 meals a day to all residents and any community members in poverty and need. The meals are managed by their food service coordinator and prepared by churches, civic organizations, and volunteers. For more information go to HOSPITALITY HOUSE.
 
Overflow Shelter at the Hospitality House… During the cold months of the year, we provide volunteers one day a week to sign in people who come in for the night to have a warm place to sleep. If you would like to help out, contact Wes Weaver at 828-264-9316.

Hunger Coalition / Western Watauga Food Outreach

WESTERN WATAUGA FOOD OUTREACH (WWFO)… Over 61% of the children at Bethel Elementary are enrolled in Free and Reduced Lunch. Many more would quality but will not apply. A trip for someone who lives in Bethel could easily take two hours of drive time and the cost of gas to get to and from the Hunger and Health Coalition. This has proven to be a significant barrier for many, many people in the western side of the community to get food. Western Watauga county is considered to be a food desert. There are so many people who go hungry do to a lack of easy access to food.
 
On the FIRST Thursday of every month from 4:00 – 6:00pm, First Presbyterian provides a team of volunteers for WWFO at the Community Center in Sugar Grove. Those who come to WWFO can take home bread which is available every week, as well as in season local produce and meat and / or eggs when available. Bags of food are given every 2 weeks to those who qualify through the Hunger Coalition system. A community meal is served every Thursday evening. Want to get involved? Contact Sue Newell at 828-265-3280 or alltogether@bellsouth.net.
 
HUNGER COALITION provides food and pharmacy assistance to the High Country. A collection basket for non-perishable food items is located at the bottom of the stairwell on the first floor. Find out more about the Hunger and Health Coalition HERE.

One Day With God Prison Ministry

A group from FPC volunteers in August at Avery Mitchell Correctional for a One Day With God Camp. The camps are sponsored by the High Country Prison Ministry in collaboration with Forgiven Ministry based in Taylorsville, NC.
The “One Day with God” Camps began with a vision of one day inside prison walls where parent and child could reconcile with one another and spend time together with God-anointed mentors working beside them. The day includes games, crafts, lunch, music, clowns, an illusionist, face painting, and a parent and child quiet time. It is a divinely appointed time for both child and inmate where both can experience the love of God and find forgiveness and reconciliation. If one child could have a Christ-centered Mom or Dad return home from prison, there would be a joyous change in that home forever, and it could change the path that child takes in life.

Contact Vicki Krueger at soyvicki@aol.com

For more information: FORGIVEN MINISTRY

Operation Christmas Child 

                     “Therefore go and make disciples, of all nations….”      Matthew 28:19a

Each fall, Circle 1 invites you to pack Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes with toys, toiletries, school supplies, books, and small articles of clothing AND to include messages telling children God loves them and you are praying for them.  There will be OCC Shoeboxes and packing information at the OCC Center in the Gathering Space, along with some donated items and toys made by our FPC kids that you may include in your shoeboxes.
   
What Goes in My Shoebox? 
 *Start with a quality item like a stuffed animal, soccer ball with pump, or clothing outfit that will capture the child’s attention the instant he or she opens the box.                                                                              
*Pack other fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies to fill the shoebox.                                        
*Pray for the child who will receive your gift and send a personal note and photo.                                       
*Include a donation of $9.00

RISE Against Hunger 2017

Rise Against Hunger’s meal packaging program is a volunteer-based initiative that coordinates the assemblyline packaging of highly nutritious dehydrated meals comprised of rice, soy, vegetables, and 23 essential vitamins and minerals. The program was created to give dedicated individuals and organizations the opportunity to participate in a hands-on international hunger relief program and to become educated, engaged advocates for the world’s hungry.

On Sunday, November 5, in the multi-purpose room, we partnered with the great guys in ASU’s Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity in the fight against hunger to pack over 17,000 meals!

If you have any questions about Rise Against Hunger or would like further information, please contact Steve at the church (828) 264-3906 or steve@firstpresboone.net.

When we rise together, we can create a world without hunger.