Church of the Palms is a giving church!
Have you been wondering about the organizations our church gives in kind donations to? Have you seen the boxes in the narthex and wondered about the programs they represent? Did you know that we have members who have it in their hearts to gather items for those in need and have created their own giving ministries? We hope this article will provide you with all the information you need to make your donations, or direct you to the appropriate people should you have any questions.
HART Pantry — The basic mission of the HART (Helping At Risk Teens) Pantry is to provide weekend food bags to teens who may be homeless or living in a situation with no adult support. But they also provide so much more. They strive to keep at-risk teens in school through providing basic clothing, toiletries, school supplies and refurbished bikes. Shelf stable, nutritious, single-serve packaged food items such as ramen noodles, protein bars and pudding/fruit cups are always needed. Financial donations are welcome. See page 15 for a special donation drive for Back to School supplies and backpacks. The Board of Mission and Outreach spearheads our work with HART Pantry. For more, contact Jan Eckstein at 623-875-7015 or [email protected] or see the website www.hartpantry.org.
Arouet Foundation — This non-profit organization empowers women and families impacted by the justice system. Arouet helps participants prepare for re-entry into society and assists these women with gaining meaningful employment and life skills following release from incarceration. At The Palms, through the efforts of the Social Justice Action Team’s Prison Ministry, we are helping by providing “starter kits” for women that are being released from Perryville Prison, as they are typically released with very little and often have no family in the area to support them. Backpacks or large tote bags, full-size hygiene items, blank journals with pens and Walmart gift cards (which allow them to purchase food, clothing and cell phones) are critical to making a fresh start. Bus passes, which can be purchased online, provide the means to get to required appointments and job interviews. For more information on the Church of the Palms Prison Ministry, contact Nancy Nonini at 612-751-4193 or [email protected]. For more information on the Arouet Foundation visit www.arouetempowers.org.
Deep Within Rehab Center — Laurie Cathey started this donation program to support this non-profit men’s drug/alcohol recovery program based in Peoria. The program seeks to extend a helping hand, helping men whose lives have been impacted by addiction to rebuild and flourish. Men’s clothing of all types, hygiene items and laundry detergent would be welcomed. For more details about giving contact Laurie Cathey at 623-238-3826 or [email protected]. To learn more about Deep Within Rehab Center, go to deepwithinrehab.com.
Asylum Seekers and Refugees — The Social Justice Action Team has a committee that works in cooperation with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW) to support those coming into our country in search of a better way of life. They are in need of socks and underwear for males and females of all ages, as well as baby blankets. Please contact Larry Cornelius from the Immigration and Refugees Committee at 602-402-6501 or [email protected] for more information. If you’d like to see the other programs offered by LSS-SW, they can be found at www.lss-sw.org.
Clothing for women leaving Perryville Prison — Steve and Jane Zukowski started this donation opportunity to provide clothing for women at Perryville who are being released from incarceration. Often women are released with very little in the way of appropriate street clothing needed to make a fresh start. Shirts/tops and pants of all sizes are welcome, but please no undergarments, shoes or outerwear. If you would like to donate, please contact Jane Zukowski at 928-587-1574 or [email protected].
Valley View Food Bank — The Palms has a long history of supporting this local food bank with donations of non-perishable food, personal hygiene items and cleaning supplies. If you would like more information about the Food Bank, please see their website www.feedingaz.org or call 623-583-3663.
So, as you can see, The Palms is very much a giving church, with many opportunities to share God’s unconditional love! If you would like to support these programs, you may bring your items to the narthex on Sundays during worship time, or they may be brought to the church office during regular office hours, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm. We would ask that you please identify which program your donation is for so we can make sure it goes to the right place. Thank you and God bless!