Outreach Volunteer Opportunities

 

 

We are collecting COATS during the month of December!

All sizes – children & adults, new or in good condition used – will be greatly appreciated.

Coats will be given to local charities helping those who are most in need.

Collection bins are located in the Wallace Foyer as well on the first floor.

And the crowds asked him,

‘What then should we do?’

 In reply he said to them,

‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’

                                                                                                             Luke 3:10-11

December 19 (5:45 PM) 4th Friday meal and cleaning at Safe Haven/A HOPE Shelter

Each month we are to provide/host dinner for the 8 residents of the Safe Haven Shelter, a unique program located at A-HOPE that offers shelter to persons with chronic mental health issues. After dinner we will also do some general cleaning for the day shelter. We will meet at the church at 5:45 PM and car pool to A-HOPE (19 N. Ann Street). Contact Ami Greene (658-1391) for more information.

 

Room in the Inn: A Ministry of Hospitality

Room in the Inn (RITI) began in 2001 as an emergency shelter for homeless women provided by several faith groups in the Asheville-Buncombe community. Rather than being located at one permanent site, the shelter rotates on a weekly basis, utilizing the physical structures and spiritual resources of the participating churches. The RITI churches work in conjunction with Homeward Bound’s A-HOPE Center which provides referral and screening of participants and other back-up services.

RITI is the opportunity to give hurting humans a safe and warm place to sleep, a hot dinner, a quick breakfast, and a bag lunch. It is also the opportunity to offer a friendly smile, a hearty laugh, a concerned heart. This is how we share Christ's love. Amazingly, people who share of themselves usually find that they receive more than they give. This is where we find Christ!

 First Presbyterian hosts RITI about every twelve weeks. The ministry relies almost entirely upon the participation of church members in a variety of roles:

 

  • Set-up/Clean-up: Each Sunday, mattresses are moved from one church to the next. We need a small team to help put out linens & pillows and set-up the dining space.
  • Transportation: Guests are driven between FPC and A-Hope in the morning and late afternoon each day.
  • Food: Volunteers bring dinner for the women every evening.
  • Hospitality: Church members serve as dinner and/or overnight hosts.

Some families have served together as dinner hosts, set-up volunteers, etc. Children learn so much when they experience faith being put into action!

You can sign-up to volunteer for our next hosting February 22 – 28 by contacting Jo Nan Hester or Michael Poulos.