National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is November 13-21, 2021 sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless. During November, FUMC is working to raise awareness about the pressing problem of hunger and homelessness with educational and service opportunities.
WAYS TO GIVE
Mission Emphasis: Christmas Eve Breakfast For the Homeless
For over 20 years, FUMC has sponsored a Christmas Eve Breakfast in the Family Life Center. We provide a hot breakfast, served restaurant style with hosts and a smiling wait staff. After breakfast, guests receive a gift of hats, gloves, lip balm, socks, bus pass, and a few other items. Our goal is to raise $5,000 for this Christmas celebration with our unhoused neighbors in the church parking lot. Your gifts, marked “Christmas Eve Breakfast,” may be left in the Offering basket as you leave the Sanctuary, made online, or mailed to the church office throughout the month of November. To donate online, select “Other Designated” from the drop-down menu and indicate “Christmas Eve Breakfast” in the memo section. Give Online.
Food Drive for Caritas of Austin
Help fight hunger by bringing canned goods to church! All contributions will be donated to Caritas of Austin, a local nonprofit working toward preventing and ending homelessness in Austin. With your help, the Caritas Pantry provides take-home groceries to families as people are transitioning out of homelessness. Together with their other services, food assistance builds a strong foundation as people work toward their life goals. When you are struggling to make ends meet and must choose between putting food on the table and paying the electric bill, weekly groceries bring great relief. We are collecting some of their most needed items throughout November:
Cans of Meat (Tuna, Spam, Vienna Sausage, Chicken, Sardines)
Cans of Soup
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Tomato Sauce
Instant Coffee
Regular Coffee
Cans of Chili
To-go Tuna Kits
Mayonnaise (small bottle)
Mustard (small bottle)
Thank you for taking action in the fight against hunger. Together we can ensure people have healthy food as they rebuild their lives. Donations may be left in the collection bins located in the foyers of the chapel, sanctuary, and Family Life Center.
WAYS TO LEARN
At the Well Ministry
Sunday, November 14, 10:00-10:45 a.m.
Inspired by God’s Spirit, At the Well welcomes Austin-area women experiencing homelessness by providing hospitality, supportive services, and some of life’s basic necessities in a caring, safe, and accepting environment that affirms self-worth and dignity. This new ministry is blessing everyone involved. It is growing and we welcome additional volunteers! Come hear stories of love, acceptance, and transformation from our dedicated volunteers. To learn more about volunteering, contact Pastor Cathy Stone at cathy@fumcaustin.org.
Cold Weather Shelter
Sunday, Nov. 21, 12:15-1:00 p.m.
First UMC is a Tuesday night host for a Cold Weather Shelter for Women. This program is managed by Front Steps at the ARCH (Austin Resource Center for the Homeless). We will have a training on Sunday, November 21 at 12:15 p.m. in Murchison Chapel with snacks provided. This training will include safety/logistics about this program, how to treat our guests, how to deescalate stressful situations and signup information. For additional information, contact Pastor Cathy Stone at cathy@fumcaustin.org
WAYS TO SERVE
Make Manna Bags
Anytime
We are collecting assembled manna bags for our hungry neighbors experiencing homelessness. These bags are distributed on site at FUMC as well as through the downtown Austin Community Court. Please email Pastor Cathy at cathy@fumcaustin.org to coordinate drop-off at the Family Life Center. Manna bag items can include: tuna or chicken lunch kit, peanut butter or cheese cracker sandwiches, Nutri Grain fruit bar, raisins, juice box, socks, and an encouraging message such as “God loves you.”
Feed My People Breakfast
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30-7:00 a.m.
FLC Great Hall & Parking Lot
The Feed My People on Tuesday and Thursday mornings is a program of Foundation for the Homeless. Currently, we are serving a sack breakfast at the doors of the Family Life Center. Please visit the signup to learn more.
Mobile Loaves and Fishes
Sunday, November 21, 4:00 and 5:00 p.m.
The MLF truck goes out almost every day, but this day is for FUMC individuals and families who would like to try face-to-face service working with experienced volunteers. Join the Make-Ready Team from 4:00-5:00 p.m. (preparing food and loading truck) and/or the Truck Team from 5:00-7:00 p.m. (delivering food around Austin). Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/fumcmlf .
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness around Austin
29th Annual Homeless Memorial Service
Sunday, November 14, 8:00 a.m., Tree of Remembrance, 9307 Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail
This service names the men, women, and children who have lived and died in Austin while homeless and living in poverty. Service begins at 8:00 a.m., gathering with refreshments at sunrise. The service will also be live on the House the Homeless Facebook page.
ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot
Thursday, November 25, 9:30 a.m., Long Center for the Performing Arts
Join ThunderCloud Subs and thousands of participants for Austin’s favorite Thanksgiving tradition. The ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot features a five-mile run, one-mile walk, and a Kids-K — with both live and virtual options! One hundred percent of the proceeds are donated to Caritas of Austin, a non-profit that works to prevent and end homelessness in the Austin community Sign up to volunteer or participate here.
Foundation for the Homeless Honky Tonk Christmas
Wednesday, December 22, 7:00 p.m.
A Honky Tonk Christmas is a family friendly country music performance featuring William Beckmann and Max & Heather Stalling sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka to support the ongoing mission of Foundation for the Homeless (FFH), a 501c3 public charity, to provide stable housing for families with children experiencing homelessness. The Feed My People Breakfast that happens at FUMC each Tuesday and Thursday is one of their programs. What a fun way to support the important work of FFH! To learn more, visit the FFH Website.