HEDGES CHAPEL

The Hedges Chapel Outreach Committee is thankful to be a part of the generous community that is The Woods!  When we invited you to join us in sharing our blessings with children and families in need this Thanksgiving and Christmas, we never envisioned being able to receive all the funds and almost all of the non-perishable food we needed for both holidays prior to Thanksgiving!

 

For Thanksgiving, the 11 families we helped represented 58 individuals.  Most had been identified by Starting Points from the Pleasant View Elementary School area in nearby Morgan County.  In addition, we assisted two families who had recently transitioned out of Bethany House, a shelter for women and children facing homelessness.  Bethany House also helps these families get on their feet and establish their own home.  Thanks to you, it will be a brighter holiday season for the two families now established in a home of their own.  (The Chapel donates funds during the year to help support Bethany House shelter operations as well.  See more information in the Outreach Committee planning meeting minutes in the members section.) 

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Each of the 11 families received 3 large bags and a box of groceries, plus two overstuffed bags of produce and dairy items in addition to their turkey. 

 

For Christmas, we plan to assist these families plus several more.  The non-perishable food you donated plus the fresh food we will buy with your cash donations will provide a nutritious meal as well as supplies to utilize the leftovers and stock the pantry a bit.

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Since our storage cupboard is filled with everything we need, we are not asking for any donations for Christmas food.  If however, you have already purchased items for us, we gladly will accept them and add them to what we will give out.  Please drop any food donations off in the fellowship hall after Sunday services or contact us for arrangements to drop off or pick up your food.  Use the contact us link on this website.  

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Information about the Christmas Angel gifts of clothing for the children of these families will be forthcoming.  We are asking individuals or families to provide a maximum of two wrapped gift boxes of clothing for a child of their choice.  All size details, age of child and favorite colors will be provided.  Please watch for the announcement if you are interested in helping in this way.  

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Finally, we wish to acknowledge Mike Sword, the manager of the Foxcroft Martin's Food store, who is our partner in obtaining the fresh food we provide.  Mike and his staff always have come through with all the food we ordered, despite pandemic and supply chain challenges.  The Chapel enjoys reduced prices in some cases and a gift card through the generosity of Martin's. 

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As always, thank you for your role in making the holidays a little brighter for families in need!

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Outreach Committee

Vicki Cooper; Sheila Joy, vice-chair; Kris O’Brien; Laura Powell; Gayle Remenick; Donna Watson and Judy Snyder, chair.