Community Ministries Newsletter: April
Saturday, April 20th, 2024
We are excited to bring you the latest edition of the Community Ministries newsletter! Community Ministries is a ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta dedicated to serving those experiencing homelessness and those in transition in Midtown Atlanta and beyond. Every week, Community Ministries can expect to serve over 600 clients through social services, feeding ministries, the Clothing Corner, the Hospitality Closet, and the Mailroom.
Continue reading for the return of the Sunday Prayer Breakfast, the PB&J hour with the youth group, meet more of our staff, and learn about the numerous volunteer opportunities available for those seeking to connect with the church community while assisting our neighbors!
Editor’s Note
The Community Ministries Newsletter will now transition from being biweekly to monthly in order to accommodate a larger, more content-filled newsletter. Volunteer needs and urgent updates will still be sent out regularly as needed.
The Return of the Sunday Prayer Breakfast
The prayer breakfast is back! After a hiatus, the Sunday Prayer Breakfast returned this past Sunday, April 14th, to enthusiastic cheers and excitement among Community Ministries clients. 50 people were served a hearty meal of grits, biscuits, eggs, sausage, juice, and coffee by 25 dedicated volunteers. Both volunteers and clients were thrilled to reunite, reigniting long-standing friendships formed at the breakfast.
As the breakfast continues, growth is inevitable both in the number of individuals served and the need for volunteers!
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering for the breakfast, a brief mandatory orientation is required. There are two upcoming orientations scheduled for Tuesday, April 30th, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm and Monday, May 6th, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Both training sessions will be conducted virtually.
PB&J Sundays with FPC Youth
Did you know that every Sunday the FPC youth group gathers to make over 100 sandwiches for Community Ministries clients? Every Sunday, youth and their families are invited to join the FPC youth group and Community Ministries to have fun and make sandwiches for Community Ministries clients! Thank you to the FPC youth group for the thousands of sandwiches you have made thus far!
Those interested in helping to make sandwiches with the FPC youth group should meet in the Fifield kitchen at 10:00 am on Sundays and plan to be done by 10:45 am.
Donations Needed
We at Community Ministries are deeply appreciative of every donation we receive! It is because of the generosity of our donors and volunteers that we can fulfill our mission.
Individuals can donate by either delivering items physically to the church or purchasing them through our Amazon Wishlist. Physical donations can be dropped off at the church’s rear security entrance off of Art Center Way, Monday through Thursday between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, or on Sundays between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm.
Here is a list of our current needs:
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Body soap, body wash
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Dental Floss
Shampoo/Conditioner
Deodorant
Razors
Lotion
Chapstick
Wet wipes (for hands, body, or baby wipes)
Nail clippers/ Files
Hair combs
Feminine Hygiene Products
Hand Sanitizer
Blankets
Backpacks, Sling bags or Luggage
Reusable/strong shopping bags
Hand warmers
Sleeping Bags
Washcloths
Mesh Laundry Bags
Laundry detergent pods (pods only, please, no liquid detergent)
Ziplock bags – 1-gallon, 1-quart and sandwich size
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All items donated to the the clothing corner should be in new or good condition. Used but not damaged clothing is accepted.
Men's pants (especially sweatpants, jeans, khakis, dark work pants)
Men's T-shirts, Sweatshirts, and Collared shirts
Women's Pants and Tops, Sweaters and Sweatshirts
Shoes, (especially men's and women's sneakers, shower slides, work boots)
Men's and Women's New Underwear and Undershirts
Belts & Warm Scarves
Warm Hats & Gloves
Plastic drawstring bags
Community Ministries Staff Introductions: Quanishia Dixon
What is your role with Community Ministries?
My role with Community Ministries is serving as Case Manager.
How long have you been with Community Ministries?
I have been with community Ministries since July 2023.
What is your favorite part of working for Community Ministries?
My favorite part of working with Community Ministries is that I get to help people get the things that they need and get to see the growth of where they were and where they get to.
Community Ministries offers a wide variety of social services. What exact social services does Community Ministries provide?
Community Ministries offers assistance with getting birth certificates, IDs, food stamp applications, Homeless verification letters, Grady Medication vouchers, and 1 on 1 case management.
What is your favorite thing to help clients with?
My favorite thing is to help clients by empowering and assisting them to come up with a plan to get into a better situation and headspace.
Community of Service: Volunteer Fellowship & Training
Join Community Ministries for a fellowship event where we will explore the meaning of volunteering, discover the various volunteer opportunities available with Community Ministries, and learn more about the individuals we serve. This will be an interactive, engaging, and informative time led by Director of Community Ministries Tricia Passuth and Director of Community Ministries Operations Jacob Ivey.
This event is open to anyone interested and is suitable for all ages and levels of experience. Current and past volunteers are highly encouraged to attend and learn more about Community Ministries and what it means to be in fellowship with one another and those we serve.
Sessions will be held on April 21st from 1:30 to 3:00 PM, and May 19th from 1:30 to 3:00 PM. To register click on the button below!
The 10th Annual Midtown Race for MAC
Come join our incredible community partner, Midtown Assistance Center, for there 10th Annual Midtown Race for MAC at Piedmont Park on Saturday, May 11, 2024. MAC’s annual 5k draws hundreds of runners from around Atlanta to raise awareness about and combat homelessness and hunger for working families.
By signing up, your race fee goes directly towards MAC’s mission of emergency assistance to prevent homelessness and hunger during periods of crisis, including through temporary rent or utility assistance to avoid eviction or disconnection, transportation to keep a job, or food on the table when times are lean.
The race is USATF certified and chip timed. Registration is $35, but register soon to avoid the next price increase.
Volunteer Role Spotlight: The Prayer Breakfast
The prayer breakfast has been a ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta since 1981 and at one point served over 500 people at a time! Today, the breakfast serves up to 150 guests entirely using volunteers. The breakfast is an incredibly impactful time of fellowship and community for both our unhoused neighbors and the volunteers.
There are multiple different roles that volunteers can fill at the breakfast:
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When: Sunday 5:00am to 7:00am
Number of Volunteers Needed: 1 to 2
Duties:
Bake Biscuits
Cook Sausage
Turn On Coffee Pots
Turn On Line Warmer
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When: Saturday Anytime Between 9am to 2pm
Number of Volunteers Needed: 1 to 3
Duties:
Set up Coffee Pots
Hard Boil Eggs
Place Cutlery, Plates, and Condiments
Place Biscuits on Trays
Count Out Plates on Serving Line
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When: Sunday 6:15am to 8:15am
Number of Volunteers Needed: 15 to 20
Duties:
Serve on the Line
Pour Juice and Coffee
Visit with Guest
Collect Plates and Cups
Wipe Down Tables and Chairs
Set up for 9am Service
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When: Sunday 6:30am to 7:45am
Number of Volunteers Needed: 1 to 2
Duties:
Operate Dishwasher
Handwash/Dry Cooking Pans and Coffee Makers
Most volunteers are expected to arrive at Fifield Kitchen by 6:00am and be done with service by 8:15am.
Before signing up to volunteer a brief orientation is required. There are two upcoming orientations scheduled for Tuesday, April 30th, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm and Monday, May 6th, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Both training sessions will be conducted virtually.