Community Ministries Newsletter: July
Monday, July 1st, 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 updates on the move to the Smith Building, a review of our most recent Summer Volunteer Workday, and an opportunity to learn more about Gairoy Gray, our part time Logistics Coordinator!
Sandwich Bags
As of June 1st, Community Ministries will begin providing sandwich bags to clients on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.
Volunteers are still needed to purchase, make, and deliver the sandwich bags on these days and can sign up using the Sign-Up Genius link below.
For any questions or concerns regarding the sandwich bags or volunteering, please reach out to the Director of Operations for Community Ministries, Jacob Ivey at jivey@firstpresatl.org.
Summer Volunteer Workdays
The first summer volunteer workday was a success! With the help of the FPC College Group, we were able to move all the necessary items from Fifield Hall to our brand-new space on the first floor of the Smith Building.
Our next Summer Volunteer Workday will be on July 14th form 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Volunteers are needed to aid in the organization of the clothing corner and hospitality closet, making sandwiches for the upcoming week, and accomplish other much needed task. Volunteers will meet on the first floor of the Smith Building in the Charles Black and Connie Lee Community Ministries Center.
Those interested in volunteering for the workday can sign-up using the link below.
Those interested in volunteering for a workday can sign-up using the link below.
Community Ministries has moved!
Community Ministries has officially moved into the newly renovated Smith Building and begun operations on the first and second floors! Since starting in the new space on June 12th, Community Ministries has served over 698 individuals!
With this move, Community Ministries can now track and maintain real-time data on the individuals served and the services they received. Since opening, we have served:
411 individuals in the Mailroom
151 individuals with Social Services
136 individuals at the Clothing Corner
Active services on the first floor include the Hygiene Closet, Mailroom, and Clothing Corner. Soon to open services on the first floor include showers, a barber, a food market, and a foot care ministry.
This is all made possible by you, our dedicated volunteers! Thank you to everyone who played a part in helping Community Ministries move to the Smith Building and to everyone who has volunteered so far in our new space!
If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering for any of the services described above, feel free to check out our various volunteer opportunities by clicking the button below!
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: Gairoy Gray
What is your role with Community Ministries?
I am Part time Logistics Coordinator with Community Ministries. But I do lots of things, I straighten up stuff and be as nice as I can.
How long have you been with Community Ministries?
1 year.
What is your favorite part of working for Community Ministries?
I love to make the coffee and the Kool-Aid and the water. Its my favorite thing.
Gairoy you are always in conversation with our neighbors. Why is being in fellowship with our neighbors so important to you?
Because some of them have issues and I can help them and if I can’t help them I might know people who can.
What is your favorite service Community Ministries provides?
I love making sandwiches and giving them out to folks!
Volunteer Role Spotlight: Reception
Do you enjoy helping people? Are you an organizer? Then reception is for you! We need individuals to act as greeters and receptionists for Community Ministries clients.
Receptionists’ volunteers are the first faces that our FPC neighbors see when they enter Community Ministries facilities. Receptionists are responsible for booking appointments for clients and ensuring they know where to go. Receptionist volunteers are needed Mondays through Thursdays, with flexible shifts anytime between 10 am and 4 pm.