Our Mission Committee is called to address the World, National, and local needs throughout the year. We do this through denominational programs, special funds, Men's Shelter and Soup Kitchen.
Now we embrace new members, new ideas and hopefully new resources. The food of the month is announced in the bulletin and newsletter.
Saturday Soup Kitchen
The Soup Kitchen serves on Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please contact Sue Ransom, 
Coordinator, if you are willing to volunteer your time in preparation, serving or cleanup.
The soup kitchen is running low on food. Congress has cut short the amount of food supplies that they are allowing to send to the various food agencies, which means that we will not be getting as much from the food bank. For awhile, we have been getting small shipments from the food bank and we have a small fund to help us out a bit. The group that cooks and serves the first Saturday of each month has their own funds through their own church in New Buffalo, Michigan, which helps out tremendously.
However, we are low on meat products and fruits, vegetables, jelly and instant potatoes. If you can help in supplying any of these items, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all of your volunteering and support.
Sue Ransom, Soup Kitchen Coordinator
The Deacons are sending out greeting cards to visitors, hospitalized, shut-ins, etc. If you have any extra cards that you aren’t going to use, please consider giving them to the Deacons. There is a yellow folder in the church office for the cards.
Blankets and More Blankets!
The Men’s Shelter is in need of some more blankets!
When you do your cleaning and decide that you don’t need all your blankets, and would like to get rid of them, please consider giving them to the Men’s Shelter.
Thank you!
Homeless Men's Shelter
The Men’s shelter season will began in October. Once again First Presbyterian Church will host the Shelter on Monday nights through April 2012. This mission of our church assures that these men have a dinner, a safe and warm place to sleep, and breakfast before they leave the building in the morning.
Our Men’s Shelter coordinator is Mike Kilbourne. He is looking for volunteers to serve the prepared meals on Monday evenings and to clean up after the meals. This usually takes about 2 hours, from 6:30-8:30 P.M., and there are at least 2 people serving each night. It has worked out well in the past to pick ONE Monday a month (that is a total of only six times a year) and you would work the same Monday (1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th) each month. It is enjoyable to work with the other volunteers at the shelter and to really see how this important Mission of our church works. Anyone is welcome.
There is always a need for your help. We depend on others to donate food for the dinner meals. This entails preparing a meal for approximately 20-25 hungry men and delivering that meal to the church. The men are truly cold, hungry and tired at the end of the day, and they are very grateful for the shelter and food that our church provides. There are teams of volunteers to serve the food and to clean up. If you cannot prepare food, please consider a donation of money for food to be purchased to serve. If you will provide a meal, please put your name and phone number on the sign-up sheet that is posted on the bulletin board posted as you enter the Edith Boyd Lounge. Your support is the only way this Mission works at First Presbyterian Church. This is something you can do to make a difference in our community and it is a great opportunity for us to do God's work and to share His love with our brothers in Christ. Thank you for your caring and generous spirits.
Dunebrook
The Mission Committee has selected Dunebrook as one of the missions of First Presbyterian Church. Dunebrook serves more than 300 families each month. They provide home visitation to guide and encourage struggling parents, educate school children on Body Safety, provide books for children who may not have any, and much more. In the words of Diana, a Dunebrook employee, "Your gift makes it possible for us to help families and supports our vision for every child to be safe, healthy, and happy."
Boys and Girls Club
The Boys and Girls Club is a recipient of First Presbyterian Mission funds. The mission of the Boys and Girls Club is to enable young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. The Boys and Girls Club offers a framework for youth development that provides young people with knowledge, skills and attributes they need to pursue their dreams and succeed in life. They plan on using our contribution to help support their computer program.
"You are a valuable asset to our organization and we very much appreciate your interest and your support in making our Michigan City Boys & Girls Club a positive place for kids." Allan Whitlow, Executive Director
“We are honored to join with the people from First Presbyterian Church to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ.” Father Dennis J. Blaney.
The Stepping Stone Shelter for Women
Another mission that First Presbyterian Church supports is the Stepping Stone Shelter for Women. This organization provides shelter and counseling to women and their children who find themselves in abusive situations.
Thank you for your support. You have helped to make our community a little safer for the women and children who need our services.” Gerry Jones, Executive Director of Stepping Stone Shelter for Women
Corner to Cornerstone
Corner to Cornerstone is located at 1709 E. Michigan Blvd. It is an organization that reaches out to youth and adults, providing mentoring, technical skills and self-help programs. We are helping sponsor their “Weekend Backpack” program. Children who may not have essentials during the weekend are given a backpack on Friday to take home. The backpack contains healthy snacks, personal hygiene products, and educational activities for the children to complete over the weekend. They return the backpack and completed work on Monday. “Weekend Backpack” program is just one of many provided by Corner to Cornerstone. If you would like to learn more about Corner to Cornerstone please see Mission Committee member K. P. Nfr.
Samaritan Counseling Center
The Samaritan Counseling Center is an old friend of ours, having had residence in our Christian Education Building for many years. We continue to have a good relationship with this organization. Dr. Don is a member of their board and several Presbys volunteer yearly to help with their annual fund raiser, Samaritan Skedaddle, either by working or walking. The mission of the Samaritan Center is to help individuals and organizations heal and grow by improving their spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. It is a community-base, interfaith counseling and education service.
“Your support makes it possible for us to continue to help others by making lives better, families stronger, and burdens lighter.” CeeCee Kaylor, Executive Director, Samaritan Counseling Center.
One Great Hour of Sharing
We have all felt the effects of the economic recession, but some cities have been devastated more than others. OGHS is making a difference in cities both immediate and long-term. Your gifts to the OGHS will help make a difference. Give generously, so that more communities can experience God's hope in the midst of hard times. Because you care and give, their lives will never be the same! Thank you for your support!
