Collective Aid is a ministry to aid the organizations that, through the love of Christ and volunteer hours, make our community a better place. Together we can make a difference.
Christ loves the church, and his greatest command for us was to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:35-40). We are to be his hands and feet here on earth, where we live, work and worship. The best way we can do that is to provide for the organizations around us that strive daily to make a difference in our community.
Each month, Life Church Vineyard has designated a recipient for donation. The boxes below tell of each organization’s mission and has a detailed list of their needs. There is an area inside the church for collection.
MINISTRY OF THE MONTH
JANUARY: The Refuge
The Refuge is a leading faith-based, non-profit addiction recovery ministry founded in Ohio in 1999. The mission of The Refuge is to change the lives of men affected by addiction through Christ. Their goal is to take men from active addiction to becoming responsible men of God, who go on to serve as lights to their families and communities. They do so through The Refuge Residential Addiction Recovery Programs.
NEEDS: toiletries (toothpaste and brushes especially), toilet paper, paper towels, sheets for Twin Beds, Pillowcases, NIV Study Bibles, Journals, 18 Gallon Totes with Lids
FEBRUARY: FOUNDATION SHELTER
The Foundation Shelters is dedicated to responding to the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:31-46). He calls upon each follower to respond to the needs of the downcast with a merciful heart, supplying not only words, but also and most importantly, deeds.
NEEDS: Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Soap, Wipes, Paper Towels, 8 oz foam cups and cereal bowls, Socks, Underclothing, Coats & Sock Caps in the Winter, Shoes & Gloves, Personal Item Packets, Single Bed Sheets & Pillows, Towels & Washcloths, Washing Detergent, Cleaning Products for the Building.
MARCH: GRACE HAVEN MINISTRIES
Grace Haven is free to all women suffering from addiction and want help to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of a spiritual, physical and mental deficiency due to their drug abuse. They use a faith-based approach to addiction recovery that can be one of the most effective ways to help addicts and alcoholics find lasting freedom and sobriety. Whether women are suffering from an opiate addiction or any other addiction, Grace Haven is here to help women strengthen their faith during the recovery process.
NEEDS: laundry pods, dryer sheets, paper towels, tampons, clorox wipes, zip locks, trash bags, trash bags and deodorant.
APRIL: LANCASTER VINEYARD FOOD PANTRY
The LVC food pantry originally began in 2001 in a church member’s basement. Years later, it is now housed in its own building, the Agape Ministry Center, located at 423 West Wheeling St. in Lancaster, Ohio. The ‘win’ for the Lancaster Vineyard food pantry is to move their clients towards a relationship with Christ by serving them in a warm, hospitable manner.
NEEDS: toiletries: pads and tampons, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner. condiments: ketchup mustard and mayo and any spices. These items are not able to be ordered through Mid-Ohio Food Bank.
MAY & June: Pregnancy Decision Health Center & Bottoms Up Diaper bank
For more than four decades, Pregnancy Decision Health Center has been providing vital resources to women in Central Ohio. They’re here for you with free pregnancy tests, prenatal vitamins, pregnancy & parenting classes, clothes, diapers, car seats and more. Bottoms Up Diaper Bank collects diapers for those who have trouble affording them.
PDHC NEEDS: diapers, wipes, bottles, bibs, car seats, baby blankets, baby clothing (all new items only) Or take a baby bottle to fill with $$.
July: Hardbarger Impact Ministries
Bed Brigade launched in 2016 and provides twin xl beds to individuals who need them.
To date they have delivered almost 800 beds and counting!
The majority of the beds are built from scratch. They use 2 different designs that alternate between based on material availability. All of the beds are Twin XL and come complete with a pillow/fitted sheet/flat sheet/blanket.
HIM NEEDS: Twin XL fitted sheets, twin XL flat sheets, twin sized blankets, bed pillows.
AUGUST: SCHOOL SUPPLIES
The month of August we will be collecting school supplies to donate to Fairfield Union School district.
NEEDS:Backpacks (new backpacks only), notebook paper, #2 pencils, erasers, folders, crayons, sanitizing wipes, tissues, baggies of various sizes.
sEPTEMBER: COMMUNITY ACTION
Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action enables low-income families and individuals of all ages to obtain the skill, the knowledge, and the motivation to secure the opportunities needed for them to become fully self-sufficient.
NEEDS:
OCTOBER-DECEMBER: JOB & FAMILY SERVICES
Fairfield County Job and Family Services provides services such as food, cash, childcare, transportation and medical assistance; child and adult protection; child support enforcement; and employment assistance. Their mission is to protect children and elderly, encourage family stability, and promote self-reliance for a stronger community.
NEEDS: gas cards, grocery gift cards, (at Christmas time new unopened unwrapped toys can be dropped off directly at their offices)
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Other ways to support the community
The Free Store (located inside Maple Street UMC) is looking for volunteers to sort donated items on Tuesdays and Fridays. They also serve lunch on Wednesdays and Fridays and could use help in the kitchen with preparation and serving those lunches. If interested, contact Denise Matlin 740-503-0256 or the church office at 740-687-6384. **NOTE: The Free Store is open every Wednesday morning for shopping. It’s all free and all are welcome to shop!
Foundation Dinners is able to have a number of volunteers help in food preparation as well as counseling, job search assistance and more to help express compassion to those who need it here in Lancaster. If you are interested in volunteering, please call Rick Chrysler at 740-974-4256. For directions to Foundation Dinners, click HERE.
Foundation Shelters is in need of the following: antacids, aspirin, paper towels, toilet paper, Q-tips, dryer sheets, ladies’ underwear sizes 6-11.
Breakfast 4 U Pleasantville could use your help packaging breakfast bags for school-age children every Tuesday 6pm at Pleasantville UMC. Usually takes about 30 minutes.
Grace Haven New & Used Store located at 333 S. Broad St in Lancaster, could always use help organizing and working during store hours. Contact Kellie Argyle if you are interested: (740)974-1391
Lancaster Vineyard Food Pantry located at 423 West Wheeling Street Lancaster. They are open to the public every Wednesday from 3:00-6:30pm. To volunteer please contact Cindy Hill (740)215-0159. They need help with unloading trucks, helping clients load their groceries and various other things.