Outreach Activities
Food Collection
Food to help those in need may be brought to St. Luke’s Church at any time. The food is collected and delivered to United Community Ministries (UCM) on the first Sunday of each month. The burden is particularly great during the summer and holidays. Please bring a can of food, diapers, cereal, etc. Each little bit helps a lot! Zelda Shute coordinates this effort and can be reached at shutes@cox.net or (703) 768-2402.
Meals on Wheels
Barbara Leonard coordinates the volunteers who make deliveries once a month to shut ins who have a difficult time getting out for or preparing meals. Meals are picked up at Mount Vernon Hospital and delivered to designated routes. If you can help with this important ministry, please contact her at bbleonard@verizon.net or (703) 768-4113.
Rising Hope Meals Ministry
Groups of volunteers prepare a meal for about 75-80 people, many of whom are homeless and attend Rising Hope Mission Church on Route 1. This is done on the third Sunday of every month. Joyce Delaney chairs this program and can be reached at: tomandjoyce.delaney10@gmail.com or (703) 765-6455.
eScrip
Don’t forget to sign up at Safeway website November 1 or online with escrip to allow a certain percentage of purchases at Safeway and other participating businesses to be sent back to St. Luke’s for outreach needs. This brings in well over $1,000 each year to the outreach committee just by St. Luke’s members signing up. Dixie Hougen coordinates this effort and can be reached at taos11@verizon.net or (703) 360-3948. St. Luke’s eScrip number is 501309362.
Eagles Wings Tutoring
This program is conducted at Calvary Presbyterian Church. Thirty tutors are needed to work with Mount Eagle Elementary School students on Wednesday evenings. For more information, contact Joe Gilfillan at jgilfillan@verizon.net or (703) 360-7632 or program director, Susan Palmer at (703) 768-2319 or ppalmersch@aol.com.
Kennedy Shelter Lunch Program
Purchase a requested list of food for the Kennedy Shelter about 6-7 times a year. You are reimbursed by the outreach committee for the actual expenditure for the food. Shoppers and deliverers of the food are needed. Zelda Shute at shutes@cox.net or (703) 768-2402, coordinates this program.
Mental Health Homeless Program
Personal hygiene supplies such as small shampoos, soap, etc. and clothing are collected at the church in a marked basket. Joan Howerton delivers these items to the Mental Health Care Center. Contact information: joanhowerton@aol.com or (703) 765-0799.
Ventures in Community (VIC)
This group of local churches of many denominations and social assistance organizations meet once a month at a different location to address social concerns facing our community such as homelessness, need for food and housing, etc. Sue Rogich, dsrogi2@verizon.net, (703) 768-4874, and Sharon Barnes, sharonwbarnes@gmail.com, (703) 768-2623 are St. Luke’s representatives. All are invited to attend.
Boy Scout Troop 654
St. Luke’s has sponsored this troop for the past 58 years. It continues to thrive to provide a pathway and support for teenage boys to develop into mature young men with leadership capabilities and a focus on assisting others. Several of St. Luke’s sons and dads are active in the troop. Charles Kinney serves this mission as liaison with the Parish and troop leadership.
Ventures in Community Hypothermia Outreach Program
Ventures in Community overflow shelter for the homeless. St. Luke’s volunteers work each Wednesday night in February and March to provide the food for about 25 homeless people. This has helped save lives during cold winter weather. Shelter chaperones, volunteers and food are always needed.
United Community Ministries’ (UCM’s) "Share the Joy" Program
This program provides toys and other gifts for approximately 958 children in our community. "Share the Joy" is a Holiday Shop set up at UCM where parents may come to "shop" for items for their children. The shop is stocked with new, unwrapped toys and other items donated by churches, businesses, schools, and individuals within our community. St. Luke’s sets up a Christmas tree with ages of children on ornaments. People can pick one and bring a gift, clothes, gift certificates, toys, etc. Dixie Hougen chairs this program and can be reached at taos11@verizon.net.
Adopt a Kindergartener & Back to School Drive
Held each August to collect backpacks and other school supplies for children going to school who have a difficult time paying for school supplies. Anne Hargrove chairs this program and can be reached at annehargrove@cox.net
