Helping Hands for the Homeless"When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me. . . . Whenever you did [this] for my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me."
(Matthew 25: 35-36)The purpose of this Helping Hands for the Homeless Shelter Ministry is to share our love by serving others.
The Homeless are those persons who come to the Loudoun Emergency Homeless Shelter as a last resort, often with only the clothes on their backs. Members of Arcola Church began reaching out to this Homeless Shelter in November 2008, when some families cooked and served Thanksgiving dinner for the shelter residents. Then, some Arcola UMC members participated in three formal outreach activities for the Shelter: a winter coat collection, a Christmas present collection and a Valentine’s Day party.
Now, the leaders of this mission group are organizing volunteers who will embody a spirit of service and ministry by working in teams to provide for specific, ongoing needs of the homeless. These needs include Services, Supplies, and Transition Support for the residents of the Loudoun Emergency Homeless Shelter. To register to work on any of the following teams, complete the registration form at the end of this description.
Services include a Monday evening meal preparation for the
shelter residents, a Saturday morning pancake breakfast, and
sandwiches for lunch. These services will be provided by teams
working on a rotation basis—approximately once/quarter. We
will also provide simple holiday celebrations. When requested by
a shelter resident, we will provide transportation to church
where parents can worship and children can attend Sunday school
or Youth group.
Supplies are an ongoing need and include basic personal hygiene
items, paper products, baby needs, cleaning supplies, seasonal
OTC medicines, school supplies, and clothing to include new and
gently used underwear, socks, and pajamas for children, women,
and men.
Transition includes providing basic support for families who
leave the shelter and move out into their own housing. This
basic support means providing the essential items that one would
need in setting up a household. This team is responsible for
putting together Move Out—Move On supply kits.
Yes, I would like to work with the Services team.
I would like a leader to call me regarding the Services team.
Yes, I would like to work with the Supplies team.
I would like a leader to call me regarding the Supplies team.
Yes, I would like to work with the Transition team.
I would like a leader to call me regarding the Transition team.
Date Name/s
E-mail address
Phone number