Connect UMC and our Missions team is partnering with Lazarus Community to help lift-up those experiencing homelessness. Every quarter, Connect will prepare and serve a meal (to approximately 30 - 40 individuals) plus assist at the facility for the afternoon. This may include helping others select clothing from the facility clothing bank, or directing to the shower ministry (3:00pm – 5:00pm.) You can volunteer to serve the entire afternoon, or as little as one hour.
We also host one of the facility rooms/apartments to house a family who is transitioning from homelessness to independent living. This includes a monthly support payment (to cover costs of room, utilities, food) as well as providing furnishings and other assistance. You may want to donate items or contribute financially.
Additionally Lazarus will advise needs for the homeless community, such as clothing, essentials bag items, or shelter items (such as tents or sleeping bags) that we will note on quarterly assistance day list.
We ask to you to prayerfully consider how your family might interact/support this as part of our ongoing pledge to “Connect to God / Connect to Others”.
Missions Project - Lazarus Community giving link here
MEAL SERVICE & FACILITY ASSISTANCE DAYS (UPCOMING)
2024
NOVEMBER 17, 2024 - MEAL SERVICE 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (on site time)
- Connect will provide a pre-thanksgiving dinner as our meal service for approximately 60 servings at the facility.
- Bring cooked food items with you to worship on Nov 17th or to church no later than 2:00pm. Carpool leaves for facility at 2:15pm
- We need the following food items donated in order to prepare the meal. You do NOT have to commit to the entire amount requested. Just advise what you will be providing (i.e.: 1 turkey, 1 tray side dish). Sign-up sheets will be available at Connect.
- PRELIMINARY MENU
- 3 Cooked turkeys (15-20 lbs each)
- Cornbread stuffing (2 large aluminum pan size)
- Mashed potatoes (2 large aluminum pan size)
- Green beans (2 large aluminum pan size)
- Garden salad (1 large aluminum pan size)
- Ranch Dressing / Italian Dressing (1 large bottle each)
- Turkey gravy (6 quarts)
- Dinner rolls – precooked (8 dozen)
- Butter or margarine (2 large tubs)
- Pumpkin or Fruit Pies (6 large pies)
- 3 tubs Cool Whip or 3 large cans Whipped Topping
- 4 gallons unsweet tea – premade
- 2 gallons Lemonade – premade
- Single serve bottled water (1 case)Connect will provide a thanksgiving dinner as our meal service for approximately 60 servings at the facility. We need the following food items donated in order to prepare the meal. You do NOT have to commit to the entire amount requested. Just advise what you will be providing (i.e.: 1 turkey, 1 tray side dish)
- 4-5 volunteers needed to serve meal.
Lazarus also needs the following items to donate to homeless individuals:
- Men’s NEW underclothing items (all sizes)
- Underwear / underpants
- Undershirts (t-shirts)
- Crew Socks (thick/warm helpful)
- Men’s Hygiene kit items (travel size best)
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Deodorant (stick best)
- Hair comb
- Nail clippers
- Band-Aids & anti-biotic wipes/cream
- Washcloth
- Body soap
- Shampoo
- Hand Sanitizer
- Lip balm / chap stick
(Collecting items for Men only. No women/child items needed)
A donation drop-off area will be available at Connect UMC church. Please have at church no later than Sunday November 17th . If you are able to donate any of these items, or wish to financially help, please email Pastor Adam Ricks. Adam’s email: adam@connectumc.org
Missions Project - Lazarus Community giving link here
COMPLETED EVENTS:
2024
SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 - MEAL SERVICE 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (on site time)
- We provided a taco dinner this month and served approximately 30 individuals.
- We also collected new or gently used tents and sleeping bags help stock Lazarus House open closet to have available as winter approaches.
- Thank you to all who donated food and winter shelter items as well as those who gave their time to go to the facility and serve that day.
APRIL 28, 2024 - MEAL SERVICE 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (on site time)
- Connect provided a Ham dinner with all the sides as our April meal service for approximately 30-40 people at the facility.
- Adult clothing & shoe drive donations were also delivered.
- Thank you to all who donated food menu items, clothing, and/or served meals
JANUARY 21, 2024 - MEAL SERVICE 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (on site time)
- We provided a "Soups & Chili" meal this month. Thank you to all who donated food and time to this event. We served meals to approximately 30 people and clothing/supply assistant to many more.
2023
SEPTEMBER 24TH - MEAL SERVICE & CLOTHING DRIVE 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM (on site times)
- We provided a taco dinner this month and served approximately 40 individuals.
- We also collected new or gently used adult clothing, coats, & shoes for help stock Lazarus House open closet to have available as winter approaches.
- Thank you to all who donated food and clothing as well as those who gave their time to go to the facility and serve that day.
JUNE 25TH - MEAL SERVICE & FACILITY ASSISTANCE DAY
We completed our very first service day on June 25th. This is part of our mission in reaching out to our community. Thank you to all who donated food, time, and money to our first event. It was a big success.
If you are able to donate any of the furnishing, or wish to financially help or assist with our meal-service days, please contact Pastor Adam Ricks by email, or talk to any of our Mission Team Leaders. Please not drop items off at Lazarus House unless first coordinated with Connect UMC. Pastor Adam’s email: adam@connectumc.org
Checks should be made out and delivered to Connect UMC with note “Lazarus Community Mission” donation in memo portion of your check. We also have an online giving option available. You can setup for a one time or reoccurring donation through our websites online "Giving" link. (Link below). Select "Missions Project - Lazarus Community" for donations specifically for this project.
Missions Project - Lazarus Community giving link here
Thank you!
