Starting right here at home, our Mission & Outreach Committee coordinates our many ministries that serve Evanston and the region through collaborations with organizations such as Interfaith Action of Evanston, Connections for the Homeless, Y.O.U., Night Ministry, and 15 social service agencies. Through these partnerships, our programs provide food, shelter, diapers, and holiday gifts for people in need.
Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank
Diapers are as essential to a child’s health and well-being as food and shelter, but one in two families struggles to afford adequate diapers to keep their babies and toddlers clean and dry.
An outreach program of First Church, Bundled Blessings has partnered with local social service agencies since 2013 to distribute diapers to families in need.
Learn About and Support the Diaper Bank
Addressing Hunger
First Friday Lunch Ministry
Our First Friday program feeds lunch to hungry persons in Evanston once a month. On the First Friday of each month volunteers gather at 10:30 a.m. in the First Church kitchen to make lunches and then head over to the First Congregational Church Parish House and serve them. Sign Me Up
Sack Lunch Ministry
Every Sunday our sack lunch ministry volunteers make brown bag lunches that are distributed to the community through Connections for the Homeless. Lunch making during the school year is after 10:30 a.m. worship; during the summer, we make lunches between Worship in the Park and 10:30 a.m. worship. We always can use additional help with shopping, lunch making, and delivery.
Soup Kitchen
First Church is one of the host sites for Interfaith Action of Evanston’s soup kitchen. Each Thursday throughout the year we welcome ~70 neighbors to our dining room for a warm meal and hospitality. Volunteers are critical to providing an inviting evening of nourishment and community engagement. Roles include serving on a cook team (shopping, cooking and serving), once-a-month dining room team (setup, hospitality and cleanup) and providing musical entertainment (optional). To learn more about soup kitchen volunteer opportunities, see details below.
– Cook teams purchase food and milk, prepare and serve dinner, pack takeaway sack lunches for guests and clean the kitchen, including washing any used pots and pans. A volunteer can commit to any or all of those roles in an evening, depending on their availability and abilities. For more information or to volunteer, contact Marianne Griebler (mariannegriebler@gmail.com)
– Dining room teams set tables, make and set up coffee and drinks, count and welcome guests, assist with cleanup and distribute bags, pastries, sack lunches, and information for neighbors. Teams may work in shifts to suit volunteer schedules. For more information or to volunteer, contact Melissa Appelt (mmappelt@gmail.com)
– Additional volunteer opportunities are available, such as providing musical entertainment during dinner. To learn more, contact Jessica Hager (jessica.e.hager@gmail.com).
Offering Shelter
SNAPGap Collection
This Interfaith Action program collects toiletries and other essentials that are not covered by the SNAP program and distributes them to people at the monthly ProduceMobile food distribution event. Several times a year, First Church solicits donations of specific essential items.
Emergency Overnight Shelter
For three weeks during the coldest winter months, First Church serves as an emergency overnight shelter for people experiencing homelessness. In cooperation with six other faith communities, coordinated by Interfaith Action of Evanston, this shelter system offers men and women a warm, safe, and peaceful place to sleep from November through April.
Christmas Giving
Star Tree
The Star Tree program is a collaboration with Y.O.U to ensure Christmas gifts for Evanston children and their families. Our congregation annually purchases and donates gifts for more than 150 children and families.
