Reaching Out
Together in faith we serve, sharing God’s compassionate love for all people and all of creation. Get involved and help make an impact for good in our community and world. On-going opportunities are listed below.
Volunteer Opportunity at The People Concern
As part of Missions Council’s May Month of Service, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Martha Ross, Janet Searfoss, and Linda Diane Anderson volunteered at The People Concern in Santa Monica, making sack lunches for persons seeking TPC’s services. It was a fun and spirited morning of teamwork, laughter, and mission. The People Concern is seeking to augment its roster of regular weekend volunteers who make sandwiches and assemble sack lunches. The shift is 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., but often ends earlier. The goal is to create a team of volunteers to fill a monthly weekend schedule. Volunteers do not have to work every Saturday or Sunday but are asked to commit to a regular shift each month. If you want to help, please e-mail Kristen McDermott at volunteer@thepeopleconcern.org.
Harvest Home: At their new Pico Home, Harvest Home hosts Donation Days on Saturdays. A group of 5 but no more than 10 is ideal between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to help collect, sort, and fold items donated that day or during the week. There are tasks for all ages. Reach out to Tricia Guerrero if you (and/or your group) have interest in participating in a volunteer day.
Westside Food Bank: Food sorting days at their new facility. Schedule a day to volunteer with Allison Griffith at allison@westsidefoodbankca.org
…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’
– Matthew 25:35-40
‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’
Examples of First UMC Community Outreach:
MAY MONTH OF SERVICE
The People Concern on Saturday, May 6, 2023: From team leader Linda Diane Anderson: “We joined seasoned volunteers (brothers Travis and Badger) to make sandwiches and assemble sack lunches to distribute to The People Concern’s homeless clients. With great teamwork, we accomplished so much in a short time!”
Westside Food Bank sorting on Saturday, May 20: From team leader Leigh Erlandson: “We had a good turnout and a wonderful afternoon together being of service at WSFB,…grateful for the opportunity to be of service.”
Home Run for Kids, Sunday, May 21 From team leader Tricia Guerrero: Team First UMC Santa Monica raised
over $3,000 at Home Run for Kids! We had a spirited team of 24 children, youth and adults, and an additional 28 donors supporting us!
Harvest Home, Saturday, May 27: Volunteers Laura Farrand, Linda Diane Anderson, Dorothy Nicols (behind clothing item), and Jocelyn Hicks-Garner (taking the photo), hard at work sorting and folding donations with Harvest Home last Saturday, ending our May Month of Service opportunities.
We thank all of our volunteers who showed up and made a difference in the month of May! 
