The Missions Department of CCMP supports these programs: INTERFAITH HOMELESS EMERGENCY LODGING PROGRAM (I-HELP) FOR MEN AND WOMEN The I-HELP program offers participants shelter and meals in over two dozen Monterey Peninsula congregations, where "the heart and backbone of our program operation are the hundreds of dedicated volunteers providing compassionate hospitality." Each evening, I-HELP transports homeless people from central pick-up points to a hosting faith community where they spend the night. I-HELP’s ever-growing services also include job placement and housing assistance, clothing, and specialized referrals meeting the individual needs of participants. At CCMP, monthly dinners for the Men are the 2nd Wednesdays and for the Women the 3rd Tuesdays each month. Volunteers bring the entree or side dishes, serve and visit with guests. For more information or to help, please call the church office. The Women’s Association collects warm clothing and toiletries for the Men. Clothing in all sizes is needed. Donations may be dropped off at the church office or at Givingtree Benefit Shop. THE TOWEL TEAM MINISTRY We continue to provide bath towels to those taking showers at Dorothy’s and Sunstreet Center in Salinas. We are in need of hand towels for the Men's and Women’s I-HELP programs. Clean usable towels may be left in the office. Call the church office to connect with the organizers. SUN STREET CENTERS IN SALINAS is a comprehensive, effective service for education, prevention and recovery of alcohol addiction and drug abuse in men. CCMP has provided bedding and toiletries on an ‘as-needed’ basis. We team up with their volunteers for an annual parking fund raiser each August. In the past five years we have donated over $29,500 to this program! FOOD BANK We support St. Mary's Food Pantry, vital to the area's many hungry families. They have an ongoing need for more non-perishable food! Please bring any Sunday and leave in the food basket in the Narthex (inside entrance to the church Sanctuary) . Special thanks to the volunteers who transport the food to Pacific Grove every week. CLOTHING CLOSET AT DOROTHY’S PLACE We collect men's and women's clothing for the shelter, which is sorted every Saturday. Between 9-12 we open the shop and help them select what they need. Call the church office to reach the organizer if you would like to help. WOMEN ALIVE! Women Alive! is a program for homeless women to come to Dorothy’s Place, the shelter in Salinas, for dinner, a shower, and a good night’s sleep in a safe environment. A shed is maintained for the women with bedding, underwear and toiletries. CCMP's volunteers help support the program with festive meal preparation, active involvement in social activities with the women, and gift donations of toiletries, scarves and clothing. Here the emphasis is on recognizing that these women are not forgotten, and that they deserve a little lightheartedness in their lives. This is a lively, happy program that brings joy to givers and receivers alike. GIVINGTREE BENEFIT SHOP is open Wednesday through Saturday from 12-4. Donations may be brought during store hours. In addition to the items sold to raise funds for church programs and more than a dozen local charities, Givingtree volunteers also set aside clothing and toiletries donations for I-HELP participants and the Women Alive! program at Dorothy's Place. Volunteers are needed! Please visit the shop or call 624-3060 for information. |