Story by Sylvia Urutia
Looking for a way to help those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? Adventist Community Services leaders encourage members to participate in their local church Christmas outreach programs. If your church doesn’t have a program, why not pioneer one? Here are some ideas:
- Adopt a community family by providing a holiday meal and gifts.
- Distribute holiday meal baskets for those in need.
- Gather warm coats, and donate them to your local community center for distribution.
- Create and share holiday programs with residents at local nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
- Assemble and distribute personal care packages for people experiencing homelessness.
- Utilize church facilities for temporary homeless shelters during the winter months.
- Operate a free hot lunch program in the community.
- Make and distribute blankets and/or quilts to local hospitals, nursing homes or hospice residents.
- Donate through ADRA’s Gift Catalog.
- Fill shoeboxes with items for kids around the world through Compassion International’s Operation Christmas Child, like members (pictured) from Chesapeake Conference’s Iglesia Adventista Hispana Laurel (Md.).