LOCAL MISSIONS

Olathe Food Pantry
Angel Tree
Via de Esperanza
City Union Mission/Camp CUMCITO

NEW -- The Deacons are collecting winter coats for the Johnson County Christmas Bureau. 
They are in need of childrens, ladies, and mens coats.  Please bring in laundered or new coats to the collection box marked in Fellowship Hall.

NEW -- First Pres adopts Westview Elementary School.  Details

NEW -- Resources for the recently unemployed.  Details

Small Group invites help in supplying hygiene needs for Olathe Food Pantry.  See below.

Olathe Food Pantry The Purpose of the Olathe Food Pantry is to provide aid, encouragement and support to members of the Greater Olathe Community in their times of need and crisis. This short-term aid is primarily for food, personal care items, and occasional emergency assistance. The Goal of the Olathe Food Pantry is to be actively involved in the greater community by meeting the basic needs of people in crisis; to show the Christian Community in action by spreading God’s love and Word. This ministry includes encouraging people to attend their local church, delivering God’s message of salvation, and helping them strengthen their relationship with God.

The Olathe Food Pantry has been housed and administered by First Presbyterian Church of Olathe for over 30 years. A ministry of the Board of Deacons, the all-volunteer staff includes the Food Pantry Coordinator and trained helpers.

How the Food Pantry Meets Needs
The Food Pantry doors are open Monday thru Friday mornings, 9am—Noon. A trained volunteer greets clients as they arrive and asks basic data such as name, address, and the number of people in the household. The client must be a resident of the greater Olathe community, and present a photo ID. Help is available to anyone regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion.

Prepared sacks of grocery staples are then provided based on the number of people in the family, (approximately $20 worth for a family of 4), and the client may gather items such as breads, cakes, and perishables as they are available. Additionally, each family receives a booklet explaining the Gospel.

The Food Pantry receives referrals from local social service agencies and word of mouth. Clients may come to the Food Pantry up to six times per year.

How the Food Pantry is Supported
The Olathe Food Pantry is supported by several churches and organizations in the Olathe area. Support comes in various forms including direct financial giving and donations of food items. "Food Drives" provide much of our supply, and some food is acquired through Harvesters.

Contact the Food Pantry Ministry Team directly at olathefoodpantry@yahoo.com or leave a message at the church office, 913-782-0140.

How You Can Help:
Organize a Food Drive — such as one listed below or something else. The Food Pantry Coordinator has ideas.
Donate food — items always needed include canned fruit, vegetables, soups, and meats/meals; peanut butter; dry cereal, rice and pinto beans.
Donate money — remember, every dollar goes to help those in need
Donate time — we need help sorting, sacking, and distributing food. Training will be provided.

Church "Mountain of Food" Drives
Post Office "Stamp Out Hunger" —- Letter Carriers' Food Drive
City of Olathe Employees' Food Drive
Youth Groups/Sunday School classes collecting door to door
Eagle Scout Project — created flyers, recruited Cub Scouts to help
Girl Scout Unit—"Caroling for Cans" in December
Souper Bowl Parties

WESTVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL We're partnering with Westview Elementary, our neighbor to the north, in meeting some of the needs of families in our neighborhood.  Westview principal John Harriss offers the following opportunities for individual or group participation:     1. Donate school supplies using the district shopping list for each grade.  FPC will have collection boxes as the school year is gearing up.     2. Volunteer as Room Parents (or provide party supplies) for class parties.  Not all parties have room parents who coordinate the classroom parties -- and we can help.  Upcoming opportunites are the Winter Party (Dec 18) and Valentine's Party (Feb 9.)  Nothing elaborate is required.  If interested, contact Westview at 780-7755.     3. Donate new, unwrapped toys, games, and books appropriate for children from birth to early teens (no clothing, please) to the Parents' Christmas Gift Shop.  This is an opportunity for parents to purchase these gifts for their children at a small cost.  The money collected is then used throughout the year to meet emergency needs of the families.  There will be a collection bin every Sunday in November for donated items. There are additional opportunites for those able to make a commitment on a regular basis.  These require application through the district (forms are available on the Missional board in Fellowship Hall).  Contact the district at 780-7002 for more information.  These volunteer opportunities include:     1. Classroom volunteers -- listen to a studen read; do flashcards; spend one-on-one time with a child or group.     2. WatchDOGS -- dads and other men volunteers who can be role models, just making their presence known during the school days in the halls, lunchroom, recess, classrooms; encourage safety at school.     3. Youth Friends --  be assigned to one student for the school year and visit that student at school for an hour one per week.  Be a friend and mentor.  Contact Heather Schoonover at the district office, 780-7002.     4. Seniors Serving Schools -- retired people volunteer their experience/skills in a variety of ways in the schools.

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Angel Tree When mom or dad is in prison, it's the children who do hard time.  Through this ministry, Christmas gifts are purchased for children on behalf of the parent(s) in prison.  This is a blessing to the inmate who is able to connect with his/her child through a Christmas gift, and a blessing to the children who experience the joy of knowing they have not been forgotten.  First Pres has participated in Angel Tree for several years. We need volunteers to:     --Contact families for their children's gift wishes     --Buy and wrap Christmas gifts     --Deliver gifts to children     --Share the Gospel with children Please pray for guidance as to how you can be a servant of God to these children.  Contact Cindy Burrichter or Dave Ellis about how you can help. Want to know more about Angel Tree Ministry and Prison Fellowship?  Click here.

Via de Esperanza Check out the new website for updates with this exciting Hispanic ministry which our church supports.  You can practice your Spanish, or click the English version. www.viadeesperanza.org

City Union Mission Since 1924, City Union Mission in Kansas City has provided warm beds, nutritious food and a place of safety for thousands of poverty stricken and homeless men, women and children.  The Mission depends completely on the gifts of God's people who care about the poor and homeless.  For many years, First Pres has provided funds for the CUM outreach. Camp C.U.M.C.I.T.O. (City Union Mission Camp In The Ozarks) Every summer for about ten years, First Pres has sent a group of volunteers to serve the week of Primary Camp (7-9 year-olds), and Tot Lot (4-6 year-olds) at Camp CUMCITO.  Our volunteers have served positions including Camp Director, Assistant Director, Dishwasher, Counselor, Assistant Counselor, Recreation Director, Lifeguard, Big Sibling, Tot Lot Teacher, Nurse, Craft Director, Craft Assistant, Janitor, Administrative Assistant, Dining Hall Assistant... Talk with any previous volunteers about this wonderful mission experience.  To serve is a commitment that can make an eternal difference in the lives of the campers. Want to know more about Camp CUMCITO? click here Our 2009 volunteers and their positions were: Aaron Weaver - Asstistant Director Barbara Cogswell - Administrative Assistant Brent Wolters - Craft Assistant Brian Belden - Director Cindy Burrichter - Administrative Assistant Corrin Weaver - Recreation Director Dave Ellis - Dining Hall Assistant Dylan Elder - Counselor Elise Hawke - Chapel Staff James Walter - Assistant Counselor Julie Puryear - Staff Director Neil Pfefer - Janitor Patrick Quaife - Counselor Rickie Smith - Videographer Saundra McDaniel - Canteen/Laundry Scott Quaife - Tot Lot Director