First United Presbyterian Church of Bellefontaine, Ohio
Since Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005, First UPC has sent adult mission teams five times to work with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in the recovery effort in Mississippi and Louisiana.
In 2012 we sent a team to northern Alabama to help those devastated by tornados, and to Haiti to help with recovery from the tremendous earthquake.
Our congregation has also supported medical mission teams to Haiti in 2012 and 2013 with volunteers and medical supplies. We are committed to sponsoring and supporting adult mission teams as they feel called to relieve suffering near and far.
Back to School "Sharing Tree" is an annual mission project that provides the entire congregation an opportunity to assist struggling Bellefontaine families by adopting a child to supply with a back pack filled with school supplies, or to provide funding for a new pair of shoes.
The "Christmas Sharing" project has evolved over the years from a Christmas party for children to an effort to supplement food supplies for entire families and elderly individuals in need.
Working with Lutheran Community Services, we give each household a food basket with enough food for a week based on the size of the family. Some special treats are included. Each child receives a wrapped gift based on their wish list and older adults receive a personal care basket.
FAITH ENDURES
Romans 5:5 “Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our heartsâ€
At home and aboard, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance helps strengthens the faith community and enables those affected by natural or human-caused disasters to be part of the rebuilding and recovery efforts in their communities.
Life-changing grassroots programs like Huerto de la Familia (The Family Garden) are supported by the Presbyterian Hunger Program. Huerto de la Familia strives to cultivate community integration and economic self-sufficiency through training in organic farming and the development of food-based small businesses.
Self-Development of People, through your generous gifts, provides grants to organizations like A Community Voice in New Orleans, a neighborhood group which assists low-to-moderate-income families in applying for jobs, housing, and food assistance.
The last Tuesday of each month is Dinner at the Pres, where volunteers from the congregation of First UPC prepare and serve a free dinner to 100 to 150 people from our community.
Volunteer opportunities include preparing food at home, cooking at the church, serving dinner and clean-up. New volunteers are always welcome.
In addition to our monthly meal, through our 2¢ A Meal program, we provide financial resources to Our Daily Bread, the free meal provided through Lutheran Social Services.