Background and Need Served:

Although it may not be obvious, many of our neighbors in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County are living below the poverty level and are in need of assistance, especially at the Holidays.  In 2003, 9 percent of people living in Ann Arbor were in poverty. Ten percent of children under 18 and 6 percent of seniors (65 years or older) live below the poverty level.  Six percent of all families and 26 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.  The numbers are even higher for Washtenaw County as a whole.

During these challenging times, we’re finding that even more people need our assistance. Increases in unemployment, as well as utility and energy costs, have left many local families, seniors and disabled individuals unable to afford the basics, much less the extras to celebrate the holiday season. 

Outreach Project Purpose:

The ministry focus of this project is to join with God in service to the local poor, by providing gifts and necessities to local children and their families who are homeless or living in low income housing complexes.  Drawing on the passion, energy and generosity of the FUMC congregation, the ongoing objectives are to partner with key community service programs to provide gifts of toys, educational materials, clothing, household goods, food and other necessities to help them celebrate the joy of Christ during the holiday season.:

Accomplishment to Date:

Over the past years, FUMC has given gifts of toys, clothing, household goods, and gift cards for food to a number of local holiday giving programs such as the Michigan Department of Human Service Community Giving Program, the Washtenaw County Department of Human Services Adopt-a-Family Program, the Washtenaw County Jail ‘Kids-Need-Moms” program (discontinued in 2005), the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program, and the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County.  

In 2006, FUMC generously fulfilled the needs that were on over 250 gift tags on our Giving Tree, providing:

• Over 200 children in need with holiday gifts through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program;
• 2 disabled persons, and 2 families in need with food, clothing and household goods through the Washtenaw County Department of Human Service Community Giving Program, and
• Needed supplies and a donation of $500 to support the holiday operation of the Shelter Association’s Warming Center for the local homeless.

Looking forward, we plan to continue to identify community programs, on an annual basis, that FUMC can partner with to help serve the neediest in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County at the Holiday season. 

2007 Project Goals:  (Nov/Dec 2007)

For 2007, the following partnerships have been selected:

• Working with the Community Action Network, provide Christmas gifts and necessities for the 23 families (~50 children, 30 adults) living in the Green Baxter low income housing complex.
• Working with the IHN/Alpha House, provide Christmas gifts and necessities for the 6 families currently in residence at Alpha House (~17 people).

2008+ Project Goals:

• Similar to 2007 goals
• Community service programs for possible partnering will be reviewed annually to select appropriate avenues for serving the local children, seniors, disabled and homeless in need. 

Current Team Members:

• Bob Simmons, leader
• Pat Simmons, Co-Leader

• Cynthia Lee
• Betty Leach

Estimated Project Costs/Resources Required

(Activity, Funds Required)

• Gift cards for food for holiday meals, $1500 - 2000
• Wrapping paper/cards, $75
• Gifts for children/families, Donations

Proposed Source of Resources/Funds

(Activity, Goal, Projected Timing)

• Appeal to congregation for gifts, ~150 gifts, needed Nov 11 – Dec 10
• Appeal to congregation for financial donations, ~$2000, needed Nov 11 - Dec 10

Volunteer Needs:

(Task, # Volunteers, When, How Long)

• Gift tags preparation, 1 volunteer, early Nov., 4-6 hrs
• Gathering/storing/sorting of donations, 2 volunteers, Nov 2- Dec 15, 1 hr/week
• Purchasing gift cards and delivering gifts and cards to CAN & Alpha House for distribution, 2 volunteers, Mid-Dec                    

Date Completed: October 17, 2007
By: Pat Simmons  (761-5282)  pbsimmons@comcast.net