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As we enter the season of stewardship and thanksgiving, I'd like tell you about the many ways that LFPC is helping in the Arlington community this fall for those in need. As your heart calls, please consider getting involved in one of the many ways to give your time or donations. With the current economy, the need for food, shelter, and support to our community is greater than ever.

Here is what we are doing this fall and how you help:

Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC): There is a plastic bin in the narthex to collect non-perishable food (cereal, peanut butter, jelly, cookies, canned goods…) for a monthly delivery to AFAC. You can bring food any Sunday, but historically most collections were the “first Sunday of every month” since the food is delivered during the first week of the month. More families are in need than ever before.
Bill and Marty Wildhack make these monthly deliveries. They are looking for someone (or a group of volunteers to share the responsibility) to replace them in delivering the food to AFAC monthly. If you are interested or would like more information, please talk with Bill Wildhack or Patti Yoder.

Meals on Wheels: Tom and Minnie Sue Ripy coordinate a faithful group of volunteers who deliver meals the first and third Tuesdays and Fridays each month.  They off-load the meals to be delivered, deliver the meals, then return the containers that carried the meals. While they have a regular group of volunteers, they could always use people to be available as back ups. If you are interested, please talk with Tom or Minnie Sue.

Homeless Bagged Meals: Melissa Stricker and Val Kuehn coordinate a group of volunteers who meet at the church on the first, third and fifth Monday of each month at 4:00 p.m. After the 70 bagged meals are made by volunteers, other volunteers deliver the prepared meals to A-SPAN sites where meals are distributed in Ballston and Rosslyn. As for volunteers needed, in general, there is a consistent group of volunteers to make bagged meals. However, they also are always interested in recruiting new volunteers. Since only a specific number of people are needed each week, please contact Melissa or Val so they can coordinate people as needed each week.

Shelter Dinners for Homeless: Steve Maher leads this outreach. Steve and team provide meals to an emergency winter shelter for the homeless from November through March. Steve is currently assessing the number of times monthly (once or twice) and the night of the week for this year’s schedule. Last year, dinners were served monthly on Friday evenings. Preparation usually starts at 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. to allow for the delivery at the shelter (Courthouse area) around 6:00 p.m. Meals are prepared at the church then delivered and served at the shelter. Volunteers are needed for both preparation/clean up and serving. Volunteers can contact Steve Maher. He communicates the times and needs to the volunteer group through email.

Collection of Sheets/Blankets for Homeless Shelter: We are collecting donations for A-SPAN for their emergency winter shelter in Arlington which provides shelter for 70 people per night. We are collecting: 1) gently used or new twin sheets and blankets and 2) personalized toiletries from your trips or hotel stays (small soaps, shampoos, etc). We have a bin in the narthex for these collections.

Sponsor Several Arlington families for Thanksgiving meal: “Share our Blessing” outreach: Frank Wilton is coordinating a new effort this year for LFPC to support 4 or 5 Arlington families for food for Thanksgiving. We'll need volunteers to donate food or money, organize the collections, and deliver the food to the families the weekend before Thanksgiving.  We will post a sign-up sheet in the Narthex or you can contact Frank Wilton directly.

Turkey Trot: Christ Church of Arlington (CCA) will be hosting the 4th annual Arlington Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2009.  The 5K fun run/walk will provide an opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy a fun, healthy holiday activity together, and all proceeds from the race will benefit three local organizations:  the Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless (AACH), Doorways for Women & Families and the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC).  Last year’s race involved over 1,500 participants and generated over $23,000.
Registration information can be found on the Christ Church of Arlington website, www.ccapca.org.
Volunteers are needed! There is plenty to do in the days before this event, including stuffing registration packets on November 23 and assistance with early registration at Pacers on November 24 and 25.  They need volunteers on race day in the following areas:  registration, course marshals, and assistance at the finish line.  Those interested in helping by giving an hour or two of your time, can contact the Volunteer Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Other Outreach Programs we sponsor:
LFPC provides financial support to these organizations as well. Please contact Patti Yoder if you'd like to get involved with any of these organizations to partner with them. Often times they need support beyond just financial, so we are talking with them to determine their needs.
· Arlington Interfaith Council
· Good News Jail & Prison Ministries
· AMF/Camp Dynamite
· Doorways for Women and Children
· Offender Aid & Restoration (OAR)

Thank you. We'll keep you posted on Rebuilding Together and Shred for Bread in the spring. Please contact me if you have any questions or ideas.
Patti Yoder