Giving Sunday
This season of Advent and Christmas is a time for reflection, gratitude, and giving, and there is no better way to show our love for God and others than by supporting those in need.
We encourage you to consider giving to specific organizations that are making a meaningful impact in our community and around the world. Whether through a financial contribution, donating goods, or volunteering your time, your generosity can help bring joy and hope to many in this season.
Campus Kitchen DC
National UMC’s Campus Kitchen Food Recovery Ministry harnesses volunteer power and unused food from commercial outlets, that otherwise go to waste, to prepare nutritious meals. These meals are then delivered to community partners and church-based feeding ministries. To donate, go to: https://onrealm.org/nationalchurch/-/form/give/donate. Select Campus Kitchen from the Fund drop-down menu or make a check to National United Methodist Church with the memo “Campus Kitchen DC.”
Grate Patrol
National UMC partners with The Salvation Army Grate Patrol ministry, an outreach ministry that distributes 60 – 90 meals each evening to unhoused individuals living on the streets in downtown DC. Volunteer opportunities include riding the Grate Patrol Van to pick up and deliver meals and make sandwiches. To donate go to: https://onrealm.org/nationalchurch/-/form/give/donate and select Grate Patrol from the Fund drop-down menu or make a check to National United Methodist Church with the memo “Grate Patrol.” For more information about Grate Patrol, visit https://nationalchurch.org/online-serving
Friendship Place’s Winter Warmth & Joy Campaign
Friendship Place is a non-profit organization that empowers people experiencing homelessness to attain stable housing and rebuild their lives. Last year, Friendship Place programs ended or prevented homelessness, found employment, and provided life-changing, critical services for over 5,000 people. In this holiday season, Friendship Place asks its congregational partners to support the Winter Warmth and Joy Campaign which enables program participants to shop for winter coats and plan holiday meals to share with their families. Donate to Warmth and Joy 2024. Go to: https://give.friendshipplace.org/give/620759/#!/donation/checkout
The TraRon Center
The TraRon Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit engaged in direct support of victims of gun violence. Founded in 2017 by Rev. Ryane B. Nickens, who lost 3 family members to gun violence, The TraRon Center offers young survivors counseling, creative art therapy, after-school and summer safe space, and a week of summer camp, all while promoting community health, solidarity, and empowerment. To donate to the TraRon Center, go to: https://traroncenter.org/donate/.
KenAid Children’s Fund, Inc.
KenAid Children’s Fund, Inc. is a US 501(c)(3) non-profit raising funds for its partner ministry in Kenya to provide education, food, clean water, and sanitation for impoverished children in the Ugatuzi slums of Mombasa. KenAid initiatives combat illiteracy and exploitation by creating a pathway from elementary to postsecondary and trade education and by empowering students to build a better future for themselves. By focusing on early intervention, KenAid addresses the children’s immediate needs, including hunger and poor sanitation, and provides them with the tools they need to succeed in the long termTo donate directly to KenAid, go to : https://www.kenaid.org/donate.
Project Transformation DC
Project Transformation DC (PTDC) partners with local United Methodist Churches to offer summer camps that improve literacy skills in at-risk children and engage college-age youth in serving as counselors in community service and intentional Christian community. Since its start in 2018, PTDC has helped more than 260 kids, even during the pandemic summers when the camp went virtual. In 2022 alone, ALL the children who participated in the camp maintained or improved their reading scores during camp. To donate directly to PTDC, click here: https://projecttransformation.org/washington-dc/get-involved/donate.
Reconciling Ministries Network
Reconciling Ministries Network is an organization within the United Methodist Church committed to intersectional justice across and beyond the United Methodist Connection. They work for the full participation and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the life and leadership of the church. Since 1984, RMN has worked to transform hearts, churches, and communities through grassroots organizing, resourcing and educating, denomination-level change-making, pastoral care, and working with faithful people to bring about a Reconciled Church. To donate go to: https://rmnetwork.org/donate/.
Washington Interfaith Network
Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) is a broad-based, multi-racial, multi-faith, District-wide citizens’ power organization that trains and develops neighborhood leaders, addresses community issues and holds elected and corporate officials accountable as it works toward a more just community. This year, WIN has led efforts to promote healthier homes and climate justice, public safety and violence prevention, Black homeownership, and affordable housing. Over the years, the organizing work of WIN leaders and allies has led to the direct creation of over 2,800 units of affordable housing and the funding of thousands more, as well as significant investments to help low-income homeowners repair and electrify their homes and to support Black and minority-owned businesses. Donate at https://www.windc.org/donate/
Ward 8 Woods Conservancy
Ward 8 Woods Conservancy is a grassroots nonprofit organization that works to increase the health, beauty, and public enjoyment of urban forests East of the Anacostia River in Washington, DC. Ward 8 Woods engages DC residents as paid staff and as volunteers to restore the woodland ecology, build and maintain trails, and promote healthy and sustainable living. In six years of work, they have removed more than 1.5 million pounds of trash and cut invasive vines from over 7,000 trees. You can make donations at: https://ward8woods.org/donate/
Clothing and Snack Drive (In-kind donations only)
The Community School program at JoAnn Leleck Elementary School in eastern Silver Spring serves 760 children and their families. 95% of Leleck students live in poverty, and over 70% are English-language learners, mostly from Central America. The program needs children’s clothing in all sizes. We are also collecting healthy snack items for teachers to use to supplement the children’s lunches. Please drop off donations in the church office.
New underwear and socks. New or gently used leggings, sweatpants, coats. T shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts are welcome, but no advertising or logos, please. Granola bars, fruit cups, breakfast bars, individual servings of crackers. No nuts, please.
For more information, contact Rev. Janet at jcraswell@nationalchurch.org