Volunteer Alerts
Shalom Zone Event: SAWs Ramp Build ~ As you are likely aware, SAWs stands for Servants At Work and began in 2003 in Indianapolis. SAWs builds ramps at no cost for physically challenged folks who are unable to afford to have the ramps built on their own. The Shalom Zone group of churches has built ramps for SAWS for the past several years. No carpentry experience is necessary. The ramp build is scheduled for Saturday, September 28 beginning about 8 am and ending about noon. If you would like to volunteer for this upcoming SAWS ramp build, please notify Jim D with your name, email and phone number. The precise location of the build will be determined at a later date. The Shalom Zone is in process of gathering a list of folks who want to help so please respond as soon as you are able if you are interested in helping. Thanks for your consideration.
First Friends Meal Ministry Needs Your Support – “The people who give you their food give you their heart.” – Cesar Chavez
The First Friends Meal Ministry has been providing meals for Friends in need for most of our meetings’ history. Members and attenders experiencing new babies, deaths, illnesses, surgeries and other challenging situations have received support in the form of meals from a dedicated group of Friends who understand the blessing that a meal can be during difficult times.
The two of us have been facilitating our Meal Ministry since 2009, and during that time more than 100 families have been served – many more than once – representing hundreds of meals carried to Friends during times of stress.
We’re experiencing a time of great need and diminishing resources. Might you be led to be a part of our team? If you could provide even one or two meals a year, it would be a tremendous help.
What does it involve? The steps are as follows:
You receive an email indicating that there’s a need.
A link takes you to a calendar where you can sign up to contribute a meal.
If you want to volunteer, you input your information and will receive reminder emails.
On the designated day, you deliver a meal to the Friend in need.
“But what if I don’t cook?” You can take KFC, Boston Market or something else, rotisserie chicken and sides from Costco, contribute Door Dash or restaurant gifts cards, or even have a pizza delivered – you don’t have to cook! We always include recipients’ preferences or dietary restrictions, so you’ll have a clear idea of what is welcome.
This is a real, tangible (low pressure) opportunity for you to service if you’ve been looking for one. If you’re not sure, sign up for the email list for a year as a trial and see if it fits into your life at all. We promise you will be blessed and a blessing.
Please contact us if you’d like to be added to the email list or have questions. (contact the office to be put in contact with the Meal Ministry team).
P.S. We also welcome financial donations or disposable containers.
Volunteer with IU Congregation Care Network (CCN) ~ First Friends is excited to partner with the IU Congregational Care Network. This program (which a number of churches in the area participate in) will partner care connectors from First Friends with IU patients with a chronic illness that would benefit from a community support. This support involves a weekly phone call to the patient for a number of months. IU Health will identify the patients and refer them to us to provide support. IU Health will train our care connectors on best practices for this support.
The connectors will document patient phone calls, spend 1 hour a week talking with a patient, listen to patient needs and concerns, connect patients to community resources and networks, help patients navigate systems and communicate patient concerns to our Lead Connector.
Would you be interested in participating in this ministry? Please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org you are interested in serving for 6 months or have questions.
Mid-North Food Pantry: First Friends folks are still assisting at the Mid North Food Pantry on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. Just as most people need grocery stores to remain open, so too does a segment of our community need food pantries to remain open. And volunteers are needed to run the pantries. The Mid North Food Pantry has made a number of changes in its operations to protect its volunteers. For instance, as of now, the pantry has volunteers fill bags of food inside the pantry building and they are then taken outside and provided to those who come to the pantry for food. No pantry customers are currently allowed inside the pantry. There is a conscious effort to keep customers at an acceptable distance from volunteers and from touching items that the volunteers may touch. We will keep the First Friends pantry volunteers up to speed on any future changes to the pantry routine. Thanks to our dedicated group of pantry volunteers.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana is seeking volunteer Bigs. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and they can be matched with children from 8 to 18. Currently, 1,285 matches are being served in our area (Marion, Hamilton, and Johnson Counties). But, over a thousand boys & girls are still on the BBBS match waitlist. Please let the office know if you or another are interested in becoming a Big.
What You Can Do to Stay Connected at a Distance: Second Helpings ~ Second Helpings is desperately in need of financial support as they face the front lines of food scarcity in our local communities. They are working closely with local government and an enormous network of agencies to bring nutritious meals to vulnerable Hoosiers. The demand for Second Helpings meals will continue to go up as many seniors and families living with limited resources either cannot stock their own shelves or are living in shelters for domestic violence, human trafficking and homelessness. Continued financial support during these uncertain times will ensure that Second Helpings can continue to share meals with our neighbors in need. https://www.secondhelpings.org/donate/
Things are changing so quickly right now, for all of us. Second Helpings CEO, Jennifer Vigran, is keeping the community updated through regularly blogging on our website. Read and share to hear how Second Helpings and others are responding to current events Please visit: https://www.secondhelpings.org/news/. Follow their social media to ensure you don’t miss our current blog posts.
Easterseals Crossroads has been helping individuals with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives for 80 years. Whether helping someone improve physical mobility, return to work or simply gain greater independence for everyday living, Easterseals Crossroads offers a variety of services to help people with disabilities address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals. We provide top-quality, family-focused and innovative services tailored to meet the specific needs of the individuals we serve. View volunteer opportunities here.
Harbor Light Hospice operates under a philosophy of care that provides support to patients with life-limiting illness and their loved ones during end-of-life. Harbor Light Hospice promotes dignity and emphasizes quality of life for those who choose to die in a familiar setting, surrounded by those they love. They are looking for companions for terminally ill patients. If you’d like to volunteer your time, click here for more information.