Looking for a way to get involved in the mission and ministry of Jesus and North Church? We encourage you to donate by clicking on the “Donate” button below. Please also join us in the service opportunities below.

The Fish Banks are coming! The Fish Banks are coming!

On Sunday, March 4, we will kick-off our annual One Great Hour of Sharing special offering. We begin by distributing “Fish Banks” to the children in the congregation and then we help to fill these banks with coins. Please bring your loose change to the 10:15 a.m. worship service and show the children how easy it is to fill their banks. It proves the point, “If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot!”

Care Cases of WNY

Whoever welcomes a child in my name, welcomes me—Mark 9:37
Imagine you are a child who has to suddenly leave your home and family with only what you are wearing and a few personal items stuffed into a trash bag. Unfortunately this happens to many children entering foster care. In some instances, children are picked up at school and can’t even return home to collect personal items. There are currently more than 1,000 children in foster care in Erie County. They shouldn’t need to keep everything they own in a garbage bag.

The mission of Care Cases of WNY is to provide comfort, hope, and dignity to local children placed into foster homes by providing each child with a “Care Case.” These duffel bags and small suitcases are filled with new/unused comfort and care items that are customized for boys and girls in varying age groups. Cases are filled with personal care items, books, a comfy blanket, and other items. Each case includes a tag that states, “You matter.” Social workers distribute the cases through local foster care agencies. Collection begins today.

During the season of Lent, our congregation will be collecting items to complete Care Cases for local children. There are several ways that you can help. You may wish to donate a duffel bag or perhaps some items needed to stock a Care Case. Or, if you are able, you and your family may wish to complete an entire Care Case (it is estimated that it costs approximately $50 to assemble each Care Case). Monetary contributions are also greatly appreciated. The items needed to complete a care case are:

• A duffle bag or small suitcase
• Fleece blanket (60″ x 80″)
• Stuffed animal (approximately14-16″ tall)
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Body wash or soap
• Body lotion
• Deodorant
• Coloring book and crayons
• Books (toddler through teens)
• Journals, pens, pencils

There will be a table in the narthex each Sunday during Lent where you can donate items or make a monetary contribution to this project. Checks may be made out to NPC with Care Cases of WNY on the memo line. Thank you in advance for your generosity in helping these children who live in our community.

 Help Us Make Blankets! 
Our Care Cases for foster children need fleece blankets. On Sunday, March 18, after the second service, we will be making these blankets in Westminster Hall. Come and join us as we cut and tie the edges of the fleece to make cuddly blankets for these children who need comfort and warmth. If you can’t join us, consider a donation so that we can purchase the fleece for the blankets. Thank you for all you are doing for these children who are experiencing difficult times in their lives.

Please Help Stock our Shelves

The Family Justice Center’s pantry shelves are getting empty. The following items are needed for our clients who need food for their families.

• Pasta Sauce
• Noodles
• Rice
• Vegetables – corn and green beans
• Canned fruit
• Pork and Beans
• Granola Bars and other snacks

Please leave your contributions in the box labeled FJC. Thank you for your assistance and ongoing commitment to the Family Justice Center.

UPC Food Pantry Needs Donations

The food pantry at University Presbyterian Church is in need of kidney beans, pork and beans, cereal, and soups. “Standard” sizes are preferred; most households served by the food pantry consist of one to three people. If you have extra 2018 calendars you would like to donate, those will be distributed as well. Contributions from North are greatly appreciated!

Friends of Night People

We serve a meal at Friends of Night People at 394 Hudson St., Buffalo, the fourth Tuesday of every month. At 8:00 a.m. that day, volunteers prepare the meal in the kitchen at North Church. If you can help one time or regularly, please contact Ann Eisenlord at 716-632-7487 or anneisenlord@roadrunner.com. That evening from about 4:30-7:00, volunteers help serve the meal. If you would like to help serve, contact Barb Beall at beaschwa87@yahoo.com or call 716-479-5794.

Dress-A-Girl

We gather to make simple dresses (for girls), shorts (for boys), and dolls, all of which are sent to children in need. New volunteers (of ANY skill level–even complete beginners!) are always welcome; we meet the fourth Monday of each month from 4-8pm. Stay for the whole time or for as long as you can. Please bring a salad ingredient for our build-a-salad supper. Dessert and beverages will be provided. There are no meetings in July and August. Learn more about Dress-A-Girl.  

Harvest House Needs Clothes

An Opportunity for Families with Children Infants to Size 14

Harvest House Baby and Children’s Ministry needs clean clothing is for newborn to size 14. Please put items in the box in north wing. Thanks for helping children in need. This gives hope to those parents trying to provide for their children.

Food Bank Donations

Please remember to contribute to the Food Bank collection box in the narthex. The bulk of these donations go to University Presbyterian Food Pantry, an agency of The Food Bank of Western New York. From the donations, we are also able to provide staples to those who stop at the church office looking for help. The need is great and does not end when a specific food drive ends. If we could all try to bring just one item when we come to church, it would make a significant difference in the lives of those in need.

Directory of Donation Sites

A directory has been prepared to help you with the daunting task of de-cluttering. We all have more stuff than we need, but if you throw it away, it will sit in landfill for years. There are many agencies that welcome your unwanted, used items. They are detailed in this directory with contact information and lists of acceptable donations. Reusing and recycling may be a bit more work than tossing things, but it will benefit others in our community and be better for the environment. Please have a look at the document posted here: Directory of Donation Sites. You can pick up a print copy of the directory from the Mission Kiosk in Westminster Hall.