Serving Others Updates
The Situation: Multiple wildfires have broken out across Los Angeles County in California, with tens of thousands of people under evacuation orders. Sparked by dry conditions, strong winds and a limited water supply, these fires have destroyed homes and businesses and have led to injuries and loss of life.
Our Response: Lutheran Disaster Response is coordinating with the Southwest California Synod, Pacifica Synod and other partners to assess the needs of people impacted by the wildfires. We will work with them to provide for immediate needs and recovery amid the widespread destruction.
What you can do:
Pray:
Please pray for communities in California impacted by the wildfires. May God's healing presence bring them peace and hope in their time of need and give strength to those working diligently to contain the fires and care for affected communities.
Give:
Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response equip us to respond to communities affected by wildfires and related disasters. These gifts also empower us to respond to disasters whenever and wherever they strike. Gifts to "U.S. Wildfires" will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by wildfires until the response is complete.
To give by phone, call 800-638-3522. Checks or money orders can be mailed to:
Lutheran Disaster Response, P.O. Box 1809, Merrifield, VA 22116-8009;
You may also write a check to Emmanuel Lutheran Church and write “California wildfires” in the memo.
CAN YOU HELP? Grace Place students receive breakfast and snacks on a daily basis! We need volunteers to help with prepping, packaging and organizing snacks for the week! If you can help weekly, that would be great! Monday or Tuesday
8 AM - 10:30 AM
OR
1 PM - 2 PM
Click on either shift to sign up: Morning Shift or Afternoon Shift
JOIN ST MATTHEW’S AS A VOLUNTEER FOR THE NAPLESS AUTOMOTIVE EXPERIENCE! We’re excited to invite you to sign up for volunteer opportunities during the Naples Automotive Experience (NAE), including the spectacular Cars on 5th event. Log into your VolunteerHub account to secure your spot, or contact a member of our Volunteer Engagement Team for assistance!
Where is help most needed?
We need over 500 volunteers for this incredible one-day event!
📅 Date: Saturday, February 8
📍 Location: Various spots on and around 5th Avenue South, Naples
Volunteer Shifts
7:30 AM – 1:00 PM: 1st Shift Zone Leaders
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM: 1st Shift Admissions and Entry Attendants
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM: 2nd Shift (All Positions)
Volunteer Positions
Zone Leader: Oversees their assigned area, takes attendance, manages their zone, and assists in other roles as needed. Must be able to process credit card payments.
Admissions Attendant: Handles cash and credit card payments and provides wristbands to guests.
Entry Attendant: Guards entrances, ensures only wristbanded guests enter, and directs others to wristband purchase locations.
For questions or assistance, please contact Michelle Mendoza at mmendoza@stmatthewshouse.org. We look forward to serving alongside you!
St. Matthew's House 12-month outcome stats for 2024 (1.1.24 thru 12.31.24)
Number of meals served (including grocery bags distributed) 2,356,242
Number of participants in workforce development. 140 participants
Number of shelter residents (including number of seniors (55+) & children). 1,541 (Seniors: 400; Children: 171)
Number of people in our addiction recovery programs. Recovery Program participants: 288
CASSEROLES FOR ST MATTHEW’S HOUSE:
Our Serving Others Ministry Team provides casseroles prepared by Church members to the St. Matthew’s House Shelter for the benefit of those sheltered. Please consider helping this outreach program as the need is huge!
You may pick up casserole pans, lids (and recipes if needed) and bring back a prepared casseroles to store in the stand - alone freezer in the kitchen. This outreach is still much needed and greatly appreciated by all of those housed in the shelter.
Please consider picking up a casserole container, or two, preparing one of the easy casserole dishes, and delivering the cooked casserole back to the Church. Our goal is to prepare 50 casseroles per month. Thank you!