Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Supporting programs such as Neighbors Helping Neighbors is supporting our community in more ways than food.  Our focus over the last few years has been meeting the needs of those suffering from food insecurity while sharing the love of Christ.  Other needs do arise and we look at ways we may be helpful as they are brought to us.

The suggestion was made months ago that we provide weekly information on how we address the needs of those that come to our weekly Pantry and the large food distribution on the church campus once a month. Hopefully you have noticed each Sunday how many families we served on the previous Thursday either at the San Antonio Food Bank distribution or the Windcrest UMC Pantry. We also provide a monthly total of the combined efforts of the Pantry and the San Antonio Food Bank event. Watch your Connection and your Sunday bulletin for this information.

We have been able to meet new people through volunteering with groups from the YMCA on Walzem Road, the Windcrest Police Department, Volunteer Buddies through Meet Up and the Windcrest Volunteer group.  We look  forward to working with the Windcrest Fire Dept in the near future as well.  Each person has brought something to the table that has expanded our efforts. And in many cases, that assistance came at just the right time, when we needed it most. And thank you, church for all you do to support Neighbors Helping Neighbors.  We have staff that man the post when we aren't available and provide resource information and Bags of Grace daily to those that call and come into the office needing assistance. We have volunteers that make up our Bags of Grace and our birthday cake gift bags so we can distribute them regularly. You donate food, grocery bags, toiletries and pick up orders at the food bank.  We have a volunteer that repurposes plastic grocery bags by the hundreds and allows us to reuse them every week.

Our Wesley nurse, Daniela works every day with those in need and we are grateful we can assist her efforts by providing needed medications for those without health insurance in most cases.  She spends time interviewing these individuals and determines how they can best be helped.  Daniela also has valuable experience in homeless camps and has worked with the city to determine how we can best address their needs.

This month is a chance for us to focus on the blessings we have received so as to bless others. Your support keeps us focused and committed to reaching out and bringing the church to the community. 

"May the Lord now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this."
2 Samuel 2:6