St. Margaret's Community Outreach
Vision:
One thing is quite clear in the Gospel: The "First and great commandment" is immediately aborted when we fail to keep the Second. And the Second has no life or strength in it unless it flows from the First.
And that is what Outreach is all about. It lies at the very heart of what this church (and any church worthy of the name) is all about. Our identification with and our response to the poor, the needy, the disenfranchised, the broken, and the homeless are part and parcel of our response to the very Lord who gives us being.
So seriously do we take this commission that St. Margaret's has a full-time Lay Minister for Outreach. So much a part of our life is it that over the past twelve years, we have spent far more on others than we have spent on ourselves. It is one reason we don't have huge buildings and state-of-the-art facilities. Praise be to God, we are like the mother who wears the same old dress, the same old shoes, so that her little ones will never be without.
Program:
A ministry of
support and assistance to the poor, the disadvantaged, disenfranchised, and
disabled of our community without regard for race,
gender, color, creed, or national origin. St. Margaret’s Community
Outreach began August 1991 under the leadership of
Father James Callahan and
Outreach Director Barry Staples. Interns and volunteers work long hours so that
contributions go directly to the programs and services. In 1995, the program earned
the recognition and designation of
Homework Helper
Started in January 1992, this free after-school program helps children master grade-level material through tutorials. Volunteers include church members, community members, and university students. The program provides after-school snacks, mentoring, field trips, community programs, games, and additional learning resource materials.
Paper Pantry
Addresses the personal hygiene needs of the poor or disabled by providing essential items that can not be purchased with food stamps. Volunteers deliver the Paper Pantry packages to low-income mothers with newborn babies at a local hospital. Items are also available at the Gable House. Items provided include diapers, toilet paper, rash ointment, sleeper tops, facial tissue, baby wipes, deodorant, baby rattles, sanitary napkins, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, paper towels, baby bottles, Q-tips, Golden books.
Families in Crisis
A comprehensive, long-term commitment to families in dire need, usually mothers and children. This program provides care for the family through the crisis or homelessness all the way to stabilization.
General Assistance
Prison ministries (assistance to prisoners’ families), housing and emergency shelter, assistance with utilities, food, clothing, health care/medication, transportation/gasoline, and counseling as well as other general assistance as needed/requested for those suffering poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, or other personal crises.
