Outreach at St. Matthew’s
At St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, we aim to serve Christ by offering our assistance to all persons in need both locally and globally through volunteer work and financial aid. We support a wide range of programs, all of which strive to improve the conditions of those suffering. By reaching out we do God's will by working to create a better place to live for those who are less fortunate. We invite our parishioners to join in these efforts by donating their time, talent, and energies and we are always open to suggestions on how to best help others. Our congregation is currently active in various outreach programs, paying specific attention to the following:
"Food for Friends" Barrel: Dry pantry items can be donated to the Food Pantry at St. Paul's in Paterson, NJ. The Food Pantry is the second largest in Passaic County, providing emergency food support to those in need. Contents are delivered monthly, including turkeys which can be donated to families in need at Thanksgiving. The food barrel can be found in the narthex. http://www.stpaulscdcnj.org
UTO: The United Thank Offering addresses compelling human need through grants to projects that alleviate poverty, both domestically and internationally, within the Anglican provinces, dioceses, and companion dioceses. At St. Matthew's, the United Thank Offering ingathering is taken twice yearly. http://www.episcopalchurch.org/uto
Blanket Sunday: On Blanket Sunday, parishioners contribute $5.00 to purchase new blankets through the Church World Service, who distributes them to those in need, locally and globally. http://www.churchworldservice.org
Holley Center: Halloween and Christmas goodie bags and Easter treats are generously donated by a friend of the St. Matthew's Family and supplemented with donations from the congregation. Hats, mittens, scarves and toys are donated and delivered to the Holley Center for Children located in Hackensack, NJ. The Holley Center provides housing and counseling for 48 children, ages 6 through 12. http://www.ycs.org
Mitten Tree: Every December, our small Christmas Tree is adorned with hats, mittens and scarves by the parishioners, the Womens' Club of Paramus and the Koenig Family. Items from the Mitten Tree are distributed to North Porch, the Holley Center and St's Paul's Shelter. Look for the tree in the rear of the church.
St. Paul's Church: We continue our commitment to support St. Paul's Church in Paterson, NJ where emergency shelter, clothing, and food are provided to as many as 50 homeless men a night. Six times a year, we prepare and serve a complete hot meal to the homeless men who sleep at St. Paul's' Shelter. Parishioners generously donate food (including turkeys and hams) and dessert. We are thankful to our faithful meal planners, cooks and servers. This program is a huge success and we could not do it without you! http://www.stpaulscdcnj.org
Seamen's Church Institute: The Seamen's Church Institute cares for the personal, professional, and spiritual needs of mariners around the world. It was founded in 1834 and it is the largest mariner's service agency in North America. Leave your donations in the basket in the narthex and they will be delivered to the seafarers. We are currently collecting; toiletries pens/paper, calendars, magazines, and playing cards. http://www.seamenschurch.org/
Bergen County Animal Shelter: The Sunday School and SMYO (St. Matthew's Youth Organization) hold various fundraisers to purchase and donate supplies for the animal shelter. http://www.co.bergen.nj.us/bcas
Loose Plate Collection: At St. Matthew's, the second Sunday of every month is designated as "Loose Plate Collection for Outreach". In addition to the usual plate offering, parishioners make donations to aid specific outreach programs that are pre-determined by the Vestry. In the past, loose plate collections have been used to help fund transplants, provide assistance with medical bills, and supplement programs to help the hungry and homeless in addition to other local and global ministries.
The Alleluia Fund for Outreach is a vital diocesan ministry. By supporting the Alleluia Fund with your financial contribution, you join Episcopalians across the Diocese who are generously responding to our sisters and brothers in need. As donors to the Alleluia Fund for Outreach, we are able to accomplish things that would likely become impossible for us to do as individual Christians. Food pantries, after school programs, shelters for those most vulnerable, and critically needed international programs - all these are among the vital ministries of our Alleluia Fund partners.