You Can Make A Difference

What's wrong with this picture? We are frequently, painfully reminded of those less fortunate. So often we don't know how to really help the needy when they ask us, and giving them a buck or two seems fleeting. Now there's something more you can do.

Partners In Grace is a growing coalition for the needy that includes several city and church organizations.

Print out these handy "Street Sheets" and carry them with you. Consider them your road-map to the city, and every time you come across someone who needs a hand, and you don't just want to give them cash, share with them these informative pamphlets that are designed to help them, help themselves. Additionally, take the time to learn their name, get to know them a bit. This will help you understand which "Street Sheet" version will best suit their needs.

To print, select double-sided and fold in a four-fold. Depending on your printer settings, they may print in a micro form, which can fit in a pocket nicely, but remember most of these poor souls cannot afford glasses and may not be able to read such fine print.

All-Borough StreetSheets Are Here!

Just when you thought a great thing couldn't get any better, Amanda Parrish Block has notched-up her StreetSheets to an all-time high. Now when you see a needy person asking for help in any borough of our great city, you can carry these handy hyper-local outreach resource sheets to any borough - download yours today!

MEK's Annual Soup Kitchen Fund Raiser

I just began planning my annual fund-raiser for our church's soup kitchen, so if you're a fan you should be receiving an invitation soon.

Lost In Woonsocket Film Invitation

The United Methodist Church Of The Village (Seventh Avenue at 13th Street) will be showing the film, "Lost In Woonsocket" on Tuesday, May 12th at 6:30 p.m. There will be no charge, however donations will be accepted to continue funding the Village Church soup kitchen, "Hope For Our Neighbors In Need."

A miraculous journey of hope... Missing for years from their families, two alcoholics are discovered hiding in the woods of Woonsocket, RI by film crew. A series of profound coincidences lead to a miraculous reunion with their children, signifying the power of love and forgiveness. Just as the men begin their second chance at life one of them is forced to face a new challenge... small town fame.

Feed NYC!

On Sunday March 8th, concerned citizens and faith leaders in New York City are gathering to urge our local and national leaders to meet the difficult challenges now facing our local community and beyond. In these tough economic times, hungry and poor people are being hit the hardest. Rising unemployment and stagnant wages make it harder for low-income workers to provide food for their families, especially in light of sharply higher food prices--did anyone see the price of food go back down after gas prices did--wasn't that the reason we were told the prices went up?!

Date: Sunday March 8th, 2009
Time: 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Where: Judson Memorial Church
55 Washington Square South
New York, NY

Who:
Bread for the World
Interfaith Voices AgainstHunger/Feed the Solution
Hunger Action Network of New York State
New York Province of the Society of Jesus
Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice
Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church
Faith and Hunger Network
Partners In Grace
Hope For Our Neighbors In Need
Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship and more!

Homelessness Prevention Program To Lose Funding

Susan Dominus reports for "The New York Times" that The Homelessness Prevention Program will lose its funding in April because of the state’s gaping budget shortfall. Read the full article here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/16/nyregion/16bigcity.html

Religious Shelters Feel Squeezed By Rules

Leslie Kaufman reports for "The New York Times" that The Friends Quaker Meeting Shelter, a program that I have volunteered for in the past, is facing the possibility of being shuttered. Read the full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/25/nyregion/25shelter.html.

Your Help Is Needed!

Whether you have some free time or a few bucks, The United Methodist Church Of The Village really needs your help this holiday season. They'll be slicing, dicing and chopping on Saturday, December 6th from 1-4 p.m. To sign-up, contact Louise Fawcett at fawcettlr@aol.com.

If you can't make it in person, your tax deductible financial contributions are always welcome. Make sure you note "HNN" (Help For Our Neighbors In Need) on the "memo" portion of the check, or just stop by the church office:

The Church Of The Village/HNN
201 West 13th Street
New York, NY 10011

Christmas Pageant: Live Nativity & Tap-Dancing Sheep

3rd Annual CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Benefit
The Church of the Village
201 W. 13th @ 7th Ave New York City
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14th @10:30 AM

Come celebrate the Christmas story with Carols, Dance, a live Nativity Scene and TAP-DANCING SHEEP!

All are welcome, Children are invited to participate.

Admission is free, but please bring a gift for “Hope for our Neighbors in Need.”

Suggested items: $4 Metro-card, NEW socks, gloves, winter-hats, T-shirts, underwear, long-johns, sweaters, coats, earmuffs, headbands. There will also be a HOLIDAY BAZAAR, afterwards, a fund-raising sale to benefit Church of the Village Dance Ministries.

Health Of The Hungry

Astonishing answers About Hunger from The New York Times. They interview Joel Berg, Executive Director, New York City Coalition Against Hunger. Enlightening perspective on off-the-chart levels of obesity and diabetes in low-income and marginal neighborhoods in New York. It's not because they are over-eating, it's because the food quality they can afford to purchase is sub-standard.

Recession Hits City's Soup Kitchens

No longer counting on the largess of corporate donors, the city’s nonprofit groups are preparing for the inevitable: a season of nongiving.

Sing For Hope Outreach Benefit November 23

Learn More about Sing For Hope Here

An Update From The Kitchen

Louise is in charge of our local soup kitchen, and I am her representative for Partners In Grace. When I asked her if there was anything she wanted me to share at our upcoming Partners In Grace meeting, I found her response so eloquent that I got her permission to post it here. There is a deep message in her words, and I urge you to take action and get involved. Here's her response:

M.E.K.,

I would suggest that you take copies of our new brochure. Some are in a blue folder in my mailbox in the church office. Take what you think you need. This is Hunger Awareness Month and we are ending with a Kitchen Shower on Sunday, Sept. 28 and a light lunch for congregants on that day. Letters are being prepared for parishioners to sign and we will send to politicians in regard to needed legislation now. You can get a copy Sunday.

We are working with the Chinese UMC now on helping us on the east side with a large population of Mandarin and Cantonese elderly women - translation of StreetSheets, resourcing on immigration issues, etc.

Planning is beginning with Trustees for an upgrade of our kitchen facilities on the west side. Hopefully, this will happen in 2009.

Numbers of neighbors coming for food steadily increases.

Louise

Call For Volunteers!

Hope for Our Neighbors in Need offers a sit-down meal several times each week, in the East and West Village. Volunteers are currently needed to help with chopping vegetables, shopping for groceries, setting tables, washing dishes and serving.

If you are ever free on a Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday, and would like to volunteer your time, please e-mail Louise Fawcett at: fawcettlr@aol.com.

CELEBRATION!

Photo Credit: Eitan Grinspun (2006)

Update: We raised over $2,000 to benefit our Neighbors In Need! Thanks to all who helped make this a success. Read about Dwight's incredible journey from being fed to helping feed others, and if it inspires you, it's not to late to donate!

Come join The Village United Methodist Church for CELEBRATION! on June 9th at 7:00 p.m. This evening of music will raise funds to help their "Neighbors In Need program." Your mere $10 donation will 100% go straight to help someone who needs it, and you'll enjoy an evening of wonderful music.

The church is located at 201 West 13th Street at Seventh Avenue.

Sing For Hope - One Voice

Photo Credit: Sing For Hope (2006)

For a mere $35, you can help someone less fortunate.

CONCERT TO BENEFIT THE HOMELESS

Sing for Hope/One Voice: Evening of Art Songs and Opera

As one of the first of many bicentennial celebrations, and in keeping with our 200 year tradition of ministering to the poor, on the evening of Tuesday June 3 at 7:30pm, Grace Church will host Sing for Hope: OneVoice, An Evening of Art Songs and Opera, a night of Opera favorites to benefit Partners in Grace, a coalition of eighteen groups and organizations working to eradicate homelessness in New York City. Metropolitan Opera soprano (and Grace Church chorister) Holli Harrison and fellow stars of the international music scene will star, performing a concert that celebrates the human spirit, with works by Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Puccini, Offenbach and Bernstein.

Thanks to the generosity of Grace Church and the artists donating their performances, all of the event’s proceeds will directly support the vital outreach programs of Partners In Grace. Partners in Grace, a coalition of charitable organizations, meets the pressing needs of New York City’s hungry and homeless through an array of comprehensive, complementary service programs.

Along with soprano Holli Harrison (The Metropolitan Opera), the concert will also feature Christine Goerke (The Metropolitan Opera), Rochelle Small Clifford (Harlem Opera Theatre), and Camille Zamora (Los Angeles Opera); Mezzo-Sopranos Elise Quagliata (Glimmerglass Opera); Tenors Javier Abreu (New York City Opera) and Joel Weiss (Opera Pacific); Baritones Matthew Worth (Chicago Opera Theater) and Brian Kontes (Opera Orchestra of New York).

Ticketing Information

Outreach Sunday

OUTREACH SUNDAY – This-coming Sunday! Besides meeting new people, you will have a chance to learn about 16 different organizations working to address the needs of the homeless in New York City. Join us in Tuttle Hall at Grace Church immediately following the 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. services, visiting the outreach displays, and supporting the vision that no one is left without shelter in our great city.

Congratulations

Thanks to everyone who contributed to my birthday charity fund-raiser. Together we donated almost fifteen hundred dollars to feed NYC's needy.

Food Banks: We’re One Step From Running Out

From today's New York Times:
Food banks around the country are reporting critical shortages that have forced them to ration supplies, distribute staples usually reserved for disaster relief and in some instances close.

NYC Food Bank Scare

This past Sunday I was moved by one of our church's soup kitchen volunteers. She's a bundle of energy and teaches Broadway and film stars how to tap-dance when their roles require it. A group of us were having a light lunch after church at a nearby restaurant when she bounced up to our table and apologized for being late. She had the last-minute idea to let those poor souls in line dress up their chili themselves. Her words spoke volumes, "Yeah, I decided that when you're cooking an industrial-style meal like that, if you let those in line add their own dollop of sour cream and shredded cheese, it adds a feeling of "home" to the meal. Takes a bit longer this way, but it places a warm and personal touch to the meal."Last week's New York Times and NY Daily News both reported on our current dwindling supply of food for the needy, juxtaposed with an increase in those needing assistance. These poor often hold full-time jobs, while remaining homeless. That's right, they work hard just like you, but don't even get paid enough to afford a studio apartment in a bad neighborhood.

There is something you can do. You can phone our local NY representatives and tell them you support the 2007 Farm bill. But act now, because the bill expires October 31, 2007.