Needs Pool (Dive in!)
For those of you who are wondering where you can help serve in our church and our community, this section called “Needs Pool” has been newly added to our publications and website for you! Each month we will be posting new service opportunities that are waiting for your help—all you have to do is dive in! The list will be continually updated so you can be assured they are fresh and require immediate aid. Contact information will be listed beside the need so you and your family can speak directly to the service agency/person who submitted the request for assistance.

The Needs Pool is designed to connect real people with real needs. It can be instrumental in challenging disciples to translate their ideas and theories into a quality of life and being for oneself, and for others. If you or your group are looking for a way to turn your talk into action, please check this section regularly for the most current listing of needs we have available.

If you have a need, or if you know about a need from others in our church or community that others might be able to assist with, please submit it to Chris Shank, Director of Adult Ministries.

Needs Pool needs YOU!—we need people to submit needs that you may have, or that you may know about! We also are seeking people to help in the organization, research, and connection that helps make the Needs Pool work!

If you, or someone you know, has a need we can help with, please contact Chris Shank, Director of Adult Ministries, at cshank@livingwordumc.org, or 636-821-2800

Current Needs...

Crisis Nursery—We have a group going back to the Crisis Nursery to help sort donations on September 11 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 10 people. Contact: Lisa Baker, lbaker@livingwordumc.org, 636-821-2800

Epworth Children and Family Services—Youth in transitional and independent living programs need the following (new gently used): dressers, small kitchen tables and chairs, couches (no rips/tears, no sofa beds/pullouts), coffee tables, end tables, T.V., converter boxes, lamps, TV stands, microwaves and toddler/children’s beds. All items would need to be delivered to 6816 Washington Ave St. Louis MO 63144 Monday – Friday,  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Contact: Kimberly Campbell, 314-222-4857, kcampbell@epworth.org.

Rockwood Family needs assistance!!—We have received a special request from a Rockwood school social worker that states indicating that there is a family in the district that is in need of help in supplying school clothing for the children. If you are interested in helping to purchase new clothing for this family, please contact Melissa Feig, (636) 891-6135, or feigmelissa@rockwood.k12.mo.us.

Home and Yard Work Group—The next project is Saturday, September 18th, working at a Rainbow Village house in North County.  Work involves external painting of soffits, trimboards and siding, plus some landscaping work.  Specifically looking for people who have paint spraying equipment. Contact: David Evans, david.evans7683@sbcglobal.net.

Sign up your small group/ ministry group to be a Task Force!!—Interesting in getting your small group involved in some kind of service throughout the year, without over-committing at the same time? A Task Force calendar is being compiled to form a ‘strength pool’ on standby to meet needs on specific months. Want to sign up for a project only in October and May, or for only a few projects throughout the year? Ask how your group can become a Needs Pool Task Force that works with your schedule and strengths! Contact: Chris Shank, 636-821-2800, cshank@livingwordumc.org.

Team Leaders Needed!—If you are interested in helping coordinate a task force to meet Needs Pool requests, your help is needed. Team Leaders will work closely with Chris Shank, Director Of Adult Ministries, and the Needs Pool Committee to coordinate and attend service events for 1 specific area of service per team leader. If you would like to volunteer, or if you have more questions, please contact Chris Shank, 636-821-2800, cshank@livingwordumc.org.

St. Patrick’s Center (agency for the homeless)—seeking individuals to help tutor adults and students who are in the GED/ABE educational program. 5-10 volunteers needed. Contact: kzamastil@stpatrickcenter.org.

The Bridge Fundraiser—The Bridge is a food kitchen downtown that provides meals for the homeless and for families experiencing economic hardship. “The Bridge To Triumph” is a fundraiser that you can support on September 20, 5:30-7:30 pm by attending an event at  the MOTO Museum @ Triumph Grill. Cost is $50 per person. For more information, visit www.bridgestl.org,  or call 314-421-3136.

Cooking at Living Word—We have a group at Living Word that is using our kitchen facilities to cook meals for Shalom House, and you are invited to help. Contact Barbara Steurer, libertysales@prodigy.net.

Kingdom House (social services)—Needs light fixture repair on site. 1-2 people. Contact: Glenn Shoats, 314-421-0400.

St. Louis Cares—St. Louis Cares, a United Way organized team, is looking for monthly assistance for various service projects in St. Louis. Volunteers must be 21 years or older and must complete an online (or in-person) orientation and certification with United Way. Contact: Rebecca, 314-539-4299

Epworth Children’s Home—Needs weeding and yard work on site. Volunteers must be 21 years or older. Contact: Margaret Mahan, 636-236-6298.

The Bridge @ Centenary UMC—The Bridge meal program downtown is regularly supported by service groups from Living Word, and is in need of volunteers to help can produce that has recently been donated in copious amounts. You do not need any canning knowledge or experience, and any help will be appreciated. Canning dates will be announced as volunteers are gathered. Contact: Deb Crowe, dcrowe@bridgestl.org, or 314-421-3136, ext. 107

Samaritan UMC - Rev. Nora Jones of Samaritan UMC is scheduled to lead an earthquake response team to Haiti SEPTEMBER 19-29, 2010.  There are a few spots available on this mission team. Contact: Nora Jones, samaritanpastor@sbcglobal.net, 314-533-3916.

“The Bridge” Soup Kitchen—breakfast and lunch servers needed! Breakfast help needed every weekday: two people on Monday, and one each of the other days.  Time frame is 6:30 am - 9:00 am.  Help also needed on a couple of 5th days of the month:  lunch on the fifth Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  May also have need for help with dinner on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Contact: Deb Crowe, dcrowe@centenarystl.org, 314-421-3136, ext 107.

Centenary UMC—A team needs assistance painting/repairing a nursery for Centenary UMC. 5-10 people. Contact: Chris Shank, cshank@livingwordumc.org, 636-821-2800

New City Fellowship—Every second Saturday there is a free clinic from 9:30 to 12 pm at the South City worship site. They rely on volunteer doctors, nurses, and non-health professionals to staff and connect with the community at the clinic. Contact: Emily Church, Emily@ncfstl.org, 314.726.2302 x237

Interested in helping?
Contact: Chris Shank, cshank@livingwordumc.org, 636-821-2824. We want to hear how God is using you! Please send feedback/photos about your experience to Chris Shank, cshank@livingwordumc.org.