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What We're Doing
The needs in our community, state, nation and the world are many! We attempt to do as much as we can each month. These are the organizations with whom we are currently partnering.
Mobile Food Pantry
St. John's UMC, in partnership with Roadrunner Food Bank, offers a monthly food distribution for 50 needy families on the 3rd Saturday of every month at 10:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center (FLC); first come, first served. Currently we are using a drive-through process where boxes are assembled in the FLC and then loaded into families' cars. Once the pandemic recedes, we will once again host the families in the FLC. Volunteers spend about two hours assisting with distribution.
Navajo Christmas Airlift
The Christmas Airlift began in 1985, when Dick McColley, in his role as President of the Honeywell Flying Club, researched and considered various community service opportunities that would allow General Aviation Aircraft pilots to assist the underprivileged at Christmas. His attention eventually centered on the Navajo Reservation, which is heavily rural, and with much of the nation living without many of the comforts so much of our country takes for granted. In addition to the rewarding aspects for the pilots, the tradition of giving truly shares the spirit and meaning of Christmas with the Navajo people. Click here to read more about this program.
We have an opportunity to become involved with this fantastic opportunity through the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) unit of which St. John's congregant, Larry Zentner, is a member. During the month of October (the items collected will all delivered the first of November), we will be collecting items to give. Click here to see and print a shopping list.
For any who are interested, there is also the opportunity to create "shoebox gifts" for the children (much like the Samaritan Purse "Operation Christmas Child" boxes we've filled in the past). Here is a list of possible items for the shoebox. Please pick and choose what you wish to include but remember it must fit in the shoebox you provide.
Silver Horizons
Silver Horizons assists low-income seniors (50 years and older), many of whom are raising grandchildren and existing on as low as $700 per month, meet their basic needs and maintain a quality standard of living. Silver Horizons does not receive funding from the State of New Mexico, the County of Bernalillo, or from the City of Albuquerque. Silver Horizons exists because of donations from individuals, local businesses, and private foundations. They do receive some FEMA funds from the Federal Government. ​
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For more information about Silver Horizons or for someone who might be in need of their services, click here to visit their website.
Weekend Meal Bags for Zuni Elementary
With the start of the new school year, 2022-2023, we are once again delivering weekend meal bags to 45 Zuni Elementary School students. We will continually collect single-serve items throughout the school year but for the month of October, we're collecting (all single-serve sizes): macaroni and cheese cups, shelf-stable chocolate milk, packets of cheese-and-crackers, packets of goldfish crackers, microwavable ravioli and veggie cups such as corn, carrots and green beans. For a complete list of the pop-top, single-serve items we put in the weekend meal bags, click here (attach the list that is currently there). Please drop off your donations at the Hospitality Center.
