Current Mission Programs we participate in:
Christmas Tree Pickup: Each January, we pick up Christmas trees from Needham residents for recycling. This is a free service, but we accept donations, which are passed on to service and charitable organizations. Over the past five years, we have distributed over $60,000 to organizations such as Project Bread and Justice For Our Neighbors.
Rise Against Hunger: Provides millions of nutritious meals annually to school lunches and other community programs overseas. Each year, we have a meal-packing event to prepare meals to be distributed through Rise Against Hunger.
The Walk for Hunger: Provides support for over 250 community-based food programs. In the past several years we have participated in the walk and raised money to support their programs.
Family Promise: Provides shelter and comprehensive support to the homeless. Our team participates in their annual walk to help raise funds to support their programs.
Pumpkin Patch Scholarships: Each year, we offer scholarships to graduating high school seniors from the congregation and local communities. The scholarships are awarded based on community service.
Mission Trips: Our weeklong summer trips are designed to help people in need in the United States and abroad. For the past several years, we have traveled to the United Methodist Economic Ministry in Salem, Maine. Our teams help repair homes for those in need.
Pumpkins with a Purpose: Each October, we operate a Pumpkin Patch on the church lawn. The Patch is designed to provide a fun place for visitors and to raise funds for service and charitable organizations. The pumpkins come from a farm located on a Navajo reservation in New Mexico and provide employment and financial support to the Navajo in an area where employment opportunities are very scarce. We distribute 100% of the remaining proceeds to other local, national, and international service and charitable organizations. Over the last five years, we have distributed over $250,000 to the recipient organizations.
DCF Foster Children: Each December, we provide holiday presents for foster children in the Massachusetts state system.
Justice for our Neighbors (JFON): A Methodist ministry that provides legal and other services to immigrants. We provide volunteers, participate in their events, and provide financial support.
Donation Programs. We provide volunteers, donations, and financial support to a number of other charitable and service organizations. Examples include Generic Ministry (helping the homeless on the street), Dignity Matters (feminine hygiene products), and Cradles to Crayons (clothing).
