New Church Looking for Ways to Serve in Downers Grove

Hi C.,
I am always amazed at how many people in DuPage county are homeless or hungry. (I am also located in Downers Grove, and you wouldn't think we'd have such a problem!) We do some volunteer work with the People's Resource Center in Westmont. They are great--it's a food pantry, job assistance, ESL classes, art classes, etc. They also have a Wheaton locations. I'm sure both could use money, food, or volunteers. There is also a program called DuPage County PADS, in which area churches send volunteers or volunteer their buildings as places for homeless people to sleep and eat. Several Downers Grove churches are involved. This generally requires volunteers who are available overnight, which is always harder. There are so many good organizations that could use help in the area, so I'm sure you will have tons of worty options.

C., my family goes to Southminster Presbyterian church in Glen Ellyn. PADS and People's resource center are two that have already been mentioned. Rebuilding Aurora is another one that is usually done around April 20. I'm sure you could call our church and get more information if you haven't gotten some more good suggestions. We've collected tennis shoes at our rummage sale and given them to a ministry in Glen Ellyn, who then turns them into playground material. At vacation bible school two weeks ago, we collected school supplies for school kids. Anyway, just a couple of ideas. Thanks for doing God's work!

LOVE Christian Clearinghouse

Feed My Starving Children (in Naperville)

Awanas

I work downtown and every winter, the associates are asked to donate a child in need. It has something to do with Operation snow flake. I don't know the name, but basically, churches contact this organization and provide them with a list of children in need of gifts. the child writes down thier name and age and the item they want for Christmas and it's posted. The assoicates then get to pick and choose which child they want to sponsor. I always questioned where the company receives the names of the needy children, as they always seem to be from the inner city of Chicago and I think it would be great opportunity for the needy children of Downers Grove and the surrounding area to have the same option as the inner city children do.

We also provide back to school bags (full of school supplies to "needy inner city kids" as well). I just don't know which company organizes it.

Family Shelter Service is a domestic violence agancy in Downers and they are always in need of volunteers and donations. Thank you for your help

Hi C., What a wonderful thing your church is doing. I am not in downers grove. But I can tell you that food pantry's always need help. Also if there is a homeless shelter they always need help in the shelter cooking cleaning etc.
good luck and god bless

I don't know organizations off hand but I am recovering from uterine cancer (cancer free!-yes!) and the church here has people make my family dinners for seven days while I am recovering. I can't tell you how grateful we are to that.They signed up for different days and drop it off around dinner time. I didn't think people did things like that anymore. My point is that perhaps parishioners or their relatives might need something like that. I myself will be forever grateful.