COVID-19 Quarantine restrictions have created challenges in our Outreach efforts to support the Twin Cities community. To assist our Unity community in this Outreach effort, each month we will be posting volunteer opportunities which will allow us to support our community and still maintain safety protocols.
2021 Report
Throughout 2021 Unity Minneapolis congregants responded enthusiastically to the Outreach Ministry’s requests for assistance for community members in need. Despite the pandemic and resulting lack of programs for in-person volunteering, Outreach was able to offer opportunities for members to engage with their families and friends to support needs in the broader community.
The purpose of the Community Outreach Ministry is to empower our spiritual community to make a difference in the world through good works, financial contributions and being Love in Action.
Unity Minneapolis’ Outreach is a dynamic ministry that organizes community service projects that address a variety of needs locally, regionally, and globally, and it serves as a wonderful resource for individuals looking for volunteer service opportunities.
There is always room on the team for those who want to become more involved in our community. There are many projects that provide opportunities to give of your time and talents. The team also collectively decides on where to donate church funds that are budgeted each year for outreach organizations that we support.
Requirements for Serving on This Team
- Passion for community service
- Willingness to attend monthly meetings
- Interest in helping to organize and carry out service projects
- Availability to assist with promoting our events (answer questions at our table after
services, send emails, make phone calls) - An overall desire to become more involved in our greater community
Benefits of Serving on This Team
While all teams are about service, Outreach is an opportunity to be in service beyond Unity Minneapolis. With so many different projects to choose from, Outreach provides a wide variety of experiences for growth and enrichment!
There are opportunities for:
- Meeting new people
- Being out in the community
- Expanding the reach of the church and of oneself
- Making a difference in another’s life
Organizations Currently Served
PRISM (People Responding in Social Ministry)
This organization is a community-funded social service agency that provides families in need with food, financial assistance, transportation, and other services in times of financial hardships. Unity Minneapolis has been working with PRISM as one of their faith-based partners for years.
Every month, our church, along with several other churches in the community, collect a variety of pantry items to be disseminated to those in need.
We also participate in the annual statewide food drive each March, and during the summer months, we participate in a big back-to-school drive, bringing in backpacks loaded with school supplies for children returning to school. THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to making our Back to School Drive for PRISM such a huge success.
KidPack
Unity Minneapolis partners with Valley Presbyterian and Valley of Peace Lutheran Church to support the KidPack program at Noble Elementary School in Golden Valley.
KidPack has been set up to address weekend hunger for elementary schoolchildren. For many children, a school breakfast or lunch is their only nutritional meal of the day. KidPack helps to provide relief for when children are not in school. Parents are notified by letter about the program, and they can choose to participate or not.
Each church purchases food individually from the Emergency Food Network, which delivers the items to the churches. The bags are assembled and then distributed to the kids at Noble Elementary. At each pack, approximately 200 bags of food are packed and labeled—enough for two weeks. Packing is done in rotation at individual churches every six weeks. Each Friday morning, the KidPacks are handed out to the children.
Habitat for Humanity
This organization is international and well known for the ingenious way in which they orchestrate volunteers coming together to serve others in creating homes for those in need. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races, and religions to build together in partnership. With donations and volunteers, Habitat for Humanity has built or rehabilitated more than 400,000 homes throughout the world.
Feed My Starving Children
This organization is committed to feeding God’s children in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and then the meals are shipped to nearly 70 countries around the world.
Individual Volunteer Opportunities
- PRISM can use your help in the food pantry, the clothes closet, or the front office.
- Habitat for Humanity is looking for families to mentor new Habitat homeowners in their neighborhood. This is a great way to help the community and meet new neighbors as well!
- Plymouth Christian Youth Center has opportunities for volunteers to work with children, reading, tutoring, etc. Hours vary.
- Crisis Nursery in Golden Valley has volunteer opportunities. Visit the Crisis Nursery website to learn more.