Fall Family Festival

We’re having a free Halloween party with games, crafts, face-paint, popcorn and snow cones! Our “trunk or treat” candy stations will be out from 12:00-1:30, with lunch available for purchase all afternoon (or until it’s all bought out).

Bring your family and friends and dress up in something fun! No scary or violent costumes, please. We’ll meet you in the parking lot of the Free Methodist Church. With balloons, a bounce house, and the smell of our BBQ lunch, we think you’ll recognize the party.

Invite your friends and let them know about it on Facebook.

Last month, we served 30 individuals that laundered the equivalent of 92 loads of laundry. Everyone received a new pair of socks and a few received needed sleeping bags. We had lunch together as typical of our event. We can always utilize more volunteers.

Loads of Love serves people that are living on the streets, in vehicles, in shelters or living with multiple families in a single family dwelling due to financial hardship. People served meet the definition of someone without a home, are food insecure, and live in poverty.

What Occurs? People in need of assistance are informed of regular opportunities to clean their clothes free of charge at local laundromats. Upon arriving at the laundromat, they are met by caring community volunteers that provide the money and laundry detergent needed to launder their clothes. Volunteers also focus on building relationships and provide a human connection often not experienced by those who live in poverty. Once trust is developed, volunteers are able to offer participants additional resources to meet other life needs.

The Loads of Love project would not exist without the generosity of numerous volunteers willing to give up some of their valuable time to provide for others in need. Even a couple hours of time committed to a project by any one individual, when coupled with commitments from other volunteers, can have amazing results. Special thanks to the many generous community members who donate their time and financial resources to assist our community need. 100% of the donations for this project support the costs of laundering clothes.

Additional information is available at: www.loadsoflovesb.org

For questions, contact Tom Spadaro (Volunteer Coordinator)
director@genuineconcern.org  805-680-8443

Sunday Lunch with Our Sister Church
Light & Life Isla Vista

This year, we are partnering with our sister church, Light and Life Isla Vista, as they continue to reach out to their neighbors. Each Sunday, they have church in the park, which is followed by a lunch and all are welcome. Four times this year, we will be providing the lunch. We are looking for a few people each time to go out on our day and worship with them. If you are interested in helping with the lunch or going out to worship with our sister church on those days, please sign up at Connection Central.

Our dates are: October 7, January 6, April 7, July 7.

Every other month volunteers from FMCSB are committed to serving dinner and sack lunches at Transition House. Contact Kelsey Lahr at kelseyelahr@gmail.com to find out what food items are needed for donation, or make a cash donation marked "Transition House" and put it in the offering plate.

TRANSITION HOUSE

Since 1984, Transition House has developed a successful strategy for capable and motivated families to permanently regain self-sufficiency. The strategy is based on the understanding that the root cause of family homelessness is poverty. There may be other contributing factors, but underlying it all is poverty.
Transition House offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, and long-term affordable rental housing as well as a full continuum of anti-poverty services. The goal is to provide a realistic and lasting solution to poverty-based family homelessness.

Each year Transition House helps more than 700 community members – 350 of who use their three-stage housing program and services; the balance receives support through their homelessness prevention program. At least 90% of Transition House’s clients are our neighbors – they come from the greater Santa Barbara area.

At Free Methodist Church, we are honored to provide dinner and sack lunches for the residents of Transition House, 6 times each year. We are happy to accept specific food donations for the meals and cash donations.

Loads of Love is a way of caring for people who are struggling financially by assisting them to launder their own clothes. Last month we served 20 people that laundered the equivalent of 81 loads of laundry.

Loads of Love serves people that are living on the streets, in vehicles, in shelters or living with multiple families in a single family dwelling due to financial hardship. People served meet the definition of someone without a home, are food insecure, and live in poverty.

What Occurs? People in need of assistance are informed of regular opportunities to clean their clothes free of charge at local laundromats. Upon arriving at the laundromat, they are met by caring community volunteers that provide the money and laundry detergent needed to launder their clothes. Volunteers also focus on building relationships and provide a human connection often not experienced by those who live in poverty. Once trust is developed, volunteers are able to offer participants additional resources to meet other life needs.

The Loads of Love project would not exist without the generosity of numerous volunteers willing to give up some of their valuable time to provide for others in need. Even a couple hours of time committed to a project by any one individual, when coupled with commitments from other volunteers, can have amazing results. Special thanks to the many generous community members who donate their time and financial resources to assist our community need. 100% of the donations for this project support the costs of laundering clothes.

Additional information is available at: www.loadsoflovesb.org

For questions, contact Tom Spadaro (Volunteer Coordinator)
director@genuineconcern.org  805-680-8443

Loads of Love is a way of caring for people who are struggling financially by assisting them to launder their own clothes. Last month we served 20 people that laundered the equivalent of 81 loads of laundry.

Loads of Love serves people that are living on the streets, in vehicles, in shelters or living with multiple families in a single family dwelling due to financial hardship. People served meet the definition of someone without a home, are food insecure, and live in poverty.

What Occurs? People in need of assistance are informed of regular opportunities to clean their clothes free of charge at local laundromats. Upon arriving at the laundromat, they are met by caring community volunteers that provide the money and laundry detergent needed to launder their clothes. Volunteers also focus on building relationships and provide a human connection often not experienced by those who live in poverty. Once trust is developed, volunteers are able to offer participants additional resources to meet other life needs.

The Loads of Love project would not exist without the generosity of numerous volunteers willing to give up some of their valuable time to provide for others in need. Even a couple hours of time committed to a project by any one individual, when coupled with commitments from other volunteers, can have amazing results. Special thanks to the many generous community members who donate their time and financial resources to assist our community need. 100% of the donations for this project support the costs of laundering clothes.

Additional information is available at: www.loadsoflovesb.org

For questions, contact Tom Spadaro (Volunteer Coordinator)
director@genuineconcern.org  805-680-8443

Free Methodist Church is committed to providing food and volunteer labor at Transition House one Tuesday evening every other month. If you are interested in helping there are 3 ways you can do so: 1) write a check to FMCSB and mark Transition House on the memo; 2) Donate specific food items (contact Mary Woodyard to find out what is needed); or 3) contact Mary about volunteering at Transition House from 5-8pm on July 24. Contact Mary Woodyard at mary.woodyard@cox.net or 805-729-3572.

TRANSITION HOUSE

Since 1984, Transition House has developed a successful strategy for capable and motivated families to permanently regain self-sufficiency. The strategy is based on the understanding that the root cause of family homelessness is poverty. There may be other contributing factors, but underlying it all is poverty.
Transition House offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, and long-term affordable rental housing as well as a full continuum of anti-poverty services. The goal is to provide a realistic and lasting solution to poverty-based family homelessness.

Each year Transition House helps more than 700 community members – 350 of who use their three-stage housing program and services; the balance receives support through their homelessness prevention program. At least 90% of Transition House’s clients are our neighbors – they come from the greater Santa Barbara area.

At Free Methodist Church, we are honored to provide dinner and sack lunches for the residents of Transition House, 6 times each year. We are happy to accept specific food donations for the meals and cash donations.

Loads of Love is a way of caring for people who are struggling financially by assisting them to launder their own clothes. Last month we served 20 people that laundered the equivalent of 81 loads of laundry.

Loads of Love serves people that are living on the streets, in vehicles, in shelters or living with multiple families in a single family dwelling due to financial hardship. People served meet the definition of someone without a home, are food insecure, and live in poverty.

What Occurs? People in need of assistance are informed of regular opportunities to clean their clothes free of charge at local laundromats. Upon arriving at the laundromat, they are met by caring community volunteers that provide the money and laundry detergent needed to launder their clothes. Volunteers also focus on building relationships and provide a human connection often not experienced by those who live in poverty. Once trust is developed, volunteers are able to offer participants additional resources to meet other life needs.

The Loads of Love project would not exist without the generosity of numerous volunteers willing to give up some of their valuable time to provide for others in need. Even a couple hours of time committed to a project by any one individual, when coupled with commitments from other volunteers, can have amazing results. Special thanks to the many generous community members who donate their time and financial resources to assist our community need. 100% of the donations for this project support the costs of laundering clothes.

Additional information is available at: www.loadsoflovesb.org

For questions, contact Tom Spadaro (Volunteer Coordinator)
director@genuineconcern.org  805-680-8443

Volunteer to help serve dinner or drop off food for the residents of Transition House. See items needed below. Cash donations are also welcome; note "Transition House" if making payable to FMCSB or give online at transition house.com.

Contact Coleen Stewart to serve or find out more info (805-403-9497, sbriotwoman@yahoo.com).

For lunches:
- 6 loaves of sandwich bread
- 3 pounds of sliced turkey or ham
- 3 pounds of sliced cheese
- fresh fruit that can easily be put in a bag lunch
- carrots or celery sticks
- cookie
- granola bar or other snacks
- bottled water

For Dinner:
- salad makings for a hearty green salad
- garlic bread for about 60 persons
- dessert for 60

TRANSITION HOUSE

Since 1984, Transition House has developed a successful strategy for capable and motivated families to permanently regain self-sufficiency. The strategy is based on the understanding that the root cause of family homelessness is poverty. There may be other contributing factors, but underlying it all is poverty.
Transition House offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, and long-term affordable rental housing as well as a full continuum of anti-poverty services. The goal is to provide a realistic and lasting solution to poverty-based family homelessness.

Each year Transition House helps more than 700 community members – 350 of who use their three-stage housing program and services; the balance receives support through their homelessness prevention program. At least 90% of Transition House’s clients are our neighbors – they come from the greater Santa Barbara area.

At Free Methodist Church, we are honored to provide dinner and sack lunches for the residents of Transition House, 6 times each year. We are happy to accept specific food donations for the meals and cash donations.

For more information contact:
Sheryl Kelly
Email: sherylmkelly@gmail.com

Loads of Love is a way of caring for people who are struggling financially by assisting them to launder their own clothes. Last month we served 20 people that laundered the equivalent of 81 loads of laundry.

Loads of Love serves people that are living on the streets, in vehicles, in shelters or living with multiple families in a single family dwelling due to financial hardship. People served meet the definition of someone without a home, are food insecure, and live in poverty.

What Occurs? People in need of assistance are informed of regular opportunities to clean their clothes free of charge at local laundromats. Upon arriving at the laundromat, they are met by caring community volunteers that provide the money and laundry detergent needed to launder their clothes. Volunteers also focus on building relationships and provide a human connection often not experienced by those who live in poverty. Once trust is developed, volunteers are able to offer participants additional resources to meet other life needs.

The Loads of Love project would not exist without the generosity of numerous volunteers willing to give up some of their valuable time to provide for others in need. Even a couple hours of time committed to a project by any one individual, when coupled with commitments from other volunteers, can have amazing results. Special thanks to the many generous community members who donate their time and financial resources to assist our community need. 100% of the donations for this project support the costs of laundering clothes.

Additional information is available at: www.loadsoflovesb.org

For questions, contact Tom Spadaro (Volunteer Coordinator)
director@genuineconcern.org  805-680-8443

Loads of Love is a way of caring for people who are struggling financially by assisting them to launder their own clothes. Last month we served 20 people that laundered the equivalent of 81 loads of laundry.

Loads of Love serves people that are living on the streets, in vehicles, in shelters or living with multiple families in a single family dwelling due to financial hardship. People served meet the definition of someone without a home, are food insecure, and live in poverty.

What Occurs? People in need of assistance are informed of regular opportunities to clean their clothes free of charge at local laundromats. Upon arriving at the laundromat, they are met by caring community volunteers that provide the money and laundry detergent needed to launder their clothes. Volunteers also focus on building relationships and provide a human connection often not experienced by those who live in poverty. Once trust is developed, volunteers are able to offer participants additional resources to meet other life needs.

The Loads of Love project would not exist without the generosity of numerous volunteers willing to give up some of their valuable time to provide for others in need. Even a couple hours of time committed to a project by any one individual, when coupled with commitments from other volunteers, can have amazing results. Special thanks to the many generous community members who donate their time and financial resources to assist our community need. 100% of the donations for this project support the costs of laundering clothes.

Additional information is available at: www.loadsoflovesb.org

For questions, contact Tom Spadaro (Volunteer Coordinator)
director@genuineconcern.org  805-680-8443

Volunteer to help serve dinner or drop off food for the residents of Transition House. See items needed below. Cash donations are also welcome; note "Transition House" if making payable to FMCSB or give online at transition house.com.

Contact Sheryl Kelly to serve or find out more info (805-705-4574, sherylmkelly@gmail.com).

For lunches:
- 6 loaves of sandwich bread
- 3 pounds of sliced turkey or ham
- 3 pounds of sliced cheese
- fresh fruit that can easily be put in a bag lunch
- carrots or celery sticks
- cookie
- granola bar or other snacks
- bottled water

For Dinner:
- salad makings for a hearty green salad
- garlic bread for about 60 persons
- dessert for 60

TRANSITION HOUSE

Since 1984, Transition House has developed a successful strategy for capable and motivated families to permanently regain self-sufficiency. The strategy is based on the understanding that the root cause of family homelessness is poverty. There may be other contributing factors, but underlying it all is poverty.
Transition House offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, and long-term affordable rental housing as well as a full continuum of anti-poverty services. The goal is to provide a realistic and lasting solution to poverty-based family homelessness.

Each year Transition House helps more than 700 community members – 350 of who use their three-stage housing program and services; the balance receives support through their homelessness prevention program. At least 90% of Transition House’s clients are our neighbors – they come from the greater Santa Barbara area.

At Free Methodist Church, we are honored to provide dinner and sack lunches for the residents of Transition House, 6 times each year. We are happy to accept specific food donations for the meals and cash donations.

For more information contact:
Sheryl Kelly
Email: sherylmkelly@gmail.com

Loads of Love is a way of caring for people who are struggling financially by assisting them to launder their own clothes. Last month we served 20 people that laundered the equivalent of 81 loads of laundry.

Loads of Love serves people that are living on the streets, in vehicles, in shelters or living with multiple families in a single family dwelling due to financial hardship. People served meet the definition of someone without a home, are food insecure, and live in poverty.

What Occurs? People in need of assistance are informed of regular opportunities to clean their clothes free of charge at local laundromats. Upon arriving at the laundromat, they are met by caring community volunteers that provide the money and laundry detergent needed to launder their clothes. Volunteers also focus on building relationships and provide a human connection often not experienced by those who live in poverty. Once trust is developed, volunteers are able to offer participants additional resources to meet other life needs.

The Loads of Love project would not exist without the generosity of numerous volunteers willing to give up some of their valuable time to provide for others in need. Even a couple hours of time committed to a project by any one individual, when coupled with commitments from other volunteers, can have amazing results. Special thanks to the many generous community members who donate their time and financial resources to assist our community need. 100% of the donations for this project support the costs of laundering clothes.

Additional information is available at: www.loadsoflovesb.org

For questions, contact Tom Spadaro (Volunteer Coordinator)
director@genuineconcern.org  805-680-8443

Volunteer to help serve dinner or drop off food for the residents of Transition House. See items needed below. Cash donations are also welcome; note "Transition House" if making payable to FMCSB or give online at transition house.com.

Contact Sheryl Kelly to serve or find out more info (805-705-4574, sherylmkelly@gmail.com).

For lunches:
- 6 loaves of sandwich bread
- 3 pounds of sliced turkey or ham
- 3 pounds of sliced cheese
- fresh fruit that can easily be put in a bag lunch
- carrots or celery sticks
- cookie
- granola bar or other snacks
- bottled water

For Dinner:
- salad makings for a hearty green salad
- garlic bread for about 60 persons
- dessert for 60

TRANSITION HOUSE

Since 1984, Transition House has developed a successful strategy for capable and motivated families to permanently regain self-sufficiency. The strategy is based on the understanding that the root cause of family homelessness is poverty. There may be other contributing factors, but underlying it all is poverty.
Transition House offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, and long-term affordable rental housing as well as a full continuum of anti-poverty services. The goal is to provide a realistic and lasting solution to poverty-based family homelessness.

Each year Transition House helps more than 700 community members – 350 of who use their three-stage housing program and services; the balance receives support through their homelessness prevention program. At least 90% of Transition House’s clients are our neighbors – they come from the greater Santa Barbara area.

At Free Methodist Church, we are honored to provide dinner and sack lunches for the residents of Transition House, 6 times each year. We are happy to accept specific food donations for the meals and cash donations.

For more information contact:
Sheryl Kelly
Email: sherylmkelly@gmail.com

Loads of Love is a way of caring for people who are struggling financially by assisting them to launder their own clothes. Last month we served 20 people that laundered the equivalent of 81 loads of laundry.

Loads of Love serves people that are living on the streets, in vehicles, in shelters or living with multiple families in a single family dwelling due to financial hardship. People served meet the definition of someone without a home, are food insecure, and live in poverty.

What Occurs? People in need of assistance are informed of regular opportunities to clean their clothes free of charge at local laundromats. Upon arriving at the laundromat, they are met by caring community volunteers that provide the money and laundry detergent needed to launder their clothes. Volunteers also focus on building relationships and provide a human connection often not experienced by those who live in poverty. Once trust is developed, volunteers are able to offer participants additional resources to meet other life needs.

The Loads of Love project would not exist without the generosity of numerous volunteers willing to give up some of their valuable time to provide for others in need. Even a couple hours of time committed to a project by any one individual, when coupled with commitments from other volunteers, can have amazing results. Special thanks to the many generous community members who donate their time and financial resources to assist our community need. 100% of the donations for this project support the costs of laundering clothes.

Additional information is available at: www.loadsoflovesb.org

For questions, contact Tom Spadaro (Volunteer Coordinator)
director@genuineconcern.org  805-680-8443

Loads of Love is a way of caring for people who are struggling financially by assisting them to launder their own clothes. Loads of Love serves people that are living on the streets, in vehicles, in shelters or living with multiple families in a single family dwelling due to financial hardship. People served meet the definition of someone without a home, are food insecure, and live in poverty.

What Occurs? People in need of assistance are informed of regular opportunities to clean their clothes free of charge at local laundromats. Upon arriving at the laundromat, they are met by caring community volunteers that provide the money and laundry detergent needed to launder their clothes. Volunteers also focus on building relationships and provide a human connection often not experienced by those who live in poverty. Once trust is developed, volunteers are able to offer participants additional resources to meet other life needs.

The Loads of Love project would not exist without the generosity of numerous volunteers willing to give up some of their valuable time to provide for others in need. Even a couple hours of time committed to a project by any one individual, when coupled with commitments from other volunteers, can have amazing results. Special thanks to the many generous community members who donate their time and financial resources to assist our community need. 100% of the donations for this project support the costs of laundering clothes.

Additional information is available at: www.loadsoflovesb.org

For questions, contact Tom Spadaro (Volunteer Coordinator)
director@genuineconcern.org  805-680-8443

Tuesday, November 28th is our next opportunity to serve dinner and make lunch for the residents of Transition House. We could use assistance with the following items:

For lunches:
- 6 loaves of sandwich bread
- 3 pounds of sliced turkey or ham
- 3 pounds of sliced cheese
- fresh fruit that can easily be put in a bag lunch
- carrots or celery sticks
- cookie
- granola bar or other snacks
- bottled water

For Dinner:
- salad makings for a hearty green salad
- garlic bread for about 60 persons
- dessert for 60

We could also use 3-4 volunteers to help make lunches on the 28th, and 2-3 volunteers to help with salad prep and serving.  We will be making the bagged lunches starting at 5:30 and then will begin serving about 6:15.  We are usually done about 7:00 PM.

Monetary donations are also welcome and can be designated “for Transition House” on an envelope for cash or on your check in the offering.

Contact Joe & Pat Wheatley if you would like to contribute: (805) 963-5065 or joenpatwheatley@gmail.com.

TRANSITION HOUSE

Since 1984, Transition House has developed a successful strategy for capable and motivated families to permanently regain self-sufficiency. The strategy is based on the understanding that the root cause of family homelessness is poverty. There may be other contributing factors, but underlying it all is poverty.
Transition House offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, and long-term affordable rental housing as well as a full continuum of anti-poverty services. The goal is to provide a realistic and lasting solution to poverty-based family homelessness.

Each year Transition House helps more than 700 community members – 350 of who use their three-stage housing program and services; the balance receives support through their homelessness prevention program. At least 90% of Transition House’s clients are our neighbors – they come from the greater Santa Barbara area.

At Free Methodist Church, we are honored to provide dinner and sack lunches for the residents of Transition House, 6 times each year. We are happy to accept specific food donations for the meals and cash donations.

For more information contact:
Sheryl Kelly
Email: sherylmkelly@gmail.com

Loads of Love is a way of caring for people who are struggling financially by assisting them to launder their own clothes. Loads of Love serves people that are living on the streets, in vehicles, in shelters or living with multiple families in a single family dwelling due to financial hardship. People served meet the definition of someone without a home, are food insecure, and live in poverty.

What Occurs? People in need of assistance are informed of regular opportunities to clean their clothes free of charge at local laundromats. Upon arriving at the laundromat, they are met by caring community volunteers that provide the money and laundry detergent needed to launder their clothes. Volunteers also focus on building relationships and provide a human connection often not experienced by those who live in poverty. Once trust is developed, volunteers are able to offer participants additional resources to meet other life needs.

The Loads of Love project would not exist without the generosity of numerous volunteers willing to give up some of their valuable time to provide for others in need. Even a couple hours of time committed to a project by any one individual, when coupled with commitments from other volunteers, can have amazing results. Special thanks to the many generous community members who donate their time and financial resources to assist our community need. 100% of the donations for this project support the costs of laundering clothes.

Additional information is available at: www.loadsoflovesb.org

For questions, contact Tom Spadaro (Volunteer Coordinator)
director@genuineconcern.org  805-680-8443

Habitat for Humanity Build Day
July 29th

Come serve our community by helping build a home for a local family. We have a special tie to this particular family because they are part of Pueblo FMC here in Santa Barbara. Please register online with Habitat for Humanity to reserve your spot. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Pastor T.J. (tj@fmcsb.org or 805-965-1338 ext.225)

You must register yourself as a part of the "Free Methodist Church" group, otherwise, you won't be allowed to sign up on that day.

VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTIONS:

Address for the Build Day:
4949 Sawyer Ave.
Carpinteria, CA
93013

Time: The day will run from 8:30a-2:30p with a break for lunch. Orientation begins at 8:30am and it is very important volunteers are on time to hear all of the safety instructions. 

Parking: There is plenty of street parking available on or around Sawyer Avenue.

What to Wear: Volunteers must wear closed-toed shoes and long pants for safety. Volunteers will be sent to change if not abiding by clothing guidelines. Volunteers must all be 16 years or older (no kids please). 

What to bring: Volunteers are encouraged to bring water and sunscreen. Please leave valuables at home or locked in a vehicle. 

Lunch: Habitat does not provide lunch. Volunteers are welcome to bring a lunch or go off site to eat lunch. If your group would like recommendations of lunch options that can cater to the worksite, we can provide those. Tables and chairs will be available to eat at on the site.

Habitat will provide water and all the tools and materials needed for the workday. 
 
Weather: In the event of rain, the volunteer day will be canceled. Our apologies for any inconvenience. You may check in with Volunteer Coordinator Ariana (ariana@sbhabitat.org) the day of the event if you are unsure of anything.
 

This coming Sunday, October 15th, we will be holding a Loads of Love event for people experiencing homelessness that need the financial assistance to launder their clothes. We've had some large groups these past months and are thankful for the provision of financial resources and volunteers. It will take place at the usual location, the House of Laundry at 310 N. Milpas. We start checking in the first customer at 1:00 PM. Feel free to bring friends and take advantage of this opportunity to educate youth about service to others. 

Loads of Love is a way of caring for people who are struggling financially by assisting them to launder their own clothes. Loads of Love serves people that are living on the streets, in vehicles, in shelters or living with multiple families in a single family dwelling due to financial hardship. People served meet the definition of someone without a home, are food insecure, and live in poverty.

What Occurs? People in need of assistance are informed of regular opportunities to clean their clothes free of charge at local laundromats. Upon arriving at the laundromat, they are met by caring community volunteers that provide the money and laundry detergent needed to launder their clothes. Volunteers also focus on building relationships and provide a human connection often not experienced by those who live in poverty. Once trust is developed, volunteers are able to offer participants additional resources to meet other life needs.

The Loads of Love project would not exist without the generosity of numerous volunteers willing to give up some of their valuable time to provide for others in need. Even a couple hours of time committed to a project by any one individual, when coupled with commitments from other volunteers, can have amazing results. Special thanks to the many generous community members who donate their time and financial resources to assist our community need. 100% of the donations for this project support the costs of laundering clothes.

Additional information is available at: www.loadsoflovesb.org

For questions, contact Tom Spadaro (Volunteer Coordinator)
director@genuineconcern.org  805-680-8443

Dear Friends,

Tuesday, September 26th, is FMCSB's next opportunity to provide dinner and make sack lunches for all the residents of Transition House - usually about 55 people, more than half of which are children. We will need the following items for the meals. Please let me know if you would like to provide any of these items and drop them off at the church or my house 1166 Harbor Hills Drive by Sunday September 24th. My cell number is 805-450-0711. Cash donations are always welcome as well! You can get these to me or put them in the offering plate church marked "Transition House".

Items needed:
2 dozen dinner rolls X3
24 home baked cookies or small cupcakes X4
4 loaves sandwich bread for lunches X2
2 lbs sliced turkey or ham lunch meat X4
2 lbs sliced cheese for sandwiches X4
35 packaged sweet snacks X2
20 apples or other individual fruit for lunches X4
24 16oz bottles of water X3
24 100% fruit juice boxes X3

Thank you for your contributions!

Tracy Richardson

TRANSITION HOUSE

Since 1984, Transition House has developed a successful strategy for capable and motivated families to permanently regain self-sufficiency. The strategy is based on the understanding that the root cause of family homelessness is poverty. There may be other contributing factors, but underlying it all is poverty.
Transition House offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, and long-term affordable rental housing as well as a full continuum of anti-poverty services. The goal is to provide a realistic and lasting solution to poverty-based family homelessness.

Each year Transition House helps more than 700 community members – 350 of who use their three-stage housing program and services; the balance receives support through their homelessness prevention program. At least 90% of Transition House’s clients are our neighbors – they come from the greater Santa Barbara area.

At Free Methodist Church, we are honored to provide dinner and sack lunches for the residents of Transition House, 6 times each year. We are happy to accept specific food donations for the meals and cash donations.

Educator Connections ~ Teacher Gathering

If you are a local teacher or staff member in our public/private schools, you are invited to an afternoon of encouragement, inspiration and a chance to meet with and pray with colleagues for the 2017-18 school year. Join us at Educator Connections, hosted by Westmont College's Education Department, on Monday, September 25 from 4:00 - 5:15 p.m. at Coast Community Church of the Nazarene, 4973 Via Los Santos, Santa Barbara. Direct questions to hbergthold@westmont.edu

Loads of Love is a way of caring for people who are struggling financially by assisting them to launder their own clothes. Loads of Love serves people that are living on the streets, in vehicles, in shelters or living with multiple families in a single family dwelling due to financial hardship. People served meet the definition of someone without a home, are food insecure, and live in poverty.

What Occurs? People in need of assistance are informed of regular opportunities to clean their clothes free of charge at local laundromats. Upon arriving at the laundromat, they are met by caring community volunteers that provide the money and laundry detergent needed to launder their clothes. Volunteers also focus on building relationships and provide a human connection often not experienced by those who live in poverty. Once trust is developed, volunteers are able to offer participants additional resources to meet other life needs.

The Loads of Love project would not exist without the generosity of numerous volunteers willing to give up some of their valuable time to provide for others in need. Even a couple hours of time committed to a project by any one individual, when coupled with commitments from other volunteers, can have amazing results. Special thanks to the many generous community members who donate their time and financial resources to assist our community need. 100% of the donations for this project support the costs of laundering clothes.

Additional information is available at: www.loadsoflovesb.org

For questions, contact Tom Spadaro (Volunteer Coordinator)
director@genuineconcern.org  805-680-8443

Day of Caring

An opportunity to team up with our community to serve our city! This annual event put on by United Way is a great chance for us to positively impact local organizations with a few hours of our time.

Please sign up by emailing Pastor Nikki (nikki@fmcsb.org). 
Registration deadline is September 13th! 

Loads of Love is a way of caring for people who are struggling financially by assisting them to launder their own clothes. Loads of Love serves people that are living on the streets, in vehicles, in shelters or living with multiple families in a single family dwelling due to financial hardship. People served meet the definition of someone without a home, are food insecure, and live in poverty.

What Occurs? People in need of assistance are informed of regular opportunities to clean their clothes free of charge at local laundromats. Upon arriving at the laundromat, they are met by caring community volunteers that provide the money and laundry detergent needed to launder their clothes. Volunteers also focus on building relationships and provide a human connection often not experienced by those who live in poverty. Once trust is developed, volunteers are able to offer participants additional resources to meet other life needs.

The Loads of Love project would not exist without the generosity of numerous volunteers willing to give up some of their valuable time to provide for others in need. Even a couple hours of time committed to a project by any one individual, when coupled with commitments from other volunteers, can have amazing results. Special thanks to the many generous community members who donate their time and financial resources to assist our community need. 100% of the donations for this project support the costs of laundering clothes.

Additional information is available at: www.loadsoflovesb.org

For questions, contact Tom Spadaro (Volunteer Coordinator)
director@genuineconcern.org  805-680-8443

Tuesday, July 25th is our next opportunity to serve dinner and make lunch for the residents of Transition House. If you would like to donate food, please email or call Mary Turley to ask her what she still needs.  

Monetary donations are also welcome and can be designated “for Transition House” on an envelope for cash or on your check in the offering.

Contact Mary Turley:  805-636-4671 or sbmermaid1@gmail.com

TRANSITION HOUSE

Since 1984, Transition House has developed a successful strategy for capable and motivated families to permanently regain self-sufficiency. The strategy is based on the understanding that the root cause of family homelessness is poverty. There may be other contributing factors, but underlying it all is poverty.
Transition House offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, and long-term affordable rental housing as well as a full continuum of anti-poverty services. The goal is to provide a realistic and lasting solution to poverty-based family homelessness.

Each year Transition House helps more than 700 community members – 350 of who use their three-stage housing program and services; the balance receives support through their homelessness prevention program. At least 90% of Transition House’s clients are our neighbors – they come from the greater Santa Barbara area.

At Free Methodist Church, we are honored to provide dinner and sack lunches for the residents of Transition House, 6 times each year. We are happy to accept specific food donations for the meals and cash donations.

For more information contact:
Sheryl Kelly
Email: sherylmkelly@gmail.com

Red Cross Blood Drive

The need for blood donations in Santa Barbara County is always present. We are partnering with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive in our Upper Fellowship Room on July 25th between 1 and 7 pm.

To sign up, visit redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code: freemethodistSB.

For questions, contact Sarah Kass (sarskass@gmail.com)

Loads of Love is a way of caring for people who are struggling financially by assisting them to launder their own clothes. Loads of Love serves people that are living on the streets, in vehicles, in shelters or living with multiple families in a single family dwelling due to financial hardship. People served meet the definition of someone without a home, are food insecure, and live in poverty.

What Occurs? People in need of assistance are informed of regular opportunities to clean their clothes free of charge at local laundromats. Upon arriving at the laundromat, they are met by caring community volunteers that provide the money and laundry detergent needed to launder their clothes. Volunteers also focus on building relationships and provide a human connection often not experienced by those who live in poverty. Once trust is developed, volunteers are able to offer participants additional resources to meet other life needs.

The Loads of Love project would not exist without the generosity of numerous volunteers willing to give up some of their valuable time to provide for others in need. Even a couple hours of time committed to a project by any one individual, when coupled with commitments from other volunteers, can have amazing results. Special thanks to the many generous community members who donate their time and financial resources to assist our community need. 100% of the donations for this project support the costs of laundering clothes.

Additional information is available at: www.loadsoflovesb.org

For questions, contact Tom Spadaro (Volunteer Coordinator)
director@genuineconcern.org  805-680-8443