Outreach

We shine—just as those who came before us. These are the ministries that started with fearless believers of William Street Church and members of our community. And these are the ministries that will change the world one life at a time.

Each Sunday we share a “mission moment” in worship and collect a loose coin offering for specific ministries. Everyone, including the children and youth, are encouraged to look for ways to reach out to neighbors in need. Take a look at some of the ministries that started with God’s guidance and a few willing hearts at William Street. We’d love to have you join us as we serve as God’s hands and feet in the world.

Common Ground Free Store

The Common Ground Free Store ministry provides basic needs for free to anyone in a caring environment with compassion and dignity. Volunteers are needed to work shifts assisting shoppers, organizing donations, or serving meals. Food Providers are needed each day the store is open. (Deliver food in disposable containers during open hours and include reheating instructions.) Over 100 meals are served each day the store is open, so any way you can contribute to meals is appreciated. Any of these ideas would help:

• A batch of cookies
• A pot of soup
• A casserole

See https://commongroundfreestore.org/ to sign up to volunteer or for more information.

Donations may be dropped off at 193 E Central Ave during operating hours. Currently, there is a need for:

• New packages of socks and underwear (all sizes)
• Children’s shoes
• Men and teen boys jeans, casual pants, and cargo pants
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes

William Street is scheduled to provide 4 -6 volunteers on the second Saturday of the month from 1:00-3:00 (after the store open hours) to sort donations, restock, and prepare the store for next open day. Contact Bonnie Ristau (740-972-4059, bristau7@gmail.com) to volunteer for this day of service with our church family. William Street has been involved with Common Ground Free Store since its inception. Read more about the history of this partnership here.

Family Promise of Delaware County

Family Promise is a 24-hour emergency shelter and rapid rehousing referral center. William Street is part of a network of congregations that meet homeless families’ immediate needs for shelter, meals, and comprehensive support services. Volunteers may serve and share their gifts by providing meals and/or staying in the Family Promise building (Promise House) overnight when homeless families are there.

William Street supports Family Promise approximately 4 times a year. Anyone who is interested in providing a meal or being a daytime or overnight “host” at the house during one of our support weeks can contact the coordinator, Bob Tannehill, by emailing office@williamstreetumc.org. New volunteers are always welcome!

Promise Room

In partnership with our Family Promise friends, we created “Promise Room” to collect household items for families leaving Promise House for a new home of their own. You are invited to share you gifts as you participate. Consider donating new/gently-used and clean household items.  Please keep in mind that these are gifts for folks who are beginning anew, and only donate items that you would give to a dear friend or family member.  As you make your donation, we encourage you to pray for the family who will receive it.

Items that help families begin anew include:

• Kitchen upplies (dish sets, pots, pans, silverware, etc.)
• Bedroom items (sheets, blankets, pillows)
• Bathroom supplies (shower curtain, towels, bath mat, toiletry items)

Please contact Bonnie Ristau (740-972-4059, bristau7@gmail.com) to share your gifts and participate. Contact Bonnie:

• to make arrangements to deliver your donations
• if you’d like to be a part of the “movers” – helping to deliver items to our families’ new homes
• if you’d like to help with the organizing of the room
• if you’d like to assist with meeting donors and/ or families who are moving into  permanent housing

Second Friday Community Meal

This community meal, served at Andrews House, provides a well-balanced meal at no charge to anyone who wants or needs it. William Street was instrumental in starting this ministry in 1996 and has continued to be a supporter ever since. Even though diners have not come in person during COVID, take-out meals are provided and those who continue to prepare meals have become a community of their own. Andrews House staff are always looking for folks who are willing to cook meals, package meals, or help with cleaning up. If you are interested in helping, please call Andrews House at (740)369-4520 to sign up.

Birthday Baskets

These are gift baskets, prepared with Unity Community Center, celebrating birthdays for children and older adults. Donations may be placed in the bin on the church porch or Donations may be placed in the bin on the church porch or placed on designated tables at Sunday services. Currently, we are collecting:

• ‘Variety packs’ of individually bagged snacks (like those used for school lunches) — especially needed!
• Individually wrapped candies (or small boxes) — especially needed! 
• Individual packages of crackers — especially needed!
• Small stuffed animals 
• Packs of festive-looking tissue paper
• Large colorful bows to wrap the baskets
• Individual (or small clusters) of artificial flowers
• Decorative/scented candles in jars
• Small packages of cookies (i.e. Oreos, chocolate chip)
• Birthday cards for adults and children

For more information, contact Art and Nancy Miller by emailing office@williamstreetumc.org.

Food For Friends Pantry

This food pantry has adapted to changing COVID circumstances by providing food donations to:

• Family Promise families moving into their new homes,
• Andrews House, a close partner, who provides food to folks who drop in and through their Blessing Box,
• Delaware City Schools Family Resource Center,
• Unity Community Center,
• First Presbyterian, who continued to offer meals during COVID,
• Anyone who needed food.

Donations may be placed in the bin on the church porch or placed on designated tables at Sunday services. Please, no glass jars! Currently, we are collecting:

• ready-to-eat canned meals (spaghetti and meatballs, ravioli, beef stew)
• peanut butter (not the huge jar)
• jelly (plastic jars or squeezables)
• boxes of cereal (regular size, not the huge size)

UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)

Involved in God’s work in more than 60 countries, UMCOR addresses many needs, especially disaster relief, in a variety of settings and cultures. To contribute to UMCOR, you may donate through WSUMC (indicate either in the memo line of your check or the “other” line if you give online) to have your donations included in your annual giving statement from WSUMC. You may also donate directly to UMCOR on their website: https://umcmission.org/umcor/.

IN NEED?

Below are some Delaware County resource/assistance programs.

Partnered with: