In a partnership with Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), the California-Pacific Conference would like to provide up to 5,000 welcome kits over the next several months. For the most part, the product for the kits will be provided by the Cal-Pac Conference.
Our local churches in the North, East, and West districts are asked to act as an organizer for their congregations, who will put the kits together at home and then return completed kits to the church for those in need in Los Angeles county. In addition, we are asking for churches to look into their food pantry ministries to see if they have any of the items they would be willing to donate to the cause.
Each district will designate a couple of drop-off/pickup destinations where goods may be taken or picked up. Once the kits are assembled, we will work out a schedule of pick up so they may be delivered to LAHSA.
The kits should include the following:
- sturdy bag like a tote or drawstring backpack
- a kind note of encouragement
- toiletries (toothbrush/paste, lotion, soap, deodorant, lip balm, etc.)
- journal or notebook with writing utensils
- snacks (pretzels, popcorn, chips, dried fruit, granola bars, etc.)
- two to three activity items (movies, books, Sudoku, puzzle, cards, knitting, hand weights, etc.)
- new socks
This list is not a strict requirement and organizations and individuals can alter them as they see fit, as long as no gatherings are encouraged among assembling groups. The items on the list can also be expanded. For instance, face masks may be added. (If a church has home sewers, perhaps it can produce masks to be donated to the project.)
For questions, the contact persons for the districts are as follows:
- North District: Rev. Sandie Richards (sandie.richards@gmail.com; 323.336.2490)
- East District: Rev. Eric Schmidt (umcpastorschmidt@gmail.com; 909.984.7100)
- West District: Rev. Mark Nakagawa (westdistrict@calpacumc.org; 562.429.1441)
Thank you for your willingness to help and contribute to be in ministry with those at risk from the COVID-19 virus.
