LOCAL MISSION
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Serving the Homeless by Paul Estes
Every time we serve a meal at the Watkins Shelter the value of what we do is multiplied by our Lord several times over. First our association with the Food Bank allows us to more than quadruple the value of dollars we spend on food we are able to purchase with the donations we receive. Meat, for example, is donated to the Food Bank, and the Food Bank charges only a nominal "maintenance fee" of 18 cents a pound (to pay for their expenses of handling and storing the meat in their freezers.) There is no charge at all for other food stuff like fresh produce, milk, or eggs when they are available. Every Thursday morning we usually return from the Food Bank with 300 to 700 pounds of food that has cost us as little as 12 to 30 dollars.
But it doesn't stop there. Every time we serve a meal at the Watkins shelter, we fill out a form from the New Day Center that UMOM then turns into the City of Phoenix. This form first assigns a dollar value of $10 for every volunteer hour used to prepare and serve the meal at the shelter. On the average the total hours contributed by everyone from Central UMC from shopping for food on Thursday, to preparing on Saturday afternoon, to cooking on Sunday afternoon, to serving at the shelter Sunday evening, to scrubbing the pots and pans afterwards totals up to about 35 hours. That translates into $350 that UMOM is credited for their portion of providing services to the homeless families and women each time we serve a meal at the shelter.
But it doesn't stop there.
The City also requests the providers to likewise submit an estimate of the full "value" of the food served. The full value of the food is estimated at what it would cost to go to a retail store and purchase the quality and quantity of food we serve to as many as 150 people each night. For us the value of the food for the meal is multiplied from maybe 50 dollars to 250 dollars (based on average retail prices) or more each time we serve at the shelter. Thus, because of those who contribute their time and talents to prepare and serve the meals, and the generosity of our Lord to help provide the food, UMOM is credited by the City of Phoenix with providing 500 dollars or more toward their portion of caring for the homeless at the Watkins Shelter every night we serve a meal.
That means each month Central UMC is credited with helping UMOM contribute to Serving the Homeless at the Watkins Shelter in a way that translates into over 1500 dollars a month towards the Mission of the United Methodist Church and helps UMOM fulfill their agreement with the City to operate the Watkins Shelter. Our contributions of time and money are truly multiplied each time. Yet none of this would be possible without the numerous and generous provisions our Lord has made possible. To Him be the praise and glory for ever and ever. AMEN |
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Dr. Mark Stephan
New Medical Director at Wesley
Wesley Community Center is pleased to announce that Centro de Salud has its first medical director! Beginning in February, Dr. Mark Stephan will provide diabetes management, a family practice clinic, and will be working within the community to determine further needs. In addition to his part-time work at Wesley, Dr. Stephan is assistant director of the residency program at Banner Good Samaritan's Family Practice Center; he has been involved with Centro de Salud since the early planning stages in 2002.
Since August 28, 2003, Centro de Salud has assisted over 156 uninsured, under-insured and low-income patients through its women's clinic (Dr. Mark Stephan) and pediatric clinic (Karen Eynon, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner). |
Central UMC helps homeless or hungry people make contact with the Salvation Army, Catholic charities like Vincent St. Paul, or our United Methodist Outreach Ministry at 3324 E Van Buren. We have small packaged food boxes to distribute or bus passes to the above places are available. Every Sunday we collect donations of canned and packaged food on the patio. This is taken to UMOM to help feed homeless people. Further, during the winter months we feed the homeless at the city shelter on Watkins St. in South Phoenix. A volunteer opportunity; different groups in the church prepare food and serve about 200 people every Sunday evening.
Habitat for Humanity
In cooperation with other United Methodist churches we have built a Habitat house each year for a homeless family in South Ranch in Phoenix. That area has now been filled. Our project for this year as of May 30th has not yet been decided. Keep in touch with this page for more information about the project for this year. We can always use volunteers of hands or money.
Wesley Community Center
WCC has served the needs of people in south Phoenix since 1950. It is located on 10th St. and Buckeye. 70% of the homes in that area are substandard. The problems include poverty, illiteracy, a high rate of school dropouts, substance abuse, unemployment and crime. They have courses in English, provide children and youth programs, social services, distribute clothing etc. They are asking for $25 donations to help a youth attend their eight week program, including classes, crafts, sports, breakfast, lunch and supper. They have 120 children and youth registered as of May 30th.
United Methodist Outreach Ministry
UMOM serves over 10,000 individuals annually. UMOM meets the needs of people who have suddenly been made homeless. They help these families to gain training to be re-employed while furnishing them with housing and providing social services. They provide permanent housing to some seriously mental ill persons. Last year their food bank served over 90,000 meals to hungry families. Please consider making contributions of food to our food barrel.
(For additional information, phone 602 275-7852, or visit their website at www.umom.org)
To learn about our mission outreach beyond the boarder of the United States, click on Border to Border at the top of the screen.
