Serving Our Community
Compassion in action
ALL HANDS ON DECK
FOOD PANTRY
Bayside Presbyterian Church maintains a Food Pantry that includes nonperishable canned goods, cereals, pasta and sauces, peanut butter/jelly, soap, paper products, etc. The pantry is stocked using donations received from the congregation at the Whole Family of God combined worship service each month. We also get help when the Cub Scouts or Lions Club collect nonperishables from annual food drives, and from monthly donations from Presbyterian Women (or circles).
Our church office accepts calls for grocery assistance from families in need five days a week. The calls are usually restricted to four surrounding zip codes, but every six weeks we receive requests from the Virginia Beach Department of Social Services.
A Food Pantry volunteer “shopper” is assigned to each day—they fill grocery bags with food from the Pantry, and shop at the grocery store to augment with perishable items (eggs, milk, bread, etc.) so that our family in need receives a hearty breakfast, lunch, and dinner for several days. It usually takes just 1-2 hours to be a shopper. You can choose how often and when you volunteer. Shoppers are provided with basic shopping guidelines and sample menus.
The family picks up their groceries by 3 pm each day through the church office. If you would like to be a shopper (we provide training!), please contact Lynne Owen, ljowco@cox.net, We are in need of volunteers.
SPRING GIFTS
EASTER BASKETS
Donations from the congregation are used to fill Easter Baskets for children who might not receive a visit from the Easter Bunny. Each basket is filled with a chocolate bunny, stuffed animal or small toy, and wrapped candy. Baskets are wrapped and decorated with colorful ribbons. Most baskets are given to St. Columba Ecumenical Ministries. Donation boxes are placed in the Atrium and Fellowship Hall in February/March of each year. If you would like to help sort and/or deliver the supplies, contact Lynne Owen, ljowco@cox.net, or Connie Schreiber, connieschreiber@yahoo.com
STRONG START
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Prior to each school year, bins are placed in the Atrium and near the kitchen to collect school supplies for children who might not have all they need to start the school year. We help students at local schools such as Diamond Springs, Newtown, Pembroke, and Bettie F. Williams Elementary, and Bayside Middle. We also support St. Columba Ecumenical Ministries.
Would you like to help? Contact Connie Schreiber, connieschreiber@yahoo.com or Lynne Owen, ljowco@cox.net.
WARMTH iN THE COLD
WINTER SHELTER
For one week each winter, PIN ministries brings approximately 60-80 homeless men and women to our church for a warm place to sleep, a hearty breakfast and dinner, and to receive donated clothing and toiletries. We call this “Winter Shelter.” If you would like to help with a meal (cook, serve, or clean up), set up and/or staff the clothing room, or donate clothing, toiletries or food, contact Connie Schreiber, connieschreiber@yahoo.com or Lynne Owen, ljowco@cox.net.
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ALL THE FIXINGS
THANKSGIVING BASKETS
Bayside gives out turkeys and all the fixings to needy families at Thanksgiving. Each November, with help from our Scout troops, we collect donations of Thanksgiving food items, help sort food items, help fill Thanksgiving bags decorated by our preschool students, and hand out bags to families who come to the church for pick up. For more information contact the church office (460-1188).
MERRY & BRIGHT
ANGEL TREE
Our Angel Tag program provides Christmas gifts to children and a few adults. St. Columba Ecumenical Ministries, Mile High Kids, and some requests from the surrounding Bayside community provide the names and gift requests. We put each gift request on an “Angel Tag” and make it available in the Atrium on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving. The gift is purchased by the volunteer “angel," gift wrapped with the tag taped to the outside of the package, and returned to the church office by the date indicated. Gifts are then sorted and delivered to the requesting agency, and the agency (in turn) delivers the package to the family prior to Christmas. If you would like to help, contact Lynne Owen, ljowco@cox.net.
WARMTH iN THE COLD
BLOOD DRIVE
Bayside Presbyterian Church is part of the Bayside Ecumenical Blood Drive project along with Baylake United Methodist Church and Haygood United Methodist Church. The blood drive is held at one of these churches every other month starting in January. BPC hosts it January, May and September. It is usually 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm on the first Tuesday of the month except if it conflicts with elections and is then moved to the second Tuesday.
Four volunteers are needed to help at each drive. Contact the church office if you’d like to volunteer.
ADVENT
LIVING NATIVITY
The Living Nativity is an annual event held the second weekend of December. It brings the Christmas story to life with live animals, caroling, and refreshments. Our Living Nativity has been a tradition in the Thoroughgood neighborhood for over 30 years. Join us in experiencing the Birth of Jesus in a unique way.
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