Suggestions for Sharing Our Abundance

Whether you're looking for a one time commitment, or ready to get more deeply involved, whether you'd like to give time, or money, or material goods, whether you'd like to work with others at St. Marks or on your own, there are many ways to get involved.

Time/Talent

Ongoing/major commitments

St. Marks Programs:

• Participate in a program (see program list on Outreach Board -- Honduras trip leader, CHGM mentor or tutor)
• Be a program leader or co-leader
• Serve on the Outreach board

Outreach on your Own:

• Volunteer in your community -- motivate someone else to join you for double results
• Serve on a board; lead a fundraiser
• Tutor at your local school (or SEED Public Charter School)
• Foster parent

One-time/smaller commitments

St. Marks Programs:

• Participate in existing programs (Soup Kitchen, shelter host, clean up and repair Partner Arms apartment, host a racial reconciliation dialogue, holiday hospital visits, lead an annual program (food drives, pedals for progress, home repair day, etc.) - See list for more info!)
• Propose and lead something new; Facilitate a discussion

Outreach on your own:

• Volunteer in your community; motivate others to join you
• Help a neighbor with shopping, gardening, repairs, a visit
• Event support (marathon, bike race, etc.)
• River/neighborhood clean ups

Money

St. Marks Programs:

• Pay your annual pledge (this supports existing programs)
• Additional gifts to outreach fund (supports new programs and emergency needs) to honor anniversaries, birthdays, etc
• Safeway gift cards for CHGM/Samaritan/Friendship House, give directly to any of the programs you value most

Outreach on your own:

• Look at your family giving plan each year. Donations are always needed -- most non-profits feel a cash flow pinch in August and November
• Consider giving appreciated stock
• Include non-profits in your will
• Celebrate holidays, family and friends with “gifts of purpose” by donating to a charity in their name
• Give panhandlers and local community agencies food gift certificates (e.g. Safeway cards)
• Sponsor a child for summer camp (through CHGM or your local school)

Material Goods

St. Marks programs:

• Samaritan Ministry food offering (weekly)
• CHGM Thanksgiving and Easter Baskets (Nov/Mar); family sponsorship (Dec)
• Partner Arms furniture drive (every 2 years)

Outreach on your own:

• Recycle gently used clothing:
• Toiletries and cleaning supplies for shelters (TACTs, CHGM, etc.)
• Recycle gently used furniture and household items: Goodwill and Salvation Army will pickup. United Way Gifts in Kind will list and let you decide who to give it to
• Books: Check with your local library or school
• Cars: Many charities will take used cars -- CHGM and Salvation Army are good places to start

Information and comparisons of Non-profits, for giving on your own: www.guidestar.org

Other Resources

Local multi-service non-profits:

Capitol Hill Group Ministry (CHGM)

info@chgm.net

Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington

www.samaritanministry.com
202/889-7702

For donation pickups:

Goodwill

www.goodwill.org
202/636-4225

Salvation Army

www.salvationarmy-usaeast.org

Gifts in Kind (United Way)

www.giftsinkind.org/donate/

Greater DC Cares

www.dc-cares.org
202/777-4440

Single Volunteers of DC

www.singlevolunteers.org