Mission and Outreach

Outreach is important at Mill Woods United Church and support is offered to a number of local and national agencies.  Listed below are some of our own Outreach Projects as well as Other Outreach Ministries the congregation supports.  Links to web-sites have been included when available in order to offer more information about the work these agencies are doing in our city, our country and globally.

The Food Bank 
Clothes Encounters of the Second Kind
Bread Run
Greater Edmonton Alliance
Seeing Things Clearly!
Stamps for Scriptures
Other Outreach Ministries

Food Bank
Mill Woods United Church is a participating member of the Edmonton (Gleaners) Food Bank.  We operate a depot in the Mill Woods community and work in cooperation with the Edmonton Food Bank to assist people lacking food security.  Clients must call the Main Food Bank offices at 425-4190 to request hampers.  Hampers are then available for pick-up at the church on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. 

The last Sunday of each month is designated as Food Bank Sunday.  Congregation members are asked to bring in non-perishable food items for the collection box.  Items such as canned meats & fish, canned vegetables & fruit, peanut butter, pastas & sauces, juice, cereal, powdered milk and treats are always welcome.  The Tuesday following the last Sunday all donations are forwarded to the Main Food Bank for distribution in hampers. 

We thank everyone who contributes to the operation of our Food Bank Depot by volunteering and by bringing in food donations.  You are living out the Mission Statement of the Edmonton Gleaners Association that states...

"To be stewards in the collection of surplus and donated food for the effective distribution, free of charge, to people in need in our community."

If you would like to know how you can get involved please contact the church office

Clothes Encounters of the Second Kind
Our Clothing bank has been in existence for a number of years, being the brain child of a group from the community who needed a place from which to operate.  Space was dedicated in the church building to house the operation which has been going strong ever since.

The Clothing Bank accepts donations of clean, gently used clothing for men, women and children.  The clothing is made available for anyone who needs it on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.  Donations can be dropped off at the church during office hours or brought to the church on Sunday mornings and left outside the Clothing Bank door (east loft room).

If you would like to volunteer to help with this project please contact the church office

Bread Run
Mill Woods United Church became involved with the Richfield Bread Run in October 2005 when the organizers found themselves short on volunteers. Since then more than 20 congregation members have worked on a rotating basis picking up bread and vegetables from local grocery stores and delivering it to the Richfield community site and then sorting the food once it arrives. Some of the food also goes to a shelter in Mill Woods for abused women. Leftovers are shared with immigrants from South American countries and a shelter for youth in danger. Bread is also taken to St. Elizabeth school for their breakfast program. This project is not just about the food though - it's about  giving - giving of one's self to someone less fortunate. These volunteers are always prepared to go the extra mile with an abundance of smiles and hugs to go around.

If you would like to volunteer to help with this project please contact the church office

Greater Edmonton Alliance
The Greater Edmonton Alliance (GEA) is an organization looking for new ways to explore justice issues in our society today. It recognizes that there are many pressures on families that need to be examined, and that a confrontational "us" vs. "them" approach to solving social issues does not work.

Members include the Al-Hadi Lebanese Community Organization, Edmonton Inner City Housing Society, Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre, various congregations from the Catholic, Anglican, Moravians and United Churches, as well as several local branches of the ATA to name a few. It is hoped that by having members who are from such a broad spectrum of society, that the perspective on issues will also be broad.

GEA provides free leadership training opportunities for its member groups to develop skills which can then be brought back to the member communities. A number of our members attended one of these sessions in February 2006.

Seeing Things Clearly!
We have been collecting old eyeglasses for a number of years. These eyeglasses are then taken to the Lion's Club for their Recycle for Sight program for distribution to the needy in developing countries. If you have old eyeglasses which you are no longer using, please leave them in the Eyeglass Box on the wall in the foyer near the Mission and Outreach bulletin board.

Stamps for Scriptures
Please help us to collect used stamps for the Canadian Bible Society. Cut out the stamps from the envelopes (approximately 1/4 to 1/2 an inch or 1 centimeter outside of the stamp) and leave them in the stamp box hanging on the wall in the foyer by the Mission and Outreach bulletin board.

The stamps that we collect are purchased by stamp collectors for $8.00 per kilogram. That money in turn goes directly into the translation, publication and distribution of Bibles.

Other Outreach Ministries we support include:

Bissell Centre  is a non-profit organization, and thus relies on the generosity of others to stay in operation. Follow the link to learn more about what Bissell Centre does, and how you can help make a difference in someone else's world.

Canadian Foodgrains Bank (A Christian Response to Hunger) Ending Hunger by supporting partnerships and activities overseas, influencing necessary changes in public policies, and deepening the involvement of Canadians.

Edmonton Food Bank  The Edmonton Gleaners Association, more commonly known as Edmonton's Food Bank, was formed in 1981. To glean means to gather by patient harvest. The original mandate of the organization was to gather food from the food industry, such as day-old bread and pastries, and turn this food over to soup kitchens and shelters.  Our work continues. By donating to Edmonton's Food Bank, you are helping over 135 groups assist people in need.

Inner City Pastoral Ministry is an interdenominational Christian Ministry of presence.  In partnership with community, and guided by the Spirit of God, we walk with the people of the Inner City of Edmonton.   

Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation  When inner-city people need help, the Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation (ECCCC) is there.  Its programs focus on the basics - food, housing, youth outreach, and employment training.  Since 1970, ECCCC has responded to existing and emerging needs as it pursues a simple, straight-forward mission:  to help people in Edmonton's inner city.  A registered non-profit charitable organization, ECCC is owned by its member churches:  All Saint's Anglican Cathedral, Augustana Lutheran Church, First Baptist Church, McDougall United Church and St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Basilica, and has an independent board of directors.

No Room in the Inn began in 1999 to inform congregations and parishes in the Edmonton area about the housing needs of people who are homeless or unable to find safe, affordable housing for themselves or their families.  The number of adults, youth and children who are without appropriate housing continues to climb in Edmonton.  In 1999 the fund was given to the Edmonton Inner City Housing Society who used it as a down payment on land on which they have built a 20 suite apartment for singles in the inner city.  In 2000 Urban Manor was the recipient and they were able to construct a new residence building for 75 men.  In 2001 The Handicapped Housing Society received the funds and built a 56 suite apartment building for handicapped individuals and families.  In 2002 the Wings of Providence received the fund and constructed a new building that can house 20 families in a safe and secure facility.  In 2003 Hope Mission was the recipient and is planning a new building that will provide residence for people with special needs.  The 2004 project will assist Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation (ECCCC) to build two low-cost facilities - a 12 unit and an 18 unit apartment building.

Habitat for Humanity is an international organization seeking to eliminate poverty housing worldwide. It has affiliates in over 79 countries and Habitat for Humanity Edmonton is its Edmonton affiliate.

Youth Emergency Shelter Society's mission is to give youth at risk a chance. YOU can help achieve this mission by becoming a volunteer. Whether you're available early mornings, late night, during the day or only on weekends, the Youth Emergency Shelter Society can accommodate. We offer a wide range of volunteer opportunities to suit a variety of needs, wants, skills and talents, and will work with you to make sure you're volunteer experience with YESS is fulfilling and rewarding.

The Healing Fund was originally established by General Council in 1994 as a five-year fund-raising and educational campaign (1995-1999) to address the impacts of residential schools on Aboriginal people. It now continues as one facet of the United Church's ongoing reconciliation work with Aboriginal people.

 Beads of Hope is an awareness raising, advocacy, and fundraising campaign the United Church has launched to respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Over the next two years (December 2002 - December 2004), it is hoped that:

• we will, together, take action to improve policies which impact the lives of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
• the church at all levels will increase its awareness of and engagement in HIV/AIDS related issues;
• $1,000,000 will be raised to support global partner responses to the HIV/AIDS crisis.