Opportunities to help a Sister Church

We recently received requests from Park Place Baptist Church to come alongside of them and help with a few needs that they have. Let's begin praying about these and see what God might do!

1.) Would your missions team be interested in putting together Thanksgiving and Christmas "baskets" for distribution to Park Place people? We have already been getting requests. I called the Salvation Army, because someone told me they were a good resource, and they are not able to do them this year. A basket might include a turkey or small ham, instant mashed potatoes, StoveTop-type stuffing mix, canned vegetables, rolls and maybe a frozen pie, Mrs. Smith's-type. Any number would be a huge help.

2.) Would your folks have an interest in running a food drive for us? Our food pantry continues to grow. We have been relying on the FoodBank of Southeast Virginia's Fresh Foods program, but the grocery from which we pick up has been giving less and less. Produce season is winding down, too. Most Thursdays we have at least 50 folks come for food, and at the end of the month, 75 or 80. I had to turn a few away last week, and this week, I know I will not have enough food. A food drive would be a wonderful way to help us, and maybe we could have a big Saturday giveaway or something similar.

3.) Bicycles. Would it be possible for someone on your missions team to collect some good used bikes for our Heaven On Wheels bike ministry? I am attaching a flyer, and perhaps someone could post it somewhere even if these ideas don't pan out. We continue to get people looking for transportation vouchers, cash to get to bus so they can go to the doctor or a job.

4.) Field Day. Here we are in the inner city, right in the middle of the neighborhood, and our building is falling down. We would love to do some painting, interior and exterior. We would love to do some plastering, roof patching, and to display the beautiful stained-glass windows by getting the old covers off of them. I wonder if there is a Habitat For Humanity for churches. The Operation Blessing team that recently helped Spartan Village over by NSU is what we need here. Could anyone from First Baptist pitch in?