So what were all those slideshows about?

Well. . . let me tell you:

Urban Farming
(http://www.urbanfarming.org/ for more info):
Urban Farming is a non-profit organization that seeks to eliminate hunger in impoverished urban areas by optimizing the production of unused land for food and alternative energy. Among their objectives is to increase diversity and community by motivating youth and seniors to work together educating others and maintaining the garden. In the St Louis area, Urban Farming partnered with Starbucks and The Home Depot to fund the project and we, through a connection at Starbucks, were able to serve as well. We had more than 10 volunteers with us working to break ground, dig trenches, and plant everything from okra to watermelons. We are also scheduled to provide occasional support in the upkeep of the garden.


OASIS Food Pantry
(http://www.oasisfoodpantry.com/ for more info):
Serving as a member on the Board of Directors, I was able to secure a regular shift for SENTralized to staff while assisting in additional monthly openings. OASIS serves over 300 families each month and provides food as well as personal care/hygiene items. Our clients range from ongoing, long-term needs, to very temporary, emergency help while they get back on their feet. God has really opened opportunities here to extend a loving hand, a warm smile and a trunk full of groceries to so many people. Our clients remember us and just tonight, as I am writing this, told us how much more comfortable they feel just being around us. Our service at OASIS will remain on our Outbreak schedule as we volunteer the third Thursday of every month and every fifth Saturday. We also have the opportunity to assist in the unloading and stocking of perishable items that we receive from local grocery stores on an ongoing basis. This has been one thing that Sedona and I (Jana) really enjoy doing together.

Roofing Christ’s Church
(http://www.celebrating.org/ for more info)
In June, we had the opportunity to help put a new roof on the church where we were meeting. We rented their building on Saturday evenings for our meals and service and have really grown to appreciate the mentorship and encouragement of their pastors. When we learned that they would be roofing the entire church building without any professional assistance, relying only on volunteer help (some of which came from out of state) we offered our hands as well. About 8 of us pitched in to help get that roof on with very conscious effort to further the relationship between church bodies and combat the competitive nature of churches in our area.

Debbie’s House
(http://www.bridgewaycounseling.com/ for more info):
Bridgeway Counseling Services, a prominent treatment center in St Charles County, houses women in domestic abuse situations and substance abuse recovery. One of their facilities that houses up to 20 women, was in serious disrepair. Over the last few months we have worked to repaint, repair and refurbish two units in particular. We have provided days of manual labor as well as material donations of bathroom fixtures, towels, rugs and a shower curtain. A primary objective in working to restore the accommodations there is to demonstrate that the women living there are valuable, are loved, by God and by extension, us. We have established an excellent relationship with the staff at Bridgeway and look forward to serving them in the future.