Outreach Programs

NORTH FULTON COMMUNITY CHARITIES
North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC), an organization begun in 1983, provides assistance to N. Fulton residents in need in many ways – they provide monetary help, they sponsor a Food Pantry, a Clothes Closet, and run a program to adopt and provide assistance to families during holidays, and much more. St. David’s Men’s Club has sponsored an Annual Horse Show at a local equestrian park for over 30 years. They have donated thousands of dollars in proceeds from the Horse Show since the NFCC began. Several times a year, St. David’s parishioners become “Brownbaggers!” The NFCC distributes 200 bags of groceries to families in need every day. The church donates brown grocery bags full of canned goods, non-perishables, detergent, peanut butter, etc., brought in by the parishioners. St. David’s gifts of food provide needed food supplies for more than 550 families a month. During Lent 2006, the 4th and 5th grade Sunday School students explored outreach by participating in projects for NFCC. They collected 200 bags of groceries from parishioners to donate to NFCC, which is the same number that they distribute in a day. On the final collection Sunday, all 200 bags were placed around the altar and blessed during the morning services. These students also planted a “Row for the Hungry” in a sustainable “victory garden.”

Every year, St. David’s pledges to support NFCC’s Holiday Families program. The church helps approximately 40 families by providing gifts for the families, and also providing grocery gift certificates. Each family has an Angel poster put up in the church’s parish hall, and on the poster are stars describing each gift item a member of the family has asked for. Parishioners pull a star off and bring the item described back to a collection area in the church. In 2005, a tractor-trailer was loaded with 329 gifts. St. David’s also provides financial support each month for NFCC, as well as being committed to donations and fundraising for their capital campaign drive.

St. David’s Outreach Committee started a new program in 2006 called “From Drop-Off to Pick-Up,” a volunteer program for NFCC’s Food Pantry and Thrift Shop. This program offers church members with children in Preschool a unique opportunity to participate in outreach while their children are in Preschool. St. David’s has a volunteer at NFCC’s Food Pantry or Thrift Shop almost 50% of the days the center is open. The church also has regular volunteers there every Tuesday and Friday in the Food Pantry.

When NFCC held its first Annual “Rise ‘n Run” Road Race in September 2006, a 5K/1K fundraiser event for its Capital Campaign – St. David’s parishioners volunteered in the children’s area with face painting.

HOMESTRETCH
For many years, St. David’s has been actively involved with Homestretch, the Housing Initiative of North Fulton. Founded in 1991, Homestretch provides short-term transitional housing for homeless families and helps them get back on their feet by offering individualized support and mentoring. Parishioners spend hours getting the house ready with repairs, painting, etc., before the family moves in. During their stay in the house, they get help from St. David’s mentors with finding a job, balancing checkbooks, etc.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
In recent years, St. David’s Outreach Committee has participated with Habitat for Humanity, North Central Georgia. In September 2006, to commemorate the church’s 50th Anniversary, St. David’s participated in an ecumenical home building project with other area churches. St. David’s donated $10,000 to help build this house in Mountain Park, GA.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
The Child Development Association (CDA), in Roswell, benefits from financial support, volunteers, and donations from St. David’s parishioners. Donations include diapers and baby food, for example. The CDA began 39 years ago in Roswell, prompted by the death of a 2 yr. old child from malnutrition. This private, non-profit organization is dedicated to serving the needs of disadvantaged preschool children in the North Fulton community.
2006 Outreach Ministries and Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in any volunteer opportunities with Outreach, contact Scott Bast, Outreach Chairman. You are also invited to attend the monthly Outreach meetings usually held the 3rd Thursday of each month, or check the church calendar (click on "calendar" from the home page) to check on meeting dates.