Open Pantry Collection
Our Thanksgiving Ingathering organization is Open Pantry of Greater Lowell.
At our Intergenerational Ingathering Service on Sunday November 24th we will be holding our annual food, toiletries and cash/check donations for Open Pantry in place of Share the Plate. At this service, all the money collected, along with the food and other items, will be donated to Open Pantry. NO ITEM OR AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL
Checks should be made out to Open Pantry of Greater Lowell
You can also donate on line at : https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/theopenpantry?code=webpage%2Dhelp9
In addition to our collection during the service, we will be collecting afterward the service from 11:30 to 12:30 at main church entrance on Westford Street. You can drive-up or drop off.
Open Pantry of Greater Lowell has been serving hungry people since 1981 and First Parish was one of the original initial supporters. Hunger is always present. Nutritious, non-perishable, unexpired, packaged food items are welcome. Examples include – but are not limited to
- canned fruits
- canned vegetables
- canned beef, turkey and chicken
- tuna
- pasta
- soups
- stews
- cereals
- powdered milk
- mac n cheese
- rice
- peanut butter
- beans
In addition, they distribute toiletries including:
- soap
- toilet paper
- tissues
- paper towels
- toothpaste
- shampoo
They may also provide
- diapers
- wipes
- baby formula
- baby food
and even cat/dog food when available.
Open Pantry has a very informative website: www.theopenpantry.org.
This year, – the Ingathering collection is a collaboration between CFAM, the Council on Faith in Action Ministry and Lifespan Faith Formation. If you have questions about the collection this year, please contact Dolores~ the Faith Formation Director dre@uuchelmsford.org 978-256-5133.
Share the Plate October 24
UUA Disaster Relief Fund
Our Share the Plate organization for October 27th is the UUA Disaster Fund. The scale of destruction in the wake of Hurricane Helene and Milton has been utterly devastating to many communities in the southeastern United States. Some Unitarian Universalist congregations have been seriously impacted and others are still trying to assess the damage. You can help support Unitarian Universalists and their communities as they recover from this storm by giving generously to the UUA’s Disaster Relief Fund.
If you are in the Sanctuary on the 10/27, and wish to write out a check, make it out to the UUA, with Disaster Relief in the memo line.
If you wish to donate online, go to https://www.uua.org/giving/disaster-reliefs
Share the Plate May
Our Share the Plate Organization for May is the International Institute of New England (IINE).
In addition to our regular collection, we will be also be collecting hygiene items such as:
- toothpaste
- razors
- deodorant
- shampoo
- conditioner
- body lotion
- cleaning solution
- laundry detergent.
IINE resettles hundreds of refugees each year who are fleeing persecution and conflict in their homelands. Their work with refugees forms the basis of their continuum of service. They also support asylees who are in the United States seeking political protection after fleeing persecution. These services include an Unaccompanied Children’s Program, which reunites unaccompanied Central American children with family members or sponsors living in the United States.
IINE is the oldest organization exclusively serving refugees and immigrants in New England. IINE welcomed Eastern Europeans in the 1920s and 1930s, persecuted people fleeing Europe after World War II, displaced persons from the former Soviet bloc and Cuba in the 1950s and 1960s, Cambodians and Vietnamese in the 1970s, and Central and South Americans and families from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa during the past several decades.
Members of First Parish and several other Churches and Temples in Chelmsford have been involved with IINE’s “Chelmsford Faith in Action Team” since 2021. The teams sets up apartments for new refugees, helps organize the IINE Lowell warehouse and does other tasks to help support IINE families.
If you are not in the service on the 26,you can donate online by following this link:
https://iinedev.wpenginepowered.com/get-involved/ways-to-give/donate/al
Share the Plate April
The Share the Plate organization for April is the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth (UUMFE).Â
In honor of Earth Day, and our Earth Day Service, we are moving Share the Plate to the third Sunday, April 21st and choosing an environmental action group as our organization.
The UUMFE works with congregations and individuals to provide the resources for the ministry, action, and connection necessary for Unitarian Universalists to collectively and effectively act to address environmental justice and the climate crisis.Â
If you won’t be in the service on April 21st, or will be attending from home, you can donate online at: https://www.uumfe.org
Share the Plate March
Our Share the Plate organization for March is Special Teams for Exceptional People.
Special Teams for Exceptional People, (STEP, Inc) exists to facilitate social, recreational and sporting activities and events for children and adults with disabilities in order to instill in them confidence and self-esteem. These events and activities are inclusive to their siblings and families and are intended to teach everyone that there are no boundaries on what those with disabilities can do or achieve. Our organization serves individuals and their families from the private sector as well as those in group homes, private schools and special treatment facilities. No one is refused because of race, religion, sex, culture, nationality, ethnic origin or financial ability.
Volunteers in STEP, Inc range from coaching to fundraisers to social events such as dances. STEP, Inc. believes that all persons, regardless of their disability, have the right to enjoy the same full range of sporting and socialization opportunities which others in their community enjoy. Our parent coaches provide guidance and support to each person who desires to “STEP” into a more fulfilling life.
STEP, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization
IF you will be watching the service from home on March 24th, you can donate on the STEP, Inc site:
https://www.stepinc.us/home.html and click the Donate button
Share the Plate February
Newhouse Wildlife Rescue is a rehabilitation facility for injured and orphaned wildlife right here in Chelmsford. Their wildlife rescue facility provides rehabilitation services to orphaned and injured wildlife. These animals are given more than just a place to rest and recover. They have regular visits from a veterinarian, custom built cages to suit their individual needs, high quality meals and special training to give them the skills they will need in their transition back into the wild.Â
Newhouse Wildlife Rescue takes pride in being a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves and is dedicated to educating the public about the wildlife around them. The animals they release are treated for any parasites and vaccinated, not only for their well being but for the well being .of any humans they may encounter along their travels.
Newhouse Wildlife Rescue is not funded by the state and does not charge for their services. They rely on donations from the community to continue their mission to save our local wildlife. Form more information about Newhouse Wildlife Rescue, visit their website at https://newhousewildliferescue.org/home
If you will be in the service on February 25th and wish to write a check, please make it out to Newhouse Wildlife Rescue
If you will be attending the service online, and wish to donate online, visit:
https://newhousewildliferescue.org/home
 and click the Donate button
