2016 was First Presbyterian’s 16th season to house the homeless as part of Winter Relief, one of Arundel House of Hope’s programs. During our Feb. 15-22 hosting week, our guests stayed in Fellowship Hall where rows of sleeping cots and folding tables are arranged. Delicious meals, hot showers, clean linens, haircuts and even a Bingo night are only part of the experience. Warm and nurturing volunteers dispense a week’s worth of God’s love. In return the volunteers receive back heartfelt appreciation and valuable insights into lives that many times are wrought with difficulties. /Shelter_Blog.html for the Winter Relief blogs Over 60 volunteers take part in our hosting week. Night monitors, meal preparers, help desk coordinators, set-up and break-down crews, are just some of the volunteer opportunities available. In 2011, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church joined First Presbyterian and now provides both half the volunteers and funding. We have been grateful for their help. Planning has begun for the 2017 hosting week of Feb. 13-20.

) or Cathy Starnes (catherine. On Thursday afternoons during the school year, church volunteers stuff backpacks with nourishing food for select students to ensure their families will have food for the weekend. The Center, a mission project of Baltimore Presbytery, hosts groups for week long and weekend urban mission projects. Church volunteers meet regularly with Food Link volunteers to collect surplus food donated by area grocers, restaurants and caterers, which are given to agencies and clients who assist those in need. backpack hulalaFPC members also participate in food donation drives to add to Food Link pantries.g5000 backpack First Presbyterian Church is part of the Anne Arundel County Interfaith Coalition that builds homes for select clients following the founding conviction that every person should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. simms headwaters backpack for sale

The coalition began working in fall 2015 on a house on Clay Street in Annapolis. The home was dedicated in January 2016 and work will continue until it is ready for the new homeowner later this year.  The church continues support in between house commitments. The Light House Shelter provides emergency shelter and transitional housing for area homeless. First Presbyterian volunteers prepare meals, assist in the career counseling, teach GED classes, collect food from members of the congregation and deliver it to the shelter each Sunday in August and participate in fundraisers.veloce backpack vii Job-seeking men or women working to overcome the stigma of homelessness, incarceration or substance abuse, are given a second chance and a viable way to get their feet back on the ground through the church’s maintenance intern program. tardis slouch backpack hot topic

To apply for the internship, please use this application form. STAIR - Start the Adventure in Reading STAIR is a volunteer, nonprofit organization that provides one-on-one tutoring to public school second grade students who are reading below grade level. Dedicated church volunteers tutor children from several Annapolis schools andd community centers, two hours weekly from 4 to 5 p.m. during the school year. backpack clickfunnelsThis summer, STAIR will introduce a one-week Summer Readers Theater pilot program at Robinwood Center off of Forest Drive. Volunteer tutors are always needed! Sweat Equity has been a remarkable tradition at First Presbyterian Church since 1997. Numerous volunteers have worked tirelessly to maintain, restore and enhance our church campus. They have upgraded and refurbished the main building; rebuilt and merged three houses to create the Kinhart Center; created the bricked courtyard and connecting walkways;

restored the exterior of the historic Zimmerman-Wilson House; and constructed the Winslow Shaw Chapel. This work totals nearly 40,000 square feet of worship, gathering, meeting, office, and living spaces, and was accomplished by volunteers of all ages, skill levels and specialties. Sweat Equity welcomes all members to participate. The most recent project was the renovation of the church kitchen. ), for more information. The Sunday School children of SPUMC and their adult volunteers work hard each week to make sure that every child knows they matter.  Our kids sponsor 24 local elementary school children.  Each week the kids pack a backpack full of food to send home with these 24 children to ensure that they don’t face hunger while away from school for the weekend.  The kids often include personalized cards and birthday gifts.  Turn your next family grocery shopping trip into a service opportunity by helping your kids pick out something for our Backpack Buddies Ministry.  Donations  can be dropped off in the “Go Out in Faith” corner in the Fellowship Hall. 

To help our Sunday School kids pack backpacks, email Sandy Cuzzart. Needed Food Items (all items should be single serving size): 7.5 oz, microwavable bowl meals (such as Chef Boyardee) individual tuna or chicken salad packets shelf-stable, individual boxes of milk peanut butter jars (14-16 oz.) raisins & nut packs saltines or Ritz cracker sleeves Check in the Fellowship Hall in the “Go Out in Faith” Corner for up-to-date lists of other needed items. Thanks in advance for your donation.ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A new program has started to help abused or neglected children who have to quickly leave their homes without their belonging or necessities. Mobile users tap here to watch videoBackpacks of Love was started by an Annapolis Police Department detective to help children who have to pick up quickly and go into foster care."When the Department of Social Services has to remove a child from an abusive household, whether it's child abuse or neglect, unfortunately they have very few belongings that they take with them," said Annapolis detective Tom Pyles.

"Backpacks of Love is basically some necessities to get them through the first 24 to 48 hours when they're being placed."The backpacks are age and gender specific and are for infants to children 17 years of age. They provide everything from necessities to comforts. Police officers deliver the packs to the children.Backpacks of Love is a labor of love for Pyles. He was a survivor of child abuse and spent time in foster care."When I was removed (from home), I was in elementary school. The police and Department of Social Services came to the school -- they had already been doing an investigation, and I was removed at that point. There was no opportunity to go home or get anything," Pyles recalled.In 2013, he started the Blue Ribbon Project, which provides support for victims and survivors of child abuse and neglect. The backpacks came next.Backpacks of Love is a new program that's receiving a lot of support, but it could still use volunteers and donations. For example, those helping with the cause currently need socks and underwear for all ages.