Almost 200 people representing 26 churches came out on Saturday, March 15. Everyone gathered in one of three locations and accomplished a wide variety of mission projects.

Bladen County with Grace UMC (Elizabethtown)

Around 20 people:

• assembled 150 sandwich bags (including a sandwich, fruit, a snack, a sweet, and water) and then…🍎
• distributed them to low-income housing developments in town and to elderly independent-living apartments 💌

Another 15 people:

• worked in the Live Oak Food Pantry and Clothing closet, switching winter clothes for summer at the Live Oak Clothing Closet 👕👖
• put food away and served those who came in need at the Live Oak Food Pantry 🥫

Brunswick County with Camp UMC (Shallotte)

Almost 60 people came together and:

• assembled 200 breakfast bags and 200 lunch bags for community distribution, as well as through Streetreach🥪
• learned about Congregations4Children, Streetreach (Homeless Ministry) and Stand Against Trafficking USA (Human Trafficking Organization) 🧡
• made Easter cards for sick and shut-ins ✝️
• went to Holden Beach for a Beach Sweep and discussion about Creation Care 🩴

New Hanover County with Wrightsville UMC

About 115 people came together and:

• bagged 40,000 pounds of potatoes for the food insecure (Society of St. Andrew- Carolinas) 🥔
• took a truckload to share with the neighbors at Willowdale Urban Farms 🥔🥔
• took a truckload to Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard 🥔🥔🥔
• Harbor UMC took a van load to their neighborhood 🥔🥔🥔🥔
• shared the rest of the potatoes with the Food Bank of NC 🥔
• a team of 20 served at Willowdale Urban Farms 🧑‍🌾
• a team served with WARM NC to do home repair 🔨
• made 123 Blessings Bags for The Help Hub at The Harrelson Center ✝️
• created 76 beautiful bookmarks for those who need a little extra love 🌺
• made 75 bags of St. Patrick’s Day Treats for the staff at Snipes Academy ☘️
• 10 Bikes were donated to A Bike for Every Child 🚲

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10