General Info

Outreach First ( Park ) Congregational United Church of Christ 's Outreach work centers on social justice issues affecting the heart of Grand Rapids. We believe in serving God by fulfilling Christ's directive in Matthew 25 ' to feed and clothe the poor and hungry, to visit those in prison, to heal the sick and to welcome all strangers to our table ' no questions asked. We also firmly believe that education is a social justice issue. To this end, we have developed several programs to help those in need in the greater Grand Rapids area: Free Community Breakfasts ' Once a month Park Church offers a free breakfast in Merriam Hall. A full menu is prepared by church volunteers and served to our downtown neighbors. Oftentimes we'll have music and games ' Merriam Hall is becoming a popular destination because of the various programs that are hosted there. We hope to expand this program in 2008-2009 by encouraging other downtown churches to offer free community breakfasts. Currently, breakfast is served every third Saturday of the month. All are welcome to the table.Volunteers should arrive between 7: 00 and 7: 30 a.m. Mobile Food Pantries ' Park Church currently sponsors two monthly Mobile Food Pantries in partnership with the West Michigan Second Harvest Gleaners. A Mobile Food Pantry ( MFP ) is a converted break-truck that delivers several thousand pounds of groceries to locations around the city to be distributed to those in need. Our downtown MFP arrives Park Church every fourth Wednesday at 5: 00 p.m. Additionally, we've partnered with Grand Rapids Montessori School to offer a second MFP at Central High School. This has been extremely successful in providing needed grocery supplements to another downtown neighborhood while providing a great educational opportunity for the students at Montessori and Central High. This MFP arrives at Central High every third Wednesday at 5: 00 p.m. Volunteers should arrive before 4: 30 p.m. to lend a hand. Winter Day Shelter ' Every Friday throughout the winter months, Park opens Merriam Hall to our downtown friends and neighbors for a hot meal and fellowship. We usually have chili, soup, baked goods, coffee ' anything that sounds delicious during a cold winter day. We watch movies on the big screen and generally hang out and have a good time. The Winter Day Shelter is open from November through the end of February, every Friday from 9: 30 a.m. to 3: 00 p.m. Volunteers should arrive around 8: 00 a.m. Park / Palmer Partnership ' Every week, Park Church members volunteer at Palmer Elementary School as tutors for second graders in reading. Tutors participate in monthly prayer meetings in the chapel. This has proven to be a transformative experience for everyone involved, students and tutors alike. Sand Dudes ' As part of our ongoing commitment to education and outreach in the heart of Grand Rapids, Park Church provides a weekly, day-long trip to the beach for inner-city children in partnership with U.C.O.M. Sand Dudes runs from mid-June through mid-August. UCOM is a fantastic local ministry organization! Make sure to check out their website if you haven't already! The trip will provide a nature hike in the dunes, lunch, an opportunity to play in the water and all transportation to and from UCOM. It seems incredible, but many underprivileged children ' most of whom live less than a half hour from the beach ' have never seen the lakeshore! All Michiganders are connected to the Great Lakes and should have an opportunity to take advantage of its beautiful beaches! Portable Toilet in Parking Lot - Because the City of Grand Rapids does not provide adequate restroom facilities for the homeless from approximately 11: 00 p.m. to 8: 00 a.m., Park Church has placed a portable toilet in its parking lot for use by all people - 24 hours a day. To read the Mlive.com article about our awreness rally, click HERE.