Social Outreach Committee

Coordinator: Janet Qualters
(703-573-9170 – evenings)

 

From its beginning days, St. James Parish has been a caring community, people helping people, and that caring has continued to grow as the parish continues to grow. The Social Outreach Committee provides opportunities for parishioners to put into action the Corporal Works of Mercy. Opportunities exist to give one hour of your time to several days on a periodic basis.

ACTIVITIES (Volunteers needed)

Hispanic Ministry/food Distribution: Monthly (September through May) Friday evening food distribution and prayer/reflection session for needy families. Included is a Christmas family celebration of the Nativity in December. Adults and middle school and older children are welcome to help sort and pack food. Spanish speaking individuals are needed to make phone calls and/or help register at each food distribution. Contact: Janet Qualters, 703-573-9170 (evenings).

Christ House Ministry: As part of the diocesan ministry that provides temporary housing to the homeless and a free evening meal to those in need, St. James provides and serves a complete dinner to men, women and children on the second Wednesday of each month at Christ House in Alexandria. Volunteers are needed to cook and /or serve. This is an opportunity for parish groups to directly participate in serving those in need. Individuals are also welcome. Contact: Judy Rybak, 703-442-8479.

Meals on Wheels: In cooperation with the Falls Church Community Service Council, parishioners deliver mid-day meals to senior citizens and those in need, on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month and the 5th Tuesday between 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. We need drivers or a second person to ride with the driver. Generally, a team works once a month. If you cannot volunteer on a regular basis but could be a back up we need you too. This is a great opportunity for stay at home parents and retirees to help serve the community. Contact: John Vrablik, 703-533-2135.

Transportation: In cooperation with other churches in the Falls Church Community Service Council, St. James parishioners provide rides to doctors, dentists and other medical appointments, on a rotating basis. Contact: Glenolia Suggs, 703-534-4470 or Mary Ann Parker, 703- 241-9128.

McKenna’s Wagon: Parishioners deliver meals to needy families at two Falls Church sites every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Food is picked up from “Food for Others”, our local food bank in Merrifield. There’s a separate team for each day/week. Individuals who cannot commit on a regular basis are welcome to be back-up support. Contact: Joe Delahanty, 703-241-2505.

Falls Church Winter Emergency Shelter: St. James parishioners provide support for the winter emergency shelter. In addition to monetary support parishioners donate food, paper supplies and meals and also work a six-hour shift as monitors. Members of St. James serve on the Shelter Board. The Shelter is open from December 1 through March 31. We are in particular need of a)volunteers to prepare meals for 14 individuals on a periodic basis; b) individuals to donate paper supplies and food for the pantry. Contact: Janet Qualters, 703-573-9170 or Chris Jacobs at 703- 237-0336.

Senior Citizens Center Party: Annually St. James parishioners provide lunch and entertainment for the senior citizens in the Falls Church area. Generally this activity takes place in March. Contact: Mary Ann Parker, 703- 241-9128.

Giving Tree: As part St. James summer ministry, parishioners contribute to the needs of the children at a local day care center. These needs are identified on the “Giving Tree”. Children at the day care are from needy families. Contact: Pat Sober, 703-573-3432 or Lori Lisiecki, 703-532-5357.

Fall Food Collection: Food and monetary donations are collected after all Sunday Masses one Sunday in September for the Falls Church Community Food Closet of which St. James Parish is a founding member. Contact: Janet Qualters, 703-573-9170.

Lenten Food Collection: Food and monies are collected after all Sunday Masses during Lent to support “Food for Others”, our local food bank. Contact: Janet Qualters, 703-573-9170.

 

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES

Advent Adopt-a-Family: Parish families are invited to adopt less fortunate families for Christmas by providing meals, clothing and gifts. Names of families in need are provided by social service agencies and by parish network. Contact: Mary Ann Parker, 703-241-9128.

Shelter Gifts: Wrapped/labeled gifts (new gloves, mittens, scarves, socks, sweatshirts, etc) are collected at church exists throughout the Advent Season. These gifts are distributed to several local shelters and soup kitchens. Also personal care items (shampoo, soap, deodorant, combs, etc) are collected. Contact: Susan Jackson, 703-533-3482.

Gifts for Local Day Care: Parish school students and religious education students provide books and clothing gifts to a local, needy preschool day care center. Contact: Mary Ann Horton, 703-532-3508.

Alternative Gift Program: Two gifts for the price of one. In return for your donation to the St. James Social Outreach Committee in the name of someone on your Christmas list, you will receive a card to give as a gift. Donations are used to care for the needy in the Falls Church area. Contact: Vicky Schoenberger, 703-532-7783.