Sunday Collections at UUCR

Share the Plate for November 30th-December 14th

Interfaith Works

This week we are sharing the plate with Interfaith Works, a 50-year-old charitable organization that provides emergency shelter, supportive housing, essential needs and employment programs to over 35,000 Montgomery County residents each year. Although the County generally is thought of as affluent, more than 72,000 residents live at or below the federal poverty line.

The foundational principles of Interfaith Works – compassion, respect, social justice, inclusion and empowerment – are fully consistent with our own congregational principles, and many UUCR members regularly contribute their time and talents to Interfaith Works. The organization runs four year-round emergency shelters providing meals, case management and supportive resources such as vocational training, mental health and medical care and legal referrals. Interfaith Works also manages the Drop-In Center at Progress Place, a unique facility that offers laundry, showers, case management, a computer lab, therapeutic and recreational group activities and a safe space during the day.

Interfaith Works’ vocational services program provides counseling in four languages, working one-on-one with over 200 clients annually and helping them secure and retain employment. Its essential needs services include a clothing bank and a food pantry managed in coordination with the Capital Area Food Bank. The organization’s programmatic goal of empowerment rather than permanent dependency has resulted in contracts with Montgomery County and other government agencies, foundations and corporate community service projects.

Significantly, Interfaith Works also runs Montgomery County’s only two year-round, low barrier, emergency shelters for women. Each May, UUCR volunteers prepare home-cooked meals to help support the Crabbs Branch Shelter and the dozens of temporary residents who rely on its services. As you are willing and able, please join this week in supporting Interfaith Works.

First Sunday Food Drive

Manna Food Center

Help support UUCR's program to reduce food insecurity in Montgomery County by bringing canned food items on January 4th for our monthly food drive for Manna Food Center!

Please bring one or more non-perishable foods that we'll donate to Manna Food Center  for local distribution.  Any and all donations are valued and welcome (no glass containers, please).  Collection bins are in UUCR's lobby off the courtyard entrance and outside the sanctuary doors. 

Thousands of families in Montgomery County don't have enough food to eat and turn to food pantries for support. Our local pantries are struggling to keep up with the rising demand and need community support.  Let's all pitch in and help as we can! Thank you!