Have you been wondering about the overflowing bins in the Narthex full of clothes, toys, and food?  Here’s the scoop:  At their November meeting, the Deacons decided that they wanted Edgebrook Covenant Church to continue to support the North Park Friendship Center AND to expand our outreach to Cornerstone Community Outreach’s homeless shelters and Leland House.  Those bins in the narthex fall under the watchful eye of the Deacon Board, and the Deacons voted to give whatever food our congregation donated each week to the North Park Friendship Center because of the significant food needs they have.  Ann-Helen Anderson has generously offered to collect that food each week and delivers it to the Friendship Center.  Thank you, Ann-Helen!

When the Deacon Board met with Lyda Jackson, Volunteer Director of Cornerstone Community Outreach, we were struck by their need for clothing, toys, books, and household supplies like bedding, sheets, pillows, and towels for their homeless shelters, soup kitchen, and Leland House (which Edgebrook Covenant Church has supported for a long time).  The Board voted to donate any clothing, toys, books or household supplies collected in those bins to Cornerstone Community Outreach – who will come by periodically and pick up our donations.  So as you begin to think about sorting through your winter clothes and making room to bring out your spring clothes, please think of Cornerstone – and bring your clean, gently used clothing to those bins in the narthex.  Your donations will truly help the very needy people served by Cornerstone!

Cornerstone Community Outreach can also always use these additional items – check out this list:
•Toothbrushes
•Toothpaste
•Mouthwash
•Fluoride rinse
•Dental floss
•Brushes
•Combs
•Shampoo
•Conditioner
•Lotion
•Saving supplies
•Deodorant
•Soap
•Hand sanitizer
•Nail care
•Makeup
•Feminine products
•Diapers
•Baby wipes
•Sheets/blankets
•Towels, washcloths
•Pillows
•Cleaning supplies

In addition, as you travel on vacations this summer, CCO would be most grateful if you would bring home those little shampoos, conditioners, and soaps you find in your hotels and motels.  They are the perfect size to give out in CCO’s homeless shelters!


The Friendship Center most importantly needs foods with protein – including canned meats (like Spam, chicken, tuna, or salmon), peanut butter (they always need more!), stews, Chunky soups, macaroni and cheese (kids love this, and it flies out the door!), spaghetti with meat sauce or meatballs, chicken and noodles, etc.  Especially appreciated are individual sized servings of these protein foods that don’t need to be cooked – this helps the small homeless population that the Friendship Center serves.  Secondarily they need paper products – toilet paper, paper towels, and disposable diapers.  They also need personal care products, like soap and shampoo – so if you will be traveling, scoop up those little bottles of shampoo and the soaps from your hotel room!  They will be greatly appreciated!

Both the Friendship Center and Cornerstone Community Outreach want all of you to know that they greatly appreciate your contributions and send you a big THANK YOU!