Rush to SACK HUNGER in Kansas City!

Get into the game by donating food or funds. It's 4th and goal and we're going for it!

Easy ways to make a donation:

• Visit cor.org/giveonline (starting January 23)
• Text COR to 77977
• Mail a check with “Hunger” in the memo line

Donate food items:

• Mac'n'Cheese
• Cereal
• Canned Meat
• Canned Fruit & Vegetables
• Peanut Butter and Jelly
• Pancake Mix (Add water only) and Syrup
• Chunky Soup
• Boxed Dinners

Please no expired, dented or glass donations.

Food Donation Drop-Off Dates:

• Leawood (Building A circle drive):
  January 30 | 9-11 AM
  February 6 | 9-11 AM
  
• Blue Springs, Downtown, Overland Park, West
  February 6 | 9-11 AM

We are passionate about building community and changing lives. We believe that we can make a difference and help transform our community. Serve Days is a local mission service opportunity involving a variety of tasks, from painting, construction, cleaning and even playing with kids at local outreach facilities.

Everyone is invited to participate – no prior experience or expertise required.

Join us for a weekend of service, reflection, and advocacy as we celebrate the life and ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Help Pack Meals at Resurrection West - FULL

Monday, January 18 - Resurrection West Campus

This event is full.

Help pack over 45,000 meals to help those who are in need around the world. From 9 am to 5:30 pm, there will be 6 shifts of around 40 people each. We will follow all COVID safety protocols including required sign-ups, wearing masks at all times, social distancing, and no food or drink in the building. All ages are welcome, but children must stay properly socially distanced and with their families at all times. Children over the age of 2 must wear masks.

For questions, contact chris.holliday@cor.org. For more information, visit events.riseagainsthunger.org/MLKMealPack.

In-Person Serving Opportunities with Kansas City Partners

COVID-cautious opportunities are available at a variety of locations throughout the KC area. Morning and afternoon shifts are available on Saturday or Monday. Sign-ups are limited in order to keep the group size small. At this time we are requiring volunteers to wear masks, to follow social distancing guidelines, and to be responsible for themselves. Registration is now closed.

DIY At-Home Serving Opportunities

The Resurrection Overland Park Food pantry has several projects you can do at home!

• Dental Kits for Kids & Adults: Purchase toothpaste, packaged toothbrushes and floss for kids or adults and place one of each in a ziploc bag.
• Toiletry Kit: Purchase or donate your unused travel-sized toiletries. Assemble kits with shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotion in a ziploc bag.
• Notes of Encouragement: Write short notes of encouragement that can be included with food pantry bags. Kids can join in on the fun and draw positive and encouraging pictures
• Diapers & Wipes Kits: Purchase packages of diapers and wipes. Place 20 diapers and a package of wipes in a large bag and label with the size.
• Bagged Cat Food: Purchase a large bag of cat food (any kind) and re-bag into gallon-sized ziploc bags. Label "Cat" on the bag with a permanent marker.
• Donate boxes and grocery sacks: The RezOP Food Pantry is always in need of small boxes (approx. 8x10") and paper grocery sacks

Project drop off times and location:
Resurrection Overland Park - 8412 W 95th St, Overland Park, KS 66212.
Saturday, January 16th - 9am-4pm
Monday, January 18th - 12pm-4pm

Share the love with seniors at Don Bosco Senior Center!

The Don Bosco Senior Center is the largest, most comprehensive provider of senior services in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.

• Valentine's Cards: This is a great project for kids! Make handmade greeting cards that say "Happy Valentines Day" or “Happy Spring” They also appreciate bi-lingual cards for their Spanish and Vietnamese speaking clients.
• Valentine's Goody Bags: Assemble a goody bag with a card, candy (regular or sugar-free) and include a fun activity like a large print word search book, magazine, adult coloring books with markers or yarn (for the seniors who knit and crochet).

Project drop off times and location:
Don Bosco Senior Center (leave at the front door) - 580 Campbell Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Mon-Fri (not open on MLK day, January 18th)
Contact Senior Center Director Anne Miller at amiller@donbosco.org for more information.

Spread Joy to University of Kansas Health System staff!

As the pandemic continues to impact our area, send some well-wishes and encouragement to The University of Kansas Health System's hardworking, dedicated caregivers, units or teams. Here’s how:

Write a simple note or get crafty and make a card (have your kids help!), or you can compose a heartfelt email. You can specify that you want your message to go to a specific or general type of department or unit, or just say it’s for anyone who needs a word of encouragement!

Send emails to SpreadJoy@kumc.edu or send cards and letters to:

Spread Joy
c/o Patient Relations
4000 Cambridge St., Mailstop 1021
Kansas City, KS 66160

Pack Sack Lunches for Metro Lutheran Ministries

MLM distributes over 750 sack lunches a MONTH to folks who need some nutrition to get them through the day. That is over 10,000 a year! Volunteers purchase the non-perishable items, pack them, and include an encouraging note, then coordinate a drop-off with MLM. Learn more about Metro Lutheran's sack lunch program and how to participate on their website.

Outside the Kansas City Area?

You can still serve locally! Contact a local organization that works with underserved or vulnerable populations and see how you can help from home. Some ideas include:

• Sending encouraging notes or treats to local care home or hospital workers
• Sort through your house and gently used household goods to a rehousing agency, shelter or other organization
• Pick up litter in a local park or along a walking trail
• Assemble hygiene kits for a local homeless shelter
• Help an elderly neighbor with yard work or other light maintenence projects

Racial Justice Educational Opportunities

If you aren't able to dedicate a day to serving others, we encourage you to spend the day learning more about racial justice.

• Allies for Racial Justice Resources: Article, video and book suggestions that help us better understand our differences, appreciate our similarities and establish Christ-centered solutions to end racial and social injustices.

• Talking About Race: This resource from the National Museum of African American History & Culture provides tools and guidance for personal reflection and transformation. Topics include: The Historical Foundations of Race, Being Antiracist and Community Building.

• Talking About Race with Young Children: NPR Life Kit and Sesame Workshop podcast includes a conversation with psychologist and educator Beverly Daniel Tatum, and the website has several resources for parents.

• Early Childhood Education Joyful Activity Booklets: On January 18th, the National Museum of African American History & Culture will release two booklets in their upcoming Joyful ABC series - "A Is for Amazing" and "B Is for Brave." Each month, children, caregivers, and educators can explore new booklets together!

• Speak Up: Responding to Everyday Bigotry: This article from the Southern Poverty Law Center helps answer the question "What can I say in response to that?" when confronted with everyday bigotry and biases.

• Watch "Selma”: This 2014 Oscar-winning film by Ava DuVernay’s chronicles King’s 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama to protest voter discrimination. Available on FX with a cable subscription to rent/buy on Amazon or Google Play.

Online MLK Celebration, Education & Worship Opportunities

• 2021 Greater Kansas City Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Service
  Watch a replay of Tuesday's live stream on the SCLC Greater Kansas City Chapter Facebook page. Sponsored by Jewish Community Relations Bureau | AJC and Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

• The Methodist Ministers' Fellowship of Kansas City - Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
  Sunday, January 17 at 5pm
  The theme for this year's celebration is "In Pursuit of Equality, Justice, Peace and Unity in Turbulent Times" with featured speaker Rev. Seth M. Moulton, Presiding Elder of the AMEZ Church, KCMO Region. Hosted by Jamison Memorial Temple Church. Watch live on JMTC's Facebook page.

• 2021 SCLC Greater KC Dr. King Celebration
  Monday, January 18 at 5:30pm
  Join the 2021 Dr. King, Jr. celebration via Zoom. Featuring music, inspiration and a panel discussion with leaders of the US House of Representatives. Register here to watch the webinar OR register to join Pastor Cheryl Jefferson Bell for a Zoom watch party.

• Conversations about Racism and the UMC: "I'm Black. I'm Christian. I'm Methodist." Book Discussion
  Tuesday, January 19 at 2pm
  Join the I’m Black. I’m Christian. I’m Methodist. writers and editor Rudy Rasmus in a robust discussion moderated by GCORR Interim General Secretary Garlinda Burton. In the book, ten Black women and men explore life through the lens of compelling, personal accounts. Learn more and register here.

Other Justice Education & Advocacy Opportunities

• Cultural Competency Training: Empowering and educational, this online training will provide each participant with a heightened awareness about our neighbors and cross-cultural interactions
• EarthCOR: Learn more about what you can do to love God and creation
• Resurrection's Close the Opportunity Gap PreK Initiative: Learn about advocacy opportunities for children in Kansas and Missouri
• Take an Implict Bias Test: The Implicit Association Test (IAT) from Harvard University measures attitudes and beliefs that people may be unwilling or unable to report. This is a helpful tool for identifying how we stereotype others and other blindspots we may have.
  
• UMC Church & Society: Learn how to faithfully advocate for a more peaceful and more just world. Topics include poverty, climate change, health, peace and civil & human rights.
• UMC Social Principles: Learn more about the UMC Social Principles, a "prayerful and thoughtful effort of the General Conference to speak to the issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation."

Beginning February 8th, take a virtual trip to Malawi! Through Zoom, videos, and connecting with our partners you'll see old friends and meet new friends. Listen, pray, and learn what our partner leaders are doing in health, preschools, permaculture, Zoe, boreholes, and more.

Due to the time difference between Malawi & the US, the times of day we will be meeting via Zoom are in the morning. You will have an opportunity to meet our amazing partners online – it will be worth the early morning start!

If you've always wanted to go to Malawi and just haven't had a chance to yet, this is a great way to experience a little taste of "The Warm Heart of Africa". If you've been and Malawi is calling your name, this is a great way to "return" in 2021.

We'd love for you to be able to join us on all the dates listed below, but understand if you need to miss one or two.

Pre-trip Preparation: Friday, March 19, 11 AM -12 PM

Virtual Trip Dates:

• Sunday, March 21, 7:30-9:30 AM
• Monday, March 22, 9-11 AM
• Wednesday, March 24, 7:30-9:30 AM
• Friday, March 26, 9-11 AM

Post-Trip Debrief: Monday, March 29, 12-1 PM

Questions? Contact Doty Hoffman.

Explore the many opportunities available for partnering with Hondurans to transform their communities. Each trip has a purpose, some of which are listed below:

• Bless the School — Light construction and painting to keep the school in good condition.
• Bless the Youth — Engage with youth in sports activities and develop meaningful friendships.
• Bless the Teachers — Be a part of equipping teachers with resources and lessons to teach English and the Word of God. Teaching English creates bonds between people of different cultures and is life-changing for both.
• Medical and Dental – Provide needed care for the community.
• Cultural immersion – In addition to engaging with teachers and students, each trip includes time to explore.

2021 Trips:

• Virtual Serve Trip: February 15-19, 2021
• Men's Serve Trip: April 17-24, 2021
• Bless the School: June 5-12, 2021
• Bless the School: July 10-17, 2021

School Sponsorship

Sponsor a student or class to help break the chain of poverty through education in Ciudad Espana.

Public school conditions in Honduras are often poor. Low education and lack of jobs often leaves youth with two choices: to join a gang, or to leave the country and their family to look for work. Through the partnership with the Methodist church in Ciudad España, the Juan Wesley school was opened in 2014. The mission of the school is to break the chain of poverty by offering a quality, private, faith-based education through university graduation.

Resurrection created a sponsorship program to address three barriers to achieving this mission.

To learn about other ways Resurrection is partnering with Hondurans, visit our blog.

About Honduras

Honduras, located in Central America between Guatemala and Nicaragua, is a country of mountains, forests and farms. There are more than 7 million people living in this country, which is about the size of Louisiana. Most Hondurans speak Spanish, although the Amerindian/mestizo population may speak other Spanish dialects. English is widely spoken in the north. Resurrection teams usually fly into the capital city of Tegucigalpa, and some take a day to visit the Maya ruins at Copán, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Honduras is one of the poorest regions in Central America; its economy is primarily agricultural and the annual per capital income is about $2,500 USD.

Resurrection partners with the Methodist Church in Honduras, working mostly with the Methodist Church in El Obraje and the Cristo Resucitado Methodist Church in Ciudad España.

Resurrection has been partnering with the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) since 1998 with a strong focus on children and families – specifically through education and training. Educational efforts include support for the Ditshego House of Laughter in the community of Mooiplaas. Serve trip team members work with the students, teachers and other staff to deliver requested lesson plans and participate in light renovation projects at the school. Resurrection also works with West View and Elim Methodist Churches in Centurion, South Africa where worship and the ministry of presence come together. To learn more specific trip information, click on one of the links below for one of our upcoming trips. For more about the experience of serving on a team, visit our blog.

2021 Trips:

• June 18-28 - Vulnerable Children, Education, and Renovation Projects
• October 14-25 - Vulnerable Children, Education, and Renovation Projects

About Ditshego House of Laughter

Ditshego House of Laughter is a non-profit organization providing multiple services for approximately 350 vulnerable children in the informal settlement of Mooiplaas. More than 16,000 people make their home in Mooiplaas at the base of a landfill in the area between Johannesburg and Pretoria (now Tshwane). Among Ditshego’s services are a pre-school, an Open School for older children, a House of Safety for foster children, and after-school services. Without Ditshego these children would not have a chance for an education because many are undocumented or immigrants.

About South Africa

South Africa is the southernmost country on the African continent. It covers an area of approximately 472,000 square miles or slightly less than twice the size of Texas. Although it is a developed and modern country with roughly 57 million people and 11 official languages, South Africa struggles with high unemployment, HIV/AIDS, slow economic growth, crime, and corruption. Even in the post-1994 era following the end of apartheid (racial separation), social and economic inequality remains a significant challenge and South Africa is one of the most economically unequal countries in the world. Despite this, South Africa is making progress toward broader prosperity and a peaceful democracy.

The Church of the Resurrection is working to empower Malawians to give them a fighting chance for a future with HOPE. How are we making this happen? Through the Methodist Church, we partner to provide opportunities for abundant life, address basic needs, develop self-sustaining economic empowerment, offer health education and medical rehabilitation. Resurrection also works with our partners to support opportunities for spiritual formation and pastoral leadership, early childhood education, and life skills training. To learn more, visit our blog.

2021 Trips

• Malawi Virtual Serve Trip: March 21 - 26
• Malawi Community Garden & Education Serve Trip: July 8-20, 2021
• Medical Serve Trip: August 19-31, 2021
  
• Malawi Economic Empowerment and Agriculture Serve Trip - October 7-19, 2021

About the Malawi United Methodist Church

On January 1, 2009, the Malawi United Methodist Church celebrated their status as the new Missionary Conference of the United Methodist Church. Their status reflects the dedication, sacrifices and prayers of Malawian pastors and laity who have planted and nurtured this young church over the past two decades. They grew from a handful of churches to a thriving conference of 22 circuits and more than 140 churches, based on the passion and commitment of John Wesley to preach the Good News. They work to serve those in the most rural villages, hoping to set Malawi on fire for Christ.

Rev. Daniel Mhone, the Church's District Superintendent, supervises 24 pastors appointed in largely rural circuits where 85 percent of the church members survive day-to-day as subsistence farmers.The 22 circuits of the Malawi UMC are each served by one pastor who is responsible for 3 to 20 local churches within a 150-300 square mile region. The pastors work tirelessly as advocates for vital infrastructure in the communities where they serve, such as borehole wells that can provide clean drinking water for families as well as water for washing and irrigation for gardens.

Our Partnership with ZOE
The Church of the Resurrection partners with ZOE, a three-year program developed in Africa that empowers orphans and vulnerable children around the world to overcome extreme poverty, become fully self-reliant, and learn of God’s love for them. ZOE is currently active in Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Liberia, Guatemala and India.

ZOE’s indigenous program facilitators ensure children know about their rights, are free from abuse and exploitation, and can find a safe place to live. Children learn skills such as farming and animal husbandry at monthly meetings. ZOE then provides tools, seeds and farm animals to the children so they can grow and raise their own food.

Learn more at http://www.zoehelps.org

About Malawi

Malawi is a landlocked country of 10.5 million people, most of whom live in rural areas east of Zambia, west of Mozambique and south of Tanzania. Like Zimbabwe, it was colonized by English-speaking Europeans in the 1800s. Malawi gained its independence from Great Britain in 1964, and became a democratic republic in 1994. Lilongwe is its capital city. The annual per capita income is $800. Some 80 percent of the population is Christian, 55 percent of whom are Protestant.

The Hunger Stopper Ministry delivers approximately 70 tons of food each year, through donations from within the church and special food drives held in the community. Donations are delivered monthly to local pantries and urban ministries to help feed those in Kansas City area who are hungry or food insecure.

ONGOING:

• Monetary Donations: Donations in any amount will be used to purchase needed food in bulk or supplemental funding for our pantries to purchase proteins, produce and items not received. Please mark the donation for "Hunger Stoppers" and mail to the church. Mailing address: 13720 Roe Ave. Leawood, KS 66224
• Donate Non-Perishables: Please no glass containers or expired product. Desirable donations include:
  • Cereal
  • Canned meats (chicken, tuna, Vienna sausages)
  • Chunky stews/soups
  • Peanut butter & Jelly
  • Canned/boxed meals/Macaroni & Cheese
  • Shelf stable milk products
  • Pancake mix (add water only) & Syrup
  • Canned fruits and vegetables.

Check out our Local Impact page for a list of upcoming "Pop-Up Donation Drives" across our campuses.

Stay informed about upcoming events and information by signing up to receive the Hunger Stopper Newsletter. Sign up to receive Hunger Stopper Newsletter today! (Select "Resurrection Leawood" and then scroll down to Leawood Connect and Serve Newsletters and select "Hunger Stopper Food Donations")

We'd love to have you join our team of volunteers to help this ministry happen! Please see our Hunger Volunteer Ministry page for more information.

PANTRIES WE SERVE:

Click here for the full list.

Our Hunger Stopper team works in many different ways to help put a stop to hunger in Kansas City. Check out these ways you can get involved year-round:

FOOD DRIVES

We hold two large food drives during the year which are a great way for individuals, families and groups to get involved. The need for serving our pantries continues throughout the year.

“Thanks to the generosity of our congregation the Sack Hunger Food Drive saw an increase of 513.33% in increase in monetary donations over last year! WOW! We are so excited about our ability to creatively address food insecurity in the KC area by leveraging our partnerships with Harvesters, Associated Grocers as well as community/neighborhood initiatives near our campuses and partner schools. Rather than just dropping a pallet of what we have, we are able to provide true NEEDS in the community because of your support. We are thrilled to move strongly into 2020 ready to make an impact!”

SORTING TEAM

How You Can Serve: Help sort, check and box donated food items to prepare them to be delivered to local pantries. This is a fun service project for small groups, individuals or families.

• Where: Resurrection Mission Center, 15455 Metcalf Avenue. Click here for driving directions.
• Contact: Brenda Stuteville for questions at brendastuteville@att.net

Requirements: Volunteers must be 10 and older (accompanied by a parent), or 16 and older (unaccompanied).

DELIVER TO FOOD PANTRIES

How You Can Serve: 8-10 volunteers are needed for each delivery shift to help rearrange boxes onto pallets to prepare orders for delivery, load the truck and deliver food to local pantries.

• When: Deliveries take place one Wednesday morning each month.
• Where: Meet at Resurrection Mission Center at 15455 Metcalf Avenue 8am. Click here for driving directions.

Contact: Michelle Van Pelt at michelle.vanpelt@cor.org.

Requirements: Volunteers must be 16 and older, and able to repeatedly lift heavy boxes (up to 40 lbs).

BE A HUNGER STOPPER

You can fight hunger in Kansas City year-round, by making a monthly commitment to be a Hunger Stopper! Hunger happens every day of the year!

• Donate Dollars: Support the Hunger Ministry through monetary donations in any amount and we'll purchase needed food in bulk (our donations go a lot farther!). Mark your check in the memo line "Hunger Stoppers" and drop it in the offering plate or mail to the church.
  • How much should I donate? Here is a general guideline of how far your money can go to feeding an average family of 4 when we purchase in bulk:
    • $28 feeds them for a week
    • $120 feeds them for a month
    • $1,460 feeds them for a year
• As a Hunger Stopper you can receive a monthly email with specific suggestions of what to donate or how to serve each month. Sign up to receive Hunger Stopper Newsletter today (Select "Resurrection Leawood" and then scroll down to Leawood Connect and Serve Newsletters and select "Hunger Stopper Food Donations")!

PANTRIES WE SERVE:

Click here for the full list.

For more information about Hunger Donations please contact Michelle Van Pelt at michelle.vanpelt@cor.org

Using Psalm 4:8 as the guiding mission, the Beds Program provides new beds to children who don’t have beds of their own in Kansas City urban and suburban communities. Our purpose is to recognize and address the physical need for sleep, thus providing a sense of comfort, rest and peace. Through this coordinated demonstration of God’s love and provision, we will bring smiles and comfort to children and families. Our focus is to serve the children referred by Resurrection's partner school districts and specific mission partners.

Upcoming Serving Opportunities:

Beds Pick-up Parties:

Volunteers are needed to load/unload mattresses, greet participants and assist them in picking up linens and pajamas. This is a great serving opportunity for the whole family-appropriate for children 7 and older when accompanied by an adult. Please note this event takes place outside-dress accordingly!

• April 26, 2020 - Wheatley Elementary School - 1:00-3:00pm
• May 3, 2020 - Wheatley Elementary School - 1:00-3:00pm

Other Serve Opportunities:

Host a Linen Drive

Host a linen drive in your school, workplace, or neighborhood! New twin linens will be provided to school aged children who receive beds through the Program. If you need more information on the Program for your drive, please contact bedsforeverybody@gmail.com.

Slat Support Construction

Have access to free or inexpensive lumber? We are always looking for lumber to build our slat support structure. This structure is used in place of a box spring.

Sponsor a Bed

Don’t let a Kansas City child sleep on the floor tonight. Consider sponsoring a bed!

• $95 for a new twin bed (mattress, mattress pad, slat support and metal frame)
• $40 for a new set of linens
• $135 for a twin bed and all the linens!

Contact bedsforeverybody@gmail.com with questions.

Please visit the Beds Ministry Donations page for more information about how to support this ministry with donations.

I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety. -Psalm 4:8