Help us get there!

The goal for this year’s Operation Good Thing is…

60 street packs!

 

Having set the modest goal of 10 packs last year and seeing how God blew our expectations out of the water with 38 packs, we have, by faith, set the bar higher this year.

Let’s unite together and remember Toronto’s street youth this Christmas season!

We will keep you updated on our progress throughout the month of November, so stay tuned!

School Supplies Needed

Here’s a note from our friend Cliff at MCAC:

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I was speaking with Krista from Open Door and she mentioned to me that the kids need school supplies to go to school.

I know when I was in grade school, the school use to provide supplies.  Like glue, crayons and markers.  (Hehe, I use to take them back home.)

Nowadays the school doesn’t supply them anymore and the family needs to provide them.

I was thinking of creating a few kits to help bring the kids back to school.  I don’t know if anyone is interested.  If you can support financially or have a few school supplies at home and like to donate, please let me know.

Here is the list of items Krista suggested:
I have made a list of suggestions for school supply packages.

• Back packs, kids and teens
• Binders
• Pens, blue, black, red
• Highlighters
• Pencil Crayons
• Crayons
• Markers
• Rulers
• Pencil cases
• Pencils
• Erasers
• Compass and Protracter Kits
• Lined Paper
• Blank Pater
• Glue

I will be flying to Australia in Aug 20th. Therefore, I like to have these kits ready by Aug 17th. 

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If you’re interested in helping out, please leave a message and we’ll arrange to get the items from you. Please let others know about this drive too!

Please donate to your local food bank!

“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward those of your people who are poor and needy in your land.” – Deuteronomy 15:11
 
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Food banks are running low on food this summer. As a volunteer at The Compass (http://www.thecompass.ca/), a food bank/outreach centre in Port Credit, I’ve seen the shelves of food become more bare in the past month. People don’t realize that food banks still need their donations through the summer months!
 
I’ll be taking donations for The Compass throughout the summer and fall, and I’d be happy to collect anything you donate to bring to The Compass when I work there (if you’re at MCBC, pass them to me on Sunday). Feel free to collect food for your local food bank if you’re not within my vicinity.

Do ensure that the food is not past expiry – anything that’s expired will be thrown out due to health regulations.
 
I encourage you to buy a few extra things whenever you get your own groceries. Encourage your small groups, fellowship members, friends and family to donate generously.
 
Food donations can also be dropped off at any fire station. They will distribute the food to a local food bank, such as the Mississauga Food Bank. I’m sure all food banks are suffering from a lack of donations in these summer months.
 
Here’s a list of items needed at The Compass:
-cereal
-juice boxes
-canned or jarred fruits (any kind)
-canned vegetables (specifically waxed beans, peas only, potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes – there’s plenty of corn and mixed veggies)
-canned meat (salmon, chicken, turkey, ham, Spam, corned beef)
-canned pasta
-canned stew
-canned soup (Ready-to-Serve and condensed)
-fruit cups
-pudding cups
-instant noodles
-toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers)
-toilet paper, kleenex
 
Other donations are most welcome since something always runs out every time we’re open. Even packaged snacks like crackers and cookies are appreciated. 
 
Let’s show the love of Christ to the world through our thoughtful, compassionate, and continual actions.

Please give generously!

A neighbour in need

Here is a startling post from our friend Andy at Project417, about an encounter that hits really close to home for us who attend MCBC or live in Mississauga.

It begs the question: Are our suburban churches being good, caring neighbours to the people and the community around us? Do we even know who our neighbours are?

movein.to

The MoveIn Conference is this weekend, May 8-9, 2009!

This is a conference geared towards 18-29 year olds who are interested in moving into the broken neighbourhoods of our cities. There are 38 neighbourhoods listed, including locations in Toronto, Mississauga, and Ottawa. The breakdown of the event:

Friday: 7-10pm. Come and HEAR what God is doing. Planning for 2,000 people. Come early (6:30) for refreshments. A BIG night: worship, stories, challenge, free books, multimedia

Saturday: 9am-5:30pm. For those seriously considering “moving in.” Exploring the possibilities. Free. Pizza lunch, city-wide target-neighbourhood tours (bring your car if you have one), mega connections… possibly one of the biggest days of your life.

More info available here: http://movein.to/

See you there!

Thank You

The results of Operation Good Thing (OGT) 2008 were published in the latest issue of Youth Unlimited’s newsletter. Last year – in the program’s 14th year – OGT received its highest record of donations!

And our group contributed 20% of YU’s total Street Packs (38 out of 184)!!! Amazing!!! It’s also great encouragement to see the packs in use too. We’ve seen it on the streets!

Thanks again to everyone’s contributions last year and continued commitment to reach out to our greater community!

- Cecilia

OGT: last call

Thanks so much for everyone’s support so far in this year’s OGT event!

Just want to remind everyone that this Sunday (Nov 30) is the last day that the OGT Table will be set up, for you to drop off donations. If you are planning to donate a package, please let us know ASAP! Thanks!

Also, remember to join us on December 6th for Assembly Day! We’ll be in the gym from 2pm to 5pm.

CTC for OGT

There’s a new way to give to Operation Good Thing (OGT)!

Cards That Care (CTC) are now available for sale! You can purchase cards (they come in 10- and 12-pack sets) and the proceeds from your purchase will be given to your choice of either two charities: OGT or THS.

Cards will be available for sale this Sunday. Come find Theresa or myself, or post a comment to reserve cards.

- Cecilia

Thanks to Theresa for making OGT one of the receipients of CTC proceeds!

operation good thing

New page is up for our Christmas project, Operation Good Thing (OGT)! All news regarding OGT will be updated there, so check back often!

next grocery run: october 18 @ 10am

“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings.” – Hosea 6:6

Fact: 19% of Canadians who use food banks come from households where the primary income is employment or Employment Insurance.

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Can you believe it’s already been ONE YEAR that the monthly grocery runs have been happening? Thanks to those who have partnered with us this past year – it’s been a blessing seeing your enthusiasm for seeking the peace and prosperity of Mississauga!

Here are the details on our next grocery run:
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2008
Time: Starts at 10:00am
Place: Food Basics, Hurontario and Eglinton; East Credit Fire Station, 1045 Bristol Rd. W

Let us know if you’d like to come out – leave us a message or e-mail one of us! Come make our first year anniversary a memorable one!