Do you have a loved one who is tricky to shop for? Maybe someone who doesn’t need a physical gift taking up space? We have some suggestions on ways to celebrate the people you love AND give back to the community at the same time. Here are some organizations St. Mary’s is connected with who are doing good things locally.
Earth Care Interfaith Fund – Conserving and Restoring Our Local Watersheds
St. Mary’s Earth Stewards has been busy this year redesigning their Faith Community Fund which is now called Earth Care Interfaith Fund. Through this fund you can contribute to McKenzie River Trust and Long Tom Watershed Council. More information about this ministry was included in the Advent & Christmas Bellringer. You may send donations directly to:
longtom.org/donate/earthcarefund or
mckenzieriver.org/get-involved/earth-care-interfaith-fund.
Checks may be sent to:
McKenzie River Trust 120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd, Suite 270 Eugene, 97401 or
Long Tom Watershed Council 11 E. 27th Ave Eugene, 97405
write Earth Care Interfaith Fund on the memo line.
Funds will be divided equally between the two.
That’s My Farmer (TMF) – Helping Our Low Income Neighbors Get Fresh, Local Produce
That’s My Farmer is a partnership between faith communities (St. Mary’s being one of them) and local farmers who are involved in providing community supported agriculture (CSA) food shares so people are able to eat good, nutritious, locally grown food. In order for everyone to have an opportunity to obtain food shares TMF raises funds which the participating farmers are able to apply for to help offset the cost of the food shares making them available for those that can least afford it. Donations for this ministry may be sent to That’s My Farmer, First United Methodist Church, PO Box 5369, Eugene OR 97405. Put Low Income Fund in the memo.
Refugee Resettlement Coalition of Lane County – Welcoming New Neighbors
St. Mary’s is a community partner and is represented on the Refugee Resettlement Coalition (RRC) Steering Committee. The coalition is partnered with Catholic Community Services of Lane County (CCS) who manages the Refugee and Immigrant Services program (RISP). Thank you everyone that was able to take part in their recent Zoom fundraiser. The funds raised will certainly help RRC as they welcome our new neighbors. If you would like to help welcome refugees through RRC please make your check out to Catholic Community Services with RRC in the memo line and mail to:
Refugee Resettlement Coalition of Lane County
Catholic Community Services of Lane County
Refugee and Immigrant Services Program (RISP)
1025 G St, Springfield, Oregon 97477
FISH (Friends in Service to Humanity) – Helping Our Neighbors Afford Propane and Prescriptions
Besides operating a food pantry at Trinity United Methodist Church, FISH also helps people obtain propane and prescriptions. During October of this year, they spent $9,000 on propane and $1,500 on prescriptions. As the weather is getting colder there will be a greater need for propane for our homeless neighbors that live in campers or trailers and rely on propane for cooking and heat. Funds for this ministry may be sent to FISH PO Box 2412 Eugene, OR 97402.
