Meeting Needs in the Quad Cities

Our mission, in part, is to meet needs and heal wounds. Here are some of the ways we do that in our community:

Helmets of Hope

Our congregation's signature ministry, Helmets of Hope provides essential household supplies to veterans who have recently moved off the streets and into housing of their own with the help of VA housing subsidies. The ministry works with two Quad City-area agencies, and emergency veteran housing programs in Galesburg and Peoria to serve a total of 33 counties, and during its first nineteen months, has provided nearly 8,000 items. We know of no other group or agency in the state of Ilinois that provides the supplies Helmets provides.

 

Churches United Meal Site

On the second Monday of every month an FCCEM ministry team prepares and serves a nutritious hot meal to a group of 25-60 people at one of the Churches United meal site locations.

Churches United Food Pantry

On the third Sunday of every month we collect non-perishable food pantry items and cash donations for delivery to the Churches United food pantry hosted by our neighbors at Christ United Methodist Church.

CROP Hunger Walk

For more than forty years, hundreds of Quad Cities residents have gathered in early October for a six mile walk to raise money to fight hunger both locally and around the world. Our congregation is blessed to be able to contribute to this outstanding community outreach with both walkers and donations.       

 

“Trunk or Treat” Ministry

We transform the ghouls and goblins of Halloween into a night of welcoming fun as an FCCEM ministry team distributes goodies to trick-or-treaters and their chaperones from a naturally beautiful area we call "The Pointe."  In 2016, we welcomed nearly 600 people to our grounds. As you might guess, we can't wait for this year.

Salvation Army "Red Kettle" Campaign

For several hours on a Saturday in December volunteers from our church greet people in half-hour stints from along side one of the Salvation Army’s red kettles posted at a high traffic retail location.

 

THANKSGIVING/HOLIDAY COLLECTIONS

Thanksgiving Basket Delivery

In November we collect for, create, and then distribute food baskets to six families in need identified to us by a local Christian service agency.

Gifts for Families with Newborns

A second year-end collection gathers infant- and baby-related items that we donate to a local ministry that works with families financially or otherwise challenged and stressed by additions to their families.

Winter Clothing & Accessories

In December we also gather winter hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, etc for donation to the Salvation Army.