Outreach Commission

Overview
One of the most valuable and important missions of St. Mary’s Church is its support of community and international programs. The work of the Outreach Commission has been part of the church’s history almost since its beginning, more than 45 years ago. Funding comes primarily from proceeds received from PennyWise Thrift Shop and other donations that designated for Outreach. The Outreach Commission is charged with considering all requests for assistance that are brought to its attention that meet the guidelines established by the Commission and the Vestry. The primary focus is on meeting local needs, addressing critical crises as they arise and funding for some international assistance. After appropriate due diligence, the Commission makes grant allocation recommendations and special requests to the Vestry, which has final approval for all funding distributions. In addition to the grant process, other donations are solicited, with Vestry approval, for special requests. The Commission also actively recruits volunteers to add their talent and time, which are greatly needed for several of the Outreach projects during the calendar year.

Grant Process & Recipients
The grant process requires that an organization submit its financial documents, mission statement, evidence of tax-exempt status and explanation of how they plan to use our grant. The Commission reviews the requests and decides how the funding budget will be distributed, pending availability of funds. In 2021, more than a dozen grants were approved for: food distribution and assistance, literacy programs, family welfare, child development; student tutoring and enrichment, international aid for remote villages in South America and India, and religious education.

Other Activities

New Horizons Super Kids Club – This faith-based program, a joint effort between New Horizons of SWFL and St. Mary’s, was started in August 2019 as a Super Kids Club. Thirty students from grades 1-5 in 3 local schools arrive Monday through Thursday of the academic year for assistance with homework and reading skills. Most are just learning English and many are academically challenged. An intense reading camp is held in June for the entire month. In early 2022, a lending library will be available for the students and located in a special section of the Parish Church Library. This was funded by a 2021 Diocesan Community Grant and a matching gift from a generous parishioner. The goal is to create excitement and interest in reading for enjoyment.

Harvest Time Ministries – During November through March, volunteers meet every other Friday at a local storage site and prepare 100 bags of groceries for a local community of migrant farm workers. On Saturday, volunteers gather again to deliver the groceries along with donated clothing and household goods.

Meals of Hope – Each Monday, Meals of Hope brings their refrigerated pantries-on-wheels to the church campus to distribute free food to residents of Lee County who need food assistance. Large numbers of people arrive each week for fresh produce, protein items and staples. Church volunteers help with this distribution throughout the year.

Food Drives – Two annual food drives are held each year, where more than 100 bags of food are collected from church members. In November, Harvest Time Ministries is the beneficiary and in March, Café of Life receives the food donations.

Kindness for Kids – This special Advent-Christmas project focuses on the children and parents in all the non-profit organizations supported by St. Mary’s Church during the year. They are from the migrant community, the Super Kids Club students, and three of the other grant-funded residential programs. Each child receives a gift of their choice and an age-appropriate book. Parents receive food assistance based on family size.

The Outreach Commission is always in need of volunteers throughout the year in our various programs.

The PennyWise Thrift shop has operated for over 25 years to raise funds for St. Mary’s Church and its community outreach programs through the resale of donated items such as clothing, home furnishings, jewelry and small appliances. At the beginning it operated in space rented in a strip mall, but when the present church building was built (with a large amount of support provided by PennyWise) the original church building was converted for use as sales space for PennyWise.

PennyWise is governed by a board of directors and reports to the Vestry through a liaison.  PennyWise is open 12 months a year. Its hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10-3. Each day is overseen by a volunteer manager who assumes overall responsibility for the activities that day. Generally, there are 2-6 other volunteers each day including cashiers, inventory preparers and sales personnel. All of the PennyWise staff strive to make the shopping experience pleasant and fun for all our customers.

Donations are accepted at any time, but preferably during business hours. Volunteers sort donations, accepting most but sending some that we cannot sell to numerous other nonprofit organizations such as St. Mathew’s House, All Souls Episcopal Church Thrift Store, Habitat Resale and Goodwill. All goods are priced to achieve marketability and value for the customers.

For the past 5 years PennyWise has earned between $80-120,000 per year in cash and credit sales. After a small amount each year is retained for reserves against emergencies, the remaining annual profits are presented to St Mary’s Church. The church uses half of the PennyWise donation for operations, and the St. Mary’s Outreach Commission distributes the other half to local nonprofit service organizations and special appeals such as hurricane relief.

PennyWise is always looking for more volunteers. Its volunteers include members and friends of St. Mary’s Church. We have seasonal and year-round volunteers. If you can spare a couple hours (or more) per week we would love to have you join us. Pam Stamper is our volunteer coordinator; telephone her Tuesday or Friday at 239-947-3363.