PARISH PROFILE

- outreach & fundraising -

TO GROW IN THE KNOWLEDGE & LOVE OF GOD AS REVEALED IN JESUS CHRIST

Supporting our Community

OUTREACH MINISTRIES 

St. James’ recognizes our obligation to others in God’s Kingdom. Outreach Ministries are the way we reach out to those in need in our community. St. James’ commitment to outreach is reflected in that we dedicate 20 percent of our annual budget to our outreach efforts and to Diocesan support.  

The Outreach Committee made grants to 20 local community agencies totaling $120,300 for the 2020 budget year.  The biggest grant was to Stewpot Community Services for which St. James’ is a founding supporter. 

The Stewpot Umbrella covers 11 different ministries that serve the neediest in our community. Among Stewpot’s key programs are the noon soup kitchen which serves around 180 people each day, including meals on wheels; a food pantry “grocery store” for about 100 people each month; shelter and beds for about 75-80 homeless people per day; and 80-125 children and teens in after-school programs and summer camps.

In addition to contributing to Stewpot through its outreach budget, St. James’ hosts an annual Christmas party for Stewpot Services, has a volunteer crew serving meals 3 to 5 times a month, volunteers 2 to 3 times a week in the Stewpot food pantry, and once a week at the Men’s and Women’s shelters.

FUNDRAISERS FOR OUTREACH

One of the largest fundraisers for the St. James’ Outreach Committee is the Banquet of Abundance. Groups of 6 to 10 organize a table with a theme for their table decor, food, and costumes. The 2020 Banquet of Abundance made $13,159.37.

St. James’ also holds a giant Rummage Sale in the early fall, selling gently used clothing, household goods, and all manner of other donations from parishioners. The 2019 Rummage Sale made $16,000. 

St. James’ partners in building a Habitat for Humanity home every eighteen months.  This project is funded separately from outreach budget using a drawdown.