THE SANDWICH MISSION

On the fourth Monday of each month Cottonwood delivers and serves sandwiches to needy people.  In order to have the sandwiches to deliver, members of the congregation spend time on Sunday during Sunday School hour making the sandwiches in our kitchen under the leadership of Linda Kramer.  Yes, she needs more Makers!  Call Linda to volunteer either in making or serving.

Many of our members have participated in this, what we call “The Soup Kitchen” over these many years. It takes about a half-dozen people to make the sandwiches at church on Sunday (the day before we serve on the fourth Monday). A group gathers before, during or after morning worship and it usually takes 30 – 45 minutes. Another group of 6-8 people meet downtown on Monday, about 4:45PM at the St. Vincent de Paul Center. It is located across from the Gateway at 427West 200S. Cars are parked in a well-lighted, fenced area adjacent to the dining hall which is reasonably secure. We bring the sandwiches along with some fruit and occasionally, other treats. A crew from the Salvation Army is there with everything else we need to serve dinner for 400+ people. After a blessing, the women, children and men file in from the street, passing along in front of our servers to fill up their trays. Second helpings are allowed but they must go to the back of the line. There are no costs or qualifications required, so no questions are asked. It is noisy but clean and orderly, and the food is greatly appreciated. We are usually done in an hour and on our way home.

If you haven’t had the experience of feeding the poor as Christ taught us, this may be your opportunity! Linda Kramer is now coordinating the sandwich-making effort on Sundays at the church and looking for volunteers. Contact Jack Van Klaveren or Roy Kristensen if you prefer to help with the serving on Mondays. If we can’t use you this month, we will schedule you for another month. Then all you need to do is show up!

February Crossroads— Juice of any size and dried beans are needed this month—they are out of both.  Also paper and plastic bags continue to be needed.
 Full gallons and 1/2 gallons of fresh milk is an item in need.  Please bring your purchases to the main kitchen and put the milk on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.  Any and all help is most appreciated.
The Thrift Store is still in need of blankets and sleeping bags.  They go out the door as fast as they come in.

Crossroads Urban Center:
Crossroads Urban Center is a non-profit, grassroots organization that assists and organizes low income, disabled, and minority Utahns to meet basic survival needs and to address essential issues affecting the quality of life. Established in 1966, Crossroads is a multi-faith, community based project related to the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. A food pantry and a thrift store soon emerged as focal points for community involvement. The food pantry and advocacy groups are housed in a historic building at 347 South 400 East in Salt Lake City. The thrift store building is at 1383 West Indiana Avenue (840 South) in Salt Lake City.

In the early 1970’s, Crossroads Urban Center made two commitments that continue to guide its work – one was to be more ecumenical in nature and the other was to work on the root causes of poverty while addressing critical needs. Cottonwood Presbyterian Church joined with other denominations to support Crossroads Urban Center. Since then, Cottonwood has been a key partner in serving the needs of less-fortunate people in the community. Highlights from 2010 follow:

• Crossroads' Food Pantry is now one of the busiest in Utah. The food pantry served 18,801 households containing 40,410 members, providing them a three-day, emergency supply of food; plus 2,774 orders of baby food/formula/diapers beyond what was distributed with those food orders.
• Crossroads' Food Pantry has become one of the largest distributors of food for the Utah Food Bank; while more than half of food they distribute is donated directly to Crossroads through church food drives or by individuals.
• Crossroads' Emergency Fund provided 2,937 households containing 4,747 people with gas vouchers, bus tokens, prescription assistance or other assistance; primarily to stop evictions and utility shut offs.
• Crossroads Thrift Store distributes donated clothing and household goods free of charge to low-income and homeless individuals and families though a church-based referral system. In 2010, there were 7,293 families containing 19,820 people who received free items valued at approximately $332,803
• Crossroads Thrift Store also sold items at very low cost valued at $25,784, including some new children’s clothing and shoes (the store gave away nearly thirteen times the amount that was sold).

At Cottonwood Presbyterian Church, food for the pantry is collected in the narthex and delivered to Crossroads weekly. Used clothing is collected in the large bin adjacent to the rear entry door and delivered when full. Volunteers work in the Food Pantry and Thrift Store. Used books are collected and sold at an annual church event, with proceeds donated to Crossroads. Regular financial contributions are made from the Mission budget and designated contributions are passed through the church to Crossroads Urban Center. Special drives are organized in response to critical needs. Your continued support is much appreciated.

Remind those from your group who deliver food to give the name of your faith community, not their individual name, so we will know who to thank for our gifts.

In Our Community

SALT LAKE COUNTY MEALS ON WHEELS NEEDS HELP

We need several people to help deliver lunches in the CPC area.  It takes less than one hour every third week.  No special equipment is needed.  If you could possibly help, please call DeeDee Simer at 801 262-2224 for details.