Several years ago, teachers in SBISD noticed that many children were not wearing coats during a year of cold winter weather. As a result, MAM was asked to help collect coats and distribute them to children in need. St. Francis Church and SFES answered the call, and in honor of Kitty Elliott, who organized the original coat drive, it has been officially named ‘The Kitty Elliott Coat Drive.’ Collection areas will be set up in St. Francis Church in October. Any coats you wish to deliver on other dates may be left in the church office. Fore more information, please email Sally Jo Flores.

The Reading Buddies program is returning for the 2024/25 school year at Woodview Elementary. The program starts in October, and a brief training session will be held in September. Our volunteers will be partnered with 2nd-grade students who are on the cusp of success, where SBISD has found that reading intervention can significantly improve outcomes. Volunteers will be expected to read with their assigned students for 30 minutes each week. For more information, contact Tim Blaine or call 832-247-8667.

Every Christmas an Angel Tree decorates the Narthex. Parishioners are invited to participate by providing gifts that include bicycles, clothing, shoes, books, toys, or gift cards to low-income families with children who have received financial aid during the year from the Linda Sadler Memorial Fund or other Outreach Ministries of St. Francis.

Contact Heather Burkhart to take part in this fun outreach project.

Each year in March is Send One Suit (S.O.S.) month at Dress For Success. DFS Houston sends out an S.O.S. for professional attire, such as clean, seasonably appropriate and in style, professional suits, separates, handbags, scarves, new pantyhose, gently worn closed-toe shoes and business portfolios. Donations should be placed on hangers and brought to the Narthex each Sunday throughout the month. Clothing donations:

When: Sundays in March

Who: Adults

Where: Narthex of St. Francis Episcopal Church

Contact: Heather Burkhart

Members of this parish donate generously to the food pantry at Fair Haven United Methodist Church (1330 Gessner, north of I-10). The food pantry distributes hundreds of bags of groceries each week to food-insecure families in the Spring Branch/Memorial area. Non-perishable food is requested every Sunday, to be placed in the basket in the Narthex.

The Fair Haven Food Pantry is staffed entirely by around 60 volunteers and offers a variety of volunteering opportunities. Volunteers are needed to interview clients, enter client data in computers, sack groceries, pick up bakery goods at grocery stores, receive and coordinate food drives and prepare financial data.

The Boys & Girls Country Annual Awards banquet is hosted each June at St. Francis. A catered meal is provided to the children, their families, and the Boys & Girls Country staff. Volunteers are needed to serve in the kitchen and assist with table service.

When: Tuesday, June 18, 2019; 5:30–9:00 pm in the Fine Arts Center (FAC)

Who: Adults and families with school-age children

Volunteers are also needed for set-up

Registration is required

Contact: The Bagbys

The Lord of the Streets (LOTS) provides breakfast for the homeless every day. It is a valuable benefit to the homeless community. Churches are assigned a Sunday and usually have 6 people on a team. The cooking is done at Trinity and serves about 40 people. If you are interested in participating, please contact Bob Jungman.

The outreach team is seeking an Outreach Sunday coordinator. This is a perfect role for a family (or couple)! With the assistance of the Outreach team and church staff, this role coordinates the ordering of supplies and execution of the time-honored St. Francis tradition. Please contact Heather Burkhart if you are interested in this opportunity. Kids will receive hours towards the St. Francis Service Award!

This friendly Wednesday morning group creates loving shawls for the sick and recovering. No knitting experience required.

When: Every other Saturday at 2 pm

Who: Adults

Where: Stella Blackwell's home

Contact: Sally Jo Flores

MAM is ranked #2 in Houston by Charity Navigator for the number of funds spent on programs and services. MAM’s services include rent and utilities, medical, transportation, clothing, case management, mental health counseling, employment services, free tax preparation, financial education and coaching, immigration legal services, citizenship, GED and English classes.

Volunteer opportunities include working in the Resale store, employment services and teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Also, needed are receptionist, client interviewer, phone volunteer and data entry. Contact: MAM at 713.574.7540 or volunteers@maministries.org

This ministry is a day care program for 15 - 18 Gathering participants suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Volunteers are needed to help with cooking and serving a fresh cooked meal, entertainment, crafts, yoga and one on one attention.

When: First Friday of the month

Who: Adult volunteers

Where: Parish Hall

Registration is required

Youth volunteers (ages 8+) may wish to provide entertainment like music or sing-alongs

Contact: Sally Jo Flores

The Beacon provides services that restore dignity, self-respect and hope to Houston’s poor and homeless through the core programs of The Beacon Day Center, Beacon Law, Brigid’s Hope and the Cathedral Clinic. Volunteers are needed to help with the kitchen and meal services, laundry and shower services, client intake and greeting.

Contact: 713.220.9737, www.beaconhomeless.org or email Mark Clark.