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These annual programs collect and provide food, clothing, and other items to benefit the needy in and around our community, as well as offer opportunities for our parishoners to volunteer in service to others. We offer care and support to a large number of the poor and unfortunate and wish to continue doing so with your help. Please check out the list below to see how and when you can participate in these amazing acts of charity!
For more information on these programs, please contact the Social Concerns Ministry office at socialconcerns@stlaurence.org or the individual contacts listed below.
LENT (FEBRUARY, MARCH)
THE GIVING TREEThis Lenten program gathers the many new household items, toiletries and cleaning supplies needed to run our Refugee Resettlement program. Not only does it fully supply at least 4 refugee family homes per year, the items also benefit those in need that come to St. Laurence for assistance during crisis situations.
The 2017 Giving Tree drive has concluded. If you would still like to make a donation, we are happy to accept contributions at any time in the Social Concerns Ministry Office.
For a complete list of items collected, visit the Giving Tree page. A sampling of the items we collect: toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, blankets (new), sheet sets (new), towels (new), silverware (new), pots & pans (new), etc. These types of items can also be donated throughout the year as we constantly need to refill our shelves!
MAY
BABY SHOWERThis Spring drive for baby items collects diapers, clothing, bottles, blankets, cribs, car seats and more. The items collected help to serve the needs of young mothers in the community that have no present support system. Distribution of these items is coordinated by the parish Gabriel Project. For more information on the Baby Shower or Gabriel Project, please contact Barbara Pane barbara@panefamily.com
JULY
BACK TO SCHOOL SHOE DRIVE
This Summer shoe drive collects and distributes new shoes to over 800 needy children in our community.
Watch the courtyard after Masses in July for the tag lines and check the calendar, bulletin or website for information on dates and deadlines as well as volunteering to help sort the shoes.
JULY
SCHOOL SUPPLY DROP-OFF
This summer drive is held in conjunction with the Shoe Drive
and provides much needed school supplies to area agencies.
When you drop off your shoes, drop off new school supplies fromthe list below:#2 standard pencils
Red checking pencils
Pencil sharpener with cover
Red ballpoint pens
Blue/black ballpoint pens
Yellow highlighters
Boxes of crayons (24)
Crayola Markers (standard/washable)
Box of map coloring pencils
12 inch ruler with inches and centimeters
Plastic Pencil box
Elmer’s school glue
Large glue sticks
Pink pearl erasers
Fiskar safety scissors
Fiskar metal pointed scissors
Spiral notebooks (wide-ruled)
Hard cover composition notebooks
Notebook paper, wide-ruled
3 ring binder (2” max)
Set of dividers
Pocket folders with brads
Package of dry erase markers
Flash Drive (2 GB preferred)
*Please purchase only as many of these items as you would like.
It is not necessary to purchase the entire list.
AUGUST
USED SHOE DRIVE
This end of summer drive collects used shoes for shipment to third world countries through the Soles for Souls program. St. Laurence has provided over 3,500 pairs of shoes over the last few years.
The Used Shoe Drive is typically scheduled for mid-August. Check our SCM calendar, the bulletin or website for information on dates and deadlines as well as volunteer opportunities.
NOV
EMBER
SHARE GOD'S BOUNTYThis Thanksgiving meal drive provides turkeys and "the fixin's" to complete over 800 meals for families in need in our parish and community. Meal tags and monetary donation envelopes will be available on the plaza after Masses Oct. 29/30 and Nov. 4/5. Share God’s Bounty food distribution is scheduled for Saturday, November 19th. The approximate cost of one meal is $35. Volunteer opportunities will be available online starting Oct. 31st. Check the SCM calendar, the bulletin or website for more information. To sign up:
- Visit the SIGN UP GENIUS website at www.signupgenius.com
- Click on “Find a Sign Up” (top right in very small print!)
- Click on “Search by Email”.
- Type in socialconcerns@stlaurence.org
- Find an area of interest and sign up!
DECEMBER
WISH UPON A STARThis annual Christmas gift drive provides over 2,000 Christmas gifts to benefit those in need in and around Fort Bend County. Those individuals and families served include: children, elderly, refugees, families in crisis and the military.
This effort begins in October and runs through the gift distribution in early to mid December. Watch for information in the bulletin, announcements after Mass and check the SCM Calendar for specific dates, deadlines and volunteer opportunities.