We’d love to help you connect with a ministry that you care about. To find out how to get involved, email Rev. Kim Dickerson-Oard.

Jefferson School Partnership

East Heights has a ministry partnership with the staff, families and children of nearby Jefferson Elementary School. Many of the students who attend Jefferson live in poverty and face huge obstacles. In an effort to make a difference, we provide backpacks and school supplies, serve as lunch buddies, read to the kids, support the teachers, and more! We also are part of a program that makes sure that the kids have food on the weekends. We get weekend food backpacks ready and then distribute them to the kids. Come join this partnership – there’s a place for you! Email Rev. Kim Dickerson-Oard for more information. To volunteer for Jefferson, please download and complete these forms, then return them to Pastor Kim Dickerson-Oard:

• USD 259 Volunteer Application

• Dept. for Children and Families Release

Sack Lunches for the Homeless

We get together on the second Wednesday of the month at 5 p.m. to make 100 sack lunches for the homeless served by United Methodist Open Door. It takes about an hour to help and helpers of all ages are welcome to assist.

Ongoing Food Drive

We collect food on a monthly basis to be distributed by United Methodist Open Door in Wichita. Next time, you’re at the store, pick up a jar of peanut butter, a box of macaroni and cheese or any kind of non-perishable food item and drop it off in the bin near Hedrick Hall and it will be distributed to Open Door’s Community Food Ministry.

Men on a Mission

We frequently schedule work days to paint homes for those in need or help with minor landscaping projects. Email Tim Stead for upcoming work days.

Dillons' Reward Cards

You can support United Methodist Women missions when you shop at Dillons

Just affiliate with East Heights UMC Women with your Dillons Plus Shopper’s Card or 1-2-3 Rewards Card. Anytime you shop at Dillons and scan your card, you’ll support Women of Faith missions. To sign up, visit www.dillons.com/communityrewards and scroll down to sign in to your account or create one. Click on “Enroll Now” and enter 10115, which is our number. Select East Heights Women of Faith and click “Enroll.” If you need assistance or do not have an email account, you can call Dillons at 866-221-4141, and they will help you. Share our number 10115 with your family and friends! The more people enrolled, the more we are able to help missions. You need to re-enroll every year in January.

Other Off-Site Ministry Opportunities in Wichita and the Surrounding Area

United Methodist Open Door

Provides services to the homeless and poor in Wichita and an eight county area. Services include food, clothing, day shelter for the homeless, transitional housing and other programs. Volunteer opportunities abound for individuals, families and students needing community service hours. Service can be on a one-time basis, monthly, weekly, daily or whatever schedule best fits your life. For more information or to volunteer, contact United Methodist Open Door at 267-4201 or visit their website at www.umopendoor.org.

GraceMed Health Clinic

GraceMed is a ministry of the United Methodist Church serving people in the Wichita area that have no other access to health care. It provides both medical and dental care to more than 32,000 people annually. In addition to financial contributions, donations of surplus equipment and supplies are also welcomed. there are also various work projects through the year for those wanting to donate time. Call 866-2069 for more information or visit their website at www.gracemed.org.

New Grocery Relief Ministry

Grocery Relief Ministry

Much has been reported in recent years about Wichita's 44 sq miles of food deserts, areas where residents have no easy access to healthy food. One such area is the Delano neighborhood where New Covenant UMC is bringing relief to 25 struggling families. Once a month NCUMC provides boxes of grocery staples, plus the ingredients to make two meals according to the recipes provided, to families which have been selected through an application process. The last Friday of the month is Grocery Relief day, but families receive much more than food boxes. In the small parking lot between NC's two buildings on W. Douglas, families are offered free haircuts, conversation and, if needed, prayer. In short, they are offered relationships. Relationships are central to the ministries of this small urban church which strives to offer help that is sustainable and transformational.

East Heights is partnering with Aldersgate UMC and Asbury UMC on a quarterly basis to support New Covenant in these efforts. You can participate in several ways. Monetary donations can be made by check or through EHUMC's online giving. Food donations (non-perishable) may be left at the church or arrangements can be made for pick-up. You may choose to provide an entire box/boxes of groceries or select items. Volunteers are also needed to box groceries ahead of pick-up and to help distribute boxes the day of pick-up. This is a great opportunity for Sunday School classes or small groups to be in mission together.

Questions regarding Grocery Relief can be directed to Carolyn Kretzer at cgkretzer@msn.com or 316-882-5080.

A recipient of the groceries boxes recently told New Covenant Pastor Cathy Lund Holley, "You have been the reminder that God works in wonderful ways." Pastor Cathy says "Grocery Relief is all about connecting with families in our neighborhood, and helping them see a connection with God."

Read more about this ministry in the Great Plains conference newsletter here.