Donations & Volunteers warmly welcomed!
Donations are needed for Homeless Health Kits: toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, washcloths, disposable razors, shampoo, lip balm, as well as blankets for the winter months.
Donations of food for meals are also needed. The meals typically consist of water or juice, a sandwich, fruit, chips or pretzels and a granola bar.
How to Make a Homeless Health Kit
First, you will need a gallon-size plastic zipper bag.
(You can use a small backpack, fanny pack, or purse)
Contents Include:
| NECESSITIES | OPTIONAL |
|---|---|
| Washcloth | Bottled Water |
| Toothbrush | Trail Mix (without peanuts) |
| Toothpaste (travel size) | Feminine Hygiene Products |
| Soap | Mini Flashlight |
| Shampoo (travel size) | Hand Sanitizer (travel size) |
| Disposable Razor | Tissues |
| Chapstick | Gloves |
| Face Mask | Socks |
You can include a small book of word searches, crossword puzzles, sudoku, coloring pages & something to write or draw with.
The homeless outreach program at Faith UMC was started more than fifteen years ago by Michael Bennett and his then-friend, now wife, Grace. At the time they were students at Wesley Seminary and Michael was serving as an assistant pastor at Faith UMC under the tutelage of Rev. Dennis Dorsch. While in Washington, D.C. one evening they observed some homeless people and were moved to do something to help. As a first step, they bought some bread, sandwich meat, and cheese and made sandwiches which they distributed. Through this small act of kindness evolved the homeless outreach program at Faith United Methodist Church in Accokeek, MD.
Reverend Dorsch picked up on the program and the congregation began providing the makings for approximately 40 lunches which were distributed every Sunday evening in and around the downtown section of Washington. Each lunch included a sandwich, snacks such as chips, fruit, a dessert item, and a drink. With the help of a driver, Rev. Dorsch delivered the lunches in his car for several years until Faith UMC acquired a van. This acquisition upgraded the program and made it possible to distribute more lunches as well as articles of clothing, blankets, and sundry other items, including health kits.
Eventually, the program increased to the point that the small congregation at Faith was strained to continue on. It was at this point that Rev. Dorsch enlisted the help of several young Methodist pastors whom he had been mentoring and who now had churches of their own. There are four churches that, on a rotating basis, now provide the meals, clothing, etc. and Faith UMC provides leadership and additional transportation in the distribution to the homeless each week. The four churches are St. Thomas in Manassas, VA, Andrew Chapel in Stafford, VA, Cedar Grove in Deale, MD, and Union Chapel in Berkley Springs, WV. The number of homeless people served each week fluctuates from 150-160 during the spring, summer, and fall to 75-90 in the colder months.
