The following Community organizations and resources are listed with the purpose of 100% of our church family engaging personally, or as a family, or a LIFEgroup, or as friends. Our vision as the Bethesda Church family includes Living on Mission and in so doing we extend the hope of Jesus who is transforming the world.
The first six agencies listed serve in Jesus’ name in response to the gospel.
Apple Pregnancy Care Center
Key Contact: Executive Director Melinda Gardner
Email: volunteer@applepcc.org
Phone: 715-834-5254
www.applepcc.org
friendsofapple.org
Apple Pregnancy Care Center
2600 Stein Blvd # 2
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Volunteers can help in these ways:
Prayer — so important in all we do. For protection, provision, safety, that God will be praised, that women considering abortion will hear us out, that our parents will break the cycles as they come for education and support, for the volunteers, for the board, for the staff.
Volunteer — Volunteer to work with clients. Training is required and is held each spring and fall. For a volunteer packet and a tour, contact Rachel Binczak, volunteer coordinator: rbinczak@applepcc.org
Donate — You can donate (in good condition only please) maternity clothing, baby clothing (up to 24 months), bassinets, car seats (less than 5 years old only), new cribs (no drop sides), mattresses, strollers, and many other baby items. We also take children’s books, and books pertaining to pregnancy and parenting, and toys. Diapers and wipes are a continuous need – especially packages of sizes 4-5-6.
Walk at the event every September.
Be there for a single parent you know — encourage, mentor, shovel their snow, give them childcare sometime.
Chippewa Valley Street Ministry
Key Contact: Pastor Mike Henry
Email: mikeah3@gmail.com
Phone: 847-539-9577
https://www.chippewavalleystreetministry.org/
Chippewa Valley Street Ministry
PO Box 51
Eau Claire, WI 54702
Mission statement: Dedicated to helping those in need with respect and dignity. We seek to meet the needs of those who are not able to find housing, clothing and other basic needs to survive. We also seek to connect people in need with other resources. Beyond meeting the physical needs of people, we are there to offer prayer, a compassionate ear, a human touch and our friendship. We are a ministry that works with those who tend to fall through the cracks.
Volunteers can help in these ways / Biggest needs:
Donations of clothing and other goods (backpacks, hygiene items, sleeping bags, etc.). The ‘most wanted’ list is available on the website (www.chippewavalleystreetministry.org) and often on our Facebook page.
City bus passes and/or gas cards (Kwik Trip, Holiday) to help our friends get to work and to appointments. Transportation is often difficult. Food cards (Subway, McDonalds, etc.) which help sustain those who are working and/or unable to eat regularly in other places.
Financial donations to help us keep people safe (especially women) and to give people a break from their life on the street. We occasionally are able to provide a night in a motel if we have available funding. Financial donations also help keep the Street Ministry vans running.
Volunteers to distribute clothing and snacks. We distribute on Tuesdays and Fridays from 5:30–7 pm in the city parking lot across from the Sojourner House on Barstow St. Regular volunteers may choose to be personally involved in friendship and mentorship of those we serve. It’s great if we know ahead of time if you’d like to join us during distribution. We have, at times, had groups bring food (chili, or hot chocolate, for example) to share during distribution. This can be arranged by contacting Pastor Mike.
Prayers for our street friends, our volunteers, and our community are always appreciated.
Choose Aftercare
Email: info@chooseaftercare.org
Phone: 715-450-1146
www.chooseaftercare.org
Choose Aftercare
420 Washington Street
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Provides transitional housing, support, and empowerment to men with histories of incarceration, homelessness, and addictions.
Volunteers can help in these ways:
Invite a representative to give a presentation at your church
Give a scholarship or donation to cover one month or more’s rent for individuals who need some help starting out. You can commit to giving each month, to assist individuals coming out of jail/prison or off the street.
Share Choose Aftercare information with people in your church who may have a need or may know people who have a need for housing.
Good News Jail and Prison Ministry
Key Contact: Brian Jahn
Email: brian.jahn@goodnewsjail.org
Phone: 715-839-6296
goodnewsjail.org
Good News Jail and Prison Ministry
50 E Spruce St
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin 54729
The work of Good News Jail & Prison Ministry is to plant and build the church of Jesus Christ around the world. Our work takes us to places most would never consider – jails and prisons – where we are seeing God do amazing things in the hearts and lives of men, women and children behind bars.
Volunteers can help in these ways:
1. Serve
Teach a bible study
Grade a Bible lesson
Participate in worship
Mentor a young life in Christ
2. Give
Keep a chaplain behind bars and provide the resources to reach men and women in need.
3. Pray and Fast
Ask God to work through chaplains and volunteers to reach inmates around the world with His message of Good News
Vision Statement: To reach every inmate in the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ that they might become growing disciples.
Purpose Statement: To be used of the Lord in correctional facilities for:
Effective Evangelism – sharing the clear message of the Gospel
Biblical Discipleship – equipping believers to be devoted followers of Christ
Church Mobilization – challenging the church and community to partner in ministry to meet the needs of inmates
Hope Gospel Mission
Key Contact: Linda Velie
Email: volunteer@hopegospelmission.org
Phone: 715.552.5566
hopegospelmission.org
Hope Gospel Mission, Main Office
2650 Mercantile Drive
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Volunteer — Join our team of volunteers dedicated to helping Rescue, Rebuild and Renew lives of men, women and children in our community. There are many ways to serve at the Mission: sorting donations, cooking, driving residents, tutoring and so much more.
See volunteer needs at: www.hopegospelmission.org/get-involved/volunteer
Questions? Contact the Community Relations Coordinator by e-mail at volunteer@hopegospelmission.org or by phone at (715) 491-0905.
General information
Volunteers can help in these ways:
Mentoring Church Support: One to One Discipling Relationship with Residents
Volunteer Chaplain Work: Bible Study, Biblical Counseling
Tutor at the Learning Center: Correcting test, teaching, data entry
Cooking at resident houses
Volunteer Daytime Shuttle bus driver
Bargain Center volunteer worker
Biggest needs:
1. Prayer
That God would help meet the needs of each resident who enter into the doors of Hope Gospel Mission, those who suffer from addiction, mental illness, physical limitation, and broken hearts.
That God would help the staff to grow to teach the residents to have the ability to move past their “limitations” to be the men and woman that God originally designed them to be.
2. Mentoring residents
Spiritually assisting resident to grow in their faith and trust in God.
The Salvation Army
Key Contact: Amanda Radle
Email: amanda.radle@usc.salvationarmy.org
Phone: 715-834-1224 ext. 2
salvationarmy.org
2211 S. Hastings Way
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Volunteers can help in these ways:
Collect items for the hygiene center
Help at the Chippewa Falls food pantry location
Biggest needs:
Hygiene items (Laundry soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)
Christmas Bell-Ringing
The Salvation Army is in dire need of volunteers who are willing to serve their neighbors by ringing bells in their local community during the short bell-ringing season. All of the money collected in the kettles in Eau Claire/Chippewa Counties are used exclusively to help your friends, neighbors, and their families in Eau Claire/Chippewa Counties who are in need.
Sign up to ring at registertoring.org, or by contacting Karen Frederick (715-834-1224), or Bob Schummer (715-559-4926) for available dates, times, and locations.
These two important community agencies welcome volunteers to help
provide services to our neighbors here in the Chippewa Valley.
The Community Table
Key Contacts:
Phone: 715-835-4977, 715-456-6527
Email: volunteer@thecommunitytable.org
http://thecommunitytable.org/
The Community Table
320 Putnam Street
P.O. Box 1903
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Vision statement: Since 1993, The Community Table has been nourishing hungry bodies and spirits in the Eau Claire Community by serving one meal each day, 365 days a year on a no-questions asked basis. Anyone can join our table during meal time. Approximately 140 meals each day. Meets basic needs of serving a daily meal and safety.
Volunteers can help in these ways / Biggest needs:
Serve Meals — Gather friends, family, your LIFEgroup, or just yourself, and help serve a meal. Call (715) 835-4977 ext. 7 or e-mail to: volunteer@thecommunitytable.org
Donate — Donations can be made to The Community Table online at thecommunitytable.org/help or with a direct donation at the facility. Another easy way to make an impact is to shop with Amazon Smile. Go to smile.amazon.com and add The Community Table as your preferred charitable organization. A percentage of all purchases made will benefit The Community Table! You can also shop for our needed items from our Amazon wish list. (www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3JR93R4LRJKPR)
Provide items on our monthly list of needs
Gas cards from Kwik Trip
Large containers of non-Italian salad dressings
HP62 ink cartridges
Rubber gloves for cleaning, size: XL
Postage stamps
Bandages for minor cuts, waterproof if possible
Coordinate a monthly serving group from your Lifegroup, Bible Study or friends
Feed My People Food Bank
Key Contact: Assistant Director Suzanne Becker
Email: Suzanne@fmpfoodbank.org
Phone: 715-835-9415 ext. 104
www.fmpfoodbank.org
Feed My People Food Bank
2610 Alpine Road
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Volunteers can help in these ways:
Connection – We are always looking for new partnerships that enable us to expand our reach to those in need.
Words – Help us educate and share the message of those in need. Many wonderful people don’t understand that even during a time of a better economy, that there are still so many who struggle. In addition, it’s important to share how many wonderful nonprofits there are who can provide help in many different ways.
Time – Feed My People has a tremendous amount of diverse volunteer opportunities. Bethesda already has a regular volunteer group that comes once a month. Thank you! In the past you have also packed kids meals with youth and others. We always have need!
Financial – like all nonprofits, this is always a need. We are tremendously grateful for your support of Lakeshore. It truly has enabled us to expand our program to other schools.
Food – if you are ever interested in a food drive, I would suggest you talk with us to figure out how to make the most out of this. Ideas are to do a peanut butter drive or a drive for personal care items.