PORT - An opportunity to serve others

Matt Deller will be leading our PORT ministry for the 2018-2019 season. (Thank you, Matt!) We are seeking volunteers to assist Matt, especially a few people to coordinate/prepare the two meals for December and March.  Although it seems like a long time until December, it is never too early to begin planning for this important ministry.  Please contact Rachel Roby in the church office for more information or to volunteer, 595-0371.

What Is PORT?

PORT (People Offering Resources Together) is an emergency winter shelter that hosts an average of 100 individuals per night, for 20 weeks during the winter. The name of this program really explains it all: it’s a safe harbor, made possible by a network of 130 interfaith (Christian and non-Christian) groups that provide the facilities, volunteers, food, clothes and many other resources to homeless men, women and children in our area.

How Do We, as a Parish Help?

The shelter moves to a different church every week, and each night, there’s a new group of volunteers responsible for welcoming the guests and providing at least two  meals (dinner and breakfast) per day. St. Andrew’s serves as a Partner Church for one night/morning in December and again in March.

What Other Resources Are Provided through the PORT Ministry?

Each season, PORT volunteers and staff get involved in planning, cooking, or distributing clothes and hygiene donations. In addition to the hundreds of volunteers, a sheriff’s deputy provides security in the shelter; intake and social workers provide guests with information, job referrals, notary services, and more. The services provided in the shelter are designed to meet the holistic needs of the guests: emergency, short, and long term. Other services provided at PORT include: community referrals, case management, collection of homeless data, medical referrals, on-site medical evaluations and dental care, showers, provision of transportation, flu/pneumonia shots, information for affordable housing, job placement and job referrals, identification services, filing taxes, nutrition education, AA, N.A, life skills training, and more.

And Last but Not Least!

Thank-you to Margie Holt, Louise Ragland, and Joy Johnson who have, along with Matt, led our team of PORT volunteers for the past several years.  Their tireless efforts have made such a difference in the lives of so many!  And thanks also to the many other St. Andrew’s volunteers who have served on the team!