The members of St. Matthew's Outreach Committee are your representatives in serving God's people in the Brown's Point-Tacom-Federal Way area.
 

A Three Pronged Approach to Community Outreach
 

First, it spends its allocated portion of the St. Matthew Annual Budget to help finance local charitable and service organizations.
 

Secondly, through the Deacon's Chest program, it researches and publicizes additional charities that members of the congregation may want to consider for personal donations.  These are often 'in-kind' or goods such as food or clothing, in addition to cash.
 

Finally, the Committee assists members of the congregation in living out their Baptismal Covenant by sponsoring opportunities for direct service to the poor and to the community at large.  These may be one-time "events"  such as Grocery Bag Challenge, September's bag lunch for local Habitat for Humanity builders, or the fleece blanket making projects we have had for several years at Christmas.

 

St. Matthew also makes its facilities available to AA for meetings and to the Cursillo and Kairos community and the Points Northeast Historical Society for occasional events.

 

In the past, contributions to Christian and Social Services from St. Matthew's Outreach Budget have gone to: the Tacoma Rescue Mission,once-a-month Sunday dinner, Associated Ministries of Tacoma, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, YWCA Services for Battered Women, the Emergency Food Network, the Holy Family of Jesus Asian Food Bank, Tacoma Seamen's Center, and the Pierce County Alliance.

 

"Unfunded" expanded Outreach, (the food, clothing and cash requests), done through the Deacon's Chest monthly support programs have included collections for the Emergency Food Network, the Bridges Counseling Program for Grieving Children, Nativity House day center, Tacoma Seamen's Center, YWCA Battered Women's Services, school supplies in August, Giving Tree for Kids in December.

 

The participation and suggestions of our community are invited.