During the year our Outreach Committee is very busy with the following projects at different times of the year:

• Sunday Lunch at Bissell for Inner City Pastoral Ministries - provide and serve.
  
• Food Drives in February and October and monthly support of the Unity Centre food bank.
  
• Fill the Crib for Bissell Babies - in April we collect donation of goods and/or money which is then sent to Bissell to aid with their programs.
  
• Caring and Sharing Sunday in June we collect toiletries and funds for local and northern Women's and Men's Shelters.
  
• Charlie Brown Tree - in late November a bare tree is placed in the Sanctuary and following two Sundays warm mitts, hats, socks and scarves are placed on the tree.  These items are then divided up and given to the following organizations to give to those in need:  Inner City Pastoral Ministries, Unity Centre and Dickinsfield Amity House.
  
• White Gift Sunday - usually the first Sunday of December - new, unwrapped gifts and given to Bissell's Christmas Programs for adults and children
  
• January's Child formally Bissell Adopt-a-Child financial support is collected for Bissell's Children's Programs.
  
• Support for Caring Community Christmas Dinner through Unity Centre.

There are also the following projects that happen all year round:

• Fellowship Hour - weekly refreshments after the Sunday Worship Service.
  
• Edmonton Food Bank Distribution Centre - Wednesdays 6:30 - 7:30 pm.
  
• Certificates for Bissell - collection of Canadian Tire Money is given to Bissell Centre.  Other certificates are also welcome.
  
• Campbell Soup Labels - are collected and donated to Bissell Centre, who then receive educational dollars from Campbell Soups to help with their child care programs.  Food Services products, are also eligible for points.
  
• Grocery Cart - food items are collected and donated to Unity Centre to help their food bank shelves.
  
• Eyeglasses - we collect old eyeglasses, lens, and hearing aids for Lions RECYCLE For Sight 
  
• Used Stamps - we collect used stamps for Canadian Bible Society.  1 kg of stamps = 2 Bibles.

Listed below are three links to needs at the Bissell Centre:

Bissell Centre Wish List

Info Sheet for Donations

Warm Words

January’s Child

During the month of January, you have an opportunity to "support" a child/children in one of Bissell Centre’s day-care-programs. In today’s bulletin you will find an envelope marked "January’s Child". Your donation - cash or cheque (payable to McClure) can be put in the offering plate. Your donation will be used towards the operation of the Bissell’s day-care programs. Stats from a recent newsletter: Bissell has served 570 children from 370 families. Of those surveyed, 97 % felt their family life was better. Please note this change: All cheques are payable to McClure UC, who will then issue one cheque to Bissell; your donation will be receipted on your 2012 tax receipt from McClure.

Thank you on behalf of the Outreach Committee