In The Community

BACKPACK ATTACK / UNITED WAY

Calvary is proud to serve as a Live United partner for United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties. Through this partnership, we support the Backpack Attack program which provides hungry students a child-friendly bag of supplemental food to take home over the weekend. Each year Calvary volunteers pack more than 3,000 bags of food. All are invited to participate!

THE SHELF FOR STUDENTS

Located at Alexandria Area High School, The Shelf for Students provides food, personal care items, school supplies, and select clothing items to high school students in need. Calvary is the primary partner with AAHS staff and social workers to carry out this program, although many local businesses and individuals generously support its work. The Shelf is guided by this important belief: Every student has the right to access healthy food and basic necessities, freeing them insecurities associated with hunger and poverty.

ADVENT GIVING TREE

Many of us are looking for a way to spread generosity during the holiday season. Calvary’s giving tree annually sponsors 100 local kids in need through a partnership with United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties. To participate, look for the tree filled with colorful ornaments in the gathering space, beginning each November.

FREE TAX PREPARATION

Each winter, Calvary hosts West Central MN Communities Action Free Tax Preparation Program. West Central’s mission is to reduce the effects of poverty and to help people achieve self-sufficiency, and improve the quality of rural life. If you could benefit from this tax-prep service or know someone who could, please contact West Central directly at (218)685-7004 or (800)492-4805, ext. 9.

In The World

BIHAR, INDIA

Bihar, India is one of the poorest places on earth. Since 2016, Calvary has committed prayers, time, and financial resources to end hunger for thousands of people in this region through a partnership with Lutheran World Relief and 10 other congregations around the United States. This project provides training, education, and new technology so the people of Bihar will increase their food security, income, and ability to not just survive—but to thrive. Read more about the important work of LWR in Bihar.

MISSION KITS AND QUILTS

During Calvary mission work days each year, over 1,300 of various health kits, layettes, and school kits are assembled, and nearly 500 quilts are packaged for people around the world. While we can’t predict when natural disasters strike, and while we can’t solve extreme global poverty overnight—we can play a tangible role in providing care and recovery. Contact the church if you have questions or would like to donate supplies.

Weekly Mission Quilting: Mondays, 9:00 am (all skill levels welcome!)

In The Church

BE A VOLUNTEER

In a typical week, nearly 750 people gather at Calvary for worship, and it takes as many as 60 volunteers to make worship happen. Are you willing to help? Our needs for service within the church are as varied and diverse as the people who worship at each service. Sign-up to serve on a worship support team at Calvary, or contact the church with questions.