Gibsons United Church

......where everyone is welcome......

First United Church - Vancouver

It is a grey, raining morning in Vancouver.  Outside First United Church Mission a crowd has gathered waiting for the doors to open at 8:30am.  The church's pews are home to people who need a place to sleep during the day.  Blankets are handed out on a first-come, first-served basis.  During the winter about 80 people sleep here, with some having to stretch out on the hallway floors.  At First United, staff know that sleep and rest are important nourishment for the body, and people are welcome here.

Each morning about 400 mugs of nourishing soup made by dedicated volunteers warm up those who have been out on the street overnight or who live in rooms without cooking facilities.  At mid-morning 500 mugs of coffee, 80 cups of tea, and sandwiches are served to the hundreds who come into the building.  Volunteers come from various church groups and, after serving, help load the industrial dishwashers.  Look around and you will see that there is more than food and rest as nourishment here.  This community is also food for the spirit.  People are welcomed with warm and friendly greetings, and the regulars are called by their name.

Items Always In Need

	Men, Women, Children's Clothing	Sleeping Bags/Blankets
	Gloves & Hats & Coats	Clean 250ml & 500ml Plastic Tubs (yogurt, sour cream, margarine, etc)
	Board Games & Cards	Coffee Mugs
	Pill Containers/Film Containers	Hotel Size Toiletries

For a full list, www.firstunited.ca/itemswewantandneed

Your gifts to the Mission and Service Fund help to keep First United Church Mission open, providing much needed nourishment for both body and spirit.

First United Church is an inner city ministry of the United Church of Canada, called by the Spirit to be a part of the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.  This ministry affirms the worth of individuals, empowers communities, and works for social justice.  In recent years, as the downtown eastside has continued to be the home for the most impoverished members of society, the outreach work at First has tried to keep pace with the growing demands to walk with those with addictions, mental illness and other medical conditions who might otherwise not survive.

Do you have items to donate?  Drop them off in the narthex and mark the sack as First United.