HELP OUR COMMUNITY

Here are some ways to help our community.  We will update this page as opportunities arise, so please check back!  Thank you for being the Church for our community!  

Ways to HELP

Year-Round Opportunities

The Picnic Project 

The Picnic Project need help with sorting and distributing food on Thursday at noon, Friday from 10am – 12pm, and Sunday from 1pm-3pm. Please contact the office at hello@lakesideumc.net if you are interested in helping.  

Our Homeless Neighbors Need Our Help

The Christian Sharing Center’s Oasis is the only resource drop-in facility for our homeless neighbors in Seminole County. They help provide warm showers, laundry service, and case management – and are seeing 40 – 50 individuals each day. They are running desperately low on razors, conditioner, men’s shoes and boxer briefs, as well as deodorant. If you have access to these items, please drop-off at their Pantry, Monday – Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. We are so grateful for your support to our homeless neighbors in need!

Grace & Grits

Because of  concern around the safety of guests and volunteers,  First UMC plans to shift to an additional grocery distribution day instead of a hot meal until further notice. 

Here are the ways in which we can help: 

•  If you know anyone in need of grocery assistance, please refer them to First UMC’s  alleyway entrance off of Fifth Street in downtown Sanford either Fridays from 10am-12pm or Sundays from 1pm to 3pm. All are welcome! They provide grains, canned and fresh proteins, bread and pastries, canned and fresh vegetables, fruit, snack foods and occasionally other things acquired from Second Harvest such as orange juice or children’s snack items. Folks are simply required to give their name, family size, and answer preference questions like whether they’d like the additional items available. 
• The Society of St. Andrew’s gleaning program makes it possible for groups to pick otherwise unused fresh produce to be distributed to folks at their bi-weekly grocery distribution. If you have a group that would like to glean, you can contact Kelly at Society of St Andrew, coordinate a group gleaning, and work with them to drop it off at First UMC at their next available days. 
• If you are in a low risk group and would like to help distribute food to the community in safe and efficient way, please contact us. First UMC often times need a small group of folks to help with this.
• If you are in a low risk group and would like to help to sort the food on Thursdays, please contact us.

Have Questions ? 

If you have questions, you can email hello @lakesideumc [dot] net or call the office at 407-330-6560.