The United Methodist Church of Westford provides support to many within our community and around New England. Some of the organizations we support include:
Westford Food Pantry and Open Pantry of Greater Lowell
Every week, we donate and transport food to these pantries to help the hungry in our local communities. You can bring donations to church each Sunday or help in the rotation of delivery volunteers. If you've subscribed to the church email, please see the list of specific needs each week. Please remember that hunger lives near us.
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Loaves and Fishes
We donate food, goods and services to this "mission of love & faith" created by 3 women in Ayer, MA almost 30 years ago. It's now the largest food pantry in North Central Massachusetts serving Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley. It provides clothing, food, counseling, and emergency services to people in need while helping them become more independent and self reliant.
St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen
Every month, we provide the food and prepare and serve dinner for over 100 men, women and children at the Eliot Church in Lowell. Want to learn more?
Faith Works
Along with two Methodist churches in Chelmsford, we donate a work day each Spring to needy families in the area to help with household repairs, painting and yard work. Faith Works, 2011 is right around the corner. Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 14th! Click here for details and see what's new!
Westford Relay for Life
UMCW is always very actively involved in this global organization's annual relay. Click here for more information.
Summer Youth Mission Trip
One of the highlights of the last 5 years, the Summer Youth Mission provides primarily building support to residents of rural Maine.
Holiday Drive for Maine's Penobscot Tribe
There are about 2,200 Penobscot Indians living on 4,900 acres along the Penobscot River, and many of the neediest are the 400 living on Indian Island. Through one of our members whose grandmother was born there, we try to help provide a nice Thanksgiving and Christmas meal and some special presents for the children each year.
Birthday Party for Jesus
One of our largest mission projects every year, our Birthday Party for Jesus serves local missions and families in Lowell and Westford. Organizations supported have included:
Milly’s Place & Merrimack House - Both shelter 6 families, assisting in locating affordable housing while providing a temporary, safe and supportive environment.
Alternative House - A shelter offering comprehensive services to women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
My Father's House - A living and learning center for pregnant and parenting teenage girls who require long-term care and education in order to become self sufficient, loving, and productive parents.
House of Hope - A temporary shelter that provides advocacy and care for homeless individuals and families, empowering them to take the necessary steps to move away from the shelter into a living situation of their own.
Mental Health Association - Operates five homes for children and adults who are mentally challenged.
Local family- Three children being raised by a relative due to a tragic family situation.
The needs of these organizations and families are identified and placed as ornaments on a "Giving Tree" for our members to take and buy for. Donations of gift certificates, new clothing and toys are then brought to church the Sunday before Christmas where they're collected, sorted and then delivered to each of the local missions. We usually fill more than 200 wishes each year.
For more information about how you can help support these missions, please contact our Missions Team Lead.
