Community Needs during the Pandemic

We know the needs in our community are great in the midst of caring for the most vulnerable at this time. This list contains several service and outreach opportunities that you can do at this time.
*New volunteer opportunities are marked with a ★
Delaware Conference Backpack Supply Drive

The Delaware Conference backpack supply drive, to support children served by Chester Eastside, Inc. and Christ Lutheran Church, Upper Darby, has begun. Items can be purchased online and shipped directly to Jody Troyan, the drive coordinator. Click the link below to view and shop from the Amazon wish list. You can select Jody’s address at check out to ship directly to him.

Click here to view the Amazon Wishlist.

Riddle ICU

The Interfaith Council of Southern Delaware County is “adopting” units at Riddle Hospital. Reformation is paired with the Intensive Care Unit. Click here to learn more about how you can help support the ICU staff at Riddle.

Feast of Justice
★ Feast of Justice, a Lutheran ministry in Northeast Philadelphia, has been providing support for over 1,500 families each week.
Currently, Feast of Justice is in need of diapers for the community. To donate, call Feast of Justice to arrange a drop off time or have donations shipped directly to their location. Click here to access that contact information or to sign up to volunteer at Feast of Justice.
The Welcome Church

Help provide needed items to The Welcome Church and The Well. Wish lists have been created for Target and Amazon. You can click appropriate links to shop directly from those sites and mail the needed items directly to The Welcome Church and The Well. (Be sure to select the correct address at checkout!)

Our Closet

★ Our Closet is in need of clothing donations – especially men’s casual clothes. They are receiving donations at multiple local drop off sites. Click this link to visit their website to view items currently being accepted and to coordinate a donation drop off at one of their locations.

Cradles to Crayons

Cradles to Crayons has developed a volunteer opportunity database. You can search for opportunities by location and find ways to help in the area or from home. Click here to go to their website and use the Volunteer Match on the homepage to connect to local volunteer opportunities.

Cradles to Crayons is now receiving donations at their Giving Factory through contactless donation drop containers (SmartBoxes are located in the parking lot near the main entrance).  Click here for directions to drop off donations.

In addition, C2C has developed a volunteer opportunity database and at home service opportunities. You can search for opportunities by location and find ways to help in the area or from home.

Caring for Friends

Fill the Freezer for Caring for Friends! A Caring for Friends meal supply pick-up and completed meal drop-off will be held at Reformation on Tuesday, July 7, and Thursday, July 23. Click here to access all the instructions.

You can help Caring for Friends by developing “caring notes” for snack bags. Caring for Friends provides meals for homebound and hungry people in the Philadelphia area. Click here to see the instructions to make “caring notes.

Media Food Bank

Media Food Bank is receiving donations Monday to Friday from 12 noon – 2 pm. You can take donations of basic food supplies, household supplies, and personal hygiene items directly to the Media Food Bank located at First Church Media. Click here for directions to Media Food Bank.

Lutheran Settlement House

Lutheran Settlement House (LSH) is in need of volunteers every weekday morning to pack food and organize daily produce deliveries. If you are able to volunteer at LSH please email Erica Zaveloff, LSH Director of Development and Communications, to coordinate volunteering.

Paul's Run Retirement Community

Paul’s Run Retirement Community is receiving notes of cheer and good wishes for their residents. Paul’s Run is a Lutheran care community but home to people of many faith traditions so please make notes general well wishes that can be shared with everyone! Notes can be mailed addressed to: Chaplain at Paul’s Run, 9896 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19115.

Red Cross

The Red Cross is in need of blood donations. If you are able to donate, visit the Red Cross website to locate a drive soon near you. Click here to connect to their website now.

Liberty Lutheran

Liberty Lutheran is asking for donations to support their drive for 3,000 homemade masks for healthcare workers. For more information and instructions to make these masks, click here to connect with Liberty Lutheran’s website.

KenCrest

KenCrest is in need of drivers to deliver meals to children served in their Early Learning Centers. Drivers will help deliver a week’s worth of food to the more than 500 children enrolled in KenCrest’s programs. Click here to learn more and sign up for the area you are able to serve as a delivery driver.

ELCA Advocacy

ELCA Advocacy is working closely on government programs to support those with needs caused or enhanced by the pandemic. Click here to visit the ELCA Advocacy website to earn about the work they are doing, find resources, and links to connect to elected officials.

Holiday Offering

The greatest resource that local agencies are in need of is financial support. We encourage you to give to our Holiday Offering. You can contribute by mailing a check to the church, use bill pay through your bank, or give through our secure online platform (choose the “Holiday Offering” option from the drop down menu). This link will give you additional information about all of these giving options. Your gifts will enable Reformation to provide immediate support to these important local partners such as Philabundance, Chester Eastside, Inc., and Caring for Friends.

Reformation Response Team

One of greatest things you can do is check in on your neighbors that might be in need of assistance at this time – such as providing meals, picking up groceries, getting prescriptions. If this is something that you are able to provide for other Reformation members and friends please click here to sign up.

Community Partners

You can access a full list of our community partners and connect directly to the agencies here. Once social distancing restrictions are lifted, our community action ministry team will be busy coordinating site visits and engagement days for many partners on this list.