Serving others, in our own backyard and around the world, has been at the heart of West Side's ministry since the church was founded in 1912. Here are some ways you can use your gifts to give back.
Rise Against Hunger
Want to learn about the global hunger epidemic and be part of the solution? Join us on the lower level on Saturday, October 7 at 9:00 am! We'll package 10,000 meals in two hours for Rise Against Hunger, whose mission is to end hunger worldwide by 2030. We need 70 to 80 volunteers to assemble the packages containing rice, soy protein, dehydrated vegetables, and 20 essential vitamins and nutrients, which will be distributed to vulnerable communities around the world. It's a wonderful hands-on service project for all ages, including families with young children. Please note: Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Passaic County Habitat for Humanity
Bring a pair of work gloves and help build a permanent, affordable home alongside Passaic County Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, October 21. We'll meet at West Side at 7:30 am and carpool to Passaic, returning by 3:30 pm. No special skills are required! Ten to 12 volunteers are needed.
Community Thrift Shop
The Community Thrift Shop in Midland Park (located in the rear of the Kings shopping plaza) is looking for two volunteers per shift on Tuesday, October 31 - 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Responsibilities include receiving and sorting through donations.
City Relief
City Relief needs six volunteers to serve those experiencing poverty and homelessness in Paterson on Saturday, November 11. We depart from Grace Redeemer Church in Glen Rock at 8:45 am and return by 3:15 pm. Transportation is provided to and from Paterson.
Eva's Village
Come serve lunch at Eva's Community Kitchen, which provides an average of 1,100 meals a day to those who are struggling with food insecurity and homelessness in Paterson. We'll meet in the church parking lot on Saturday, November 18 at 10:30 am and carpool to Paterson.
Food Drive
While you're grocery shopping, please fill an extra bag or two for the Center for Food Action and Social Service Association of Ridgewood and Vicinity. The most needed items include: canned fruit and vegetables, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, pasta and pasta sauce, canned meat and fish, canned stew and hearty soup, cold cereal (low sugar), oatmeal, pancake mix, powdered/boxed milk, 100% juice, bar or bottled soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, baby cereal, baby formula, diapers (size 4, 5 and 6), toilet paper and paper towels. Donations may be dropped off at West Side Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm or Sunday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Plastic Bag Recycling
Don't throw away your produce bags, bubble wrap, newspaper sleeves or dry cleaning bags. Bring them to West Side! Drop your clean, dry, recyclable plastic bags in one of the white bins located in the lobby and narthex Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm or Sunday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Not sure what's recyclable? Here's a test: If the plastic stretches when you pull it, it's recyclable. If it tears like paper, is shiny or makes a crinkly sound in your hand (like a chip bag or a candy bar wrapper), it's NOT recyclable.