Christ United Methodist Ministry Center (CMC) is a Methodist-based 501(c)3 (non-profit) charity in San Diego working to provide physical and emotional assistance for the disadvantaged and underserved communities in San Diego County. Following Mathew 25 guidance to “welcome strangers”, CMC also has over ten years of experience in helping refugees who crossed into San Diego through the Southern border with Mexico, establishing another 501(c)3 (non-profit) called Safe Harbors Network (SHN). Through CMC and SHN, thousands of documented refugees through the last decade who were fleeing disasters, famine, droughts, criminal activity, violence, wars, poverty, or other unbearable circumstances have been served.
Now, SHN has been asked to step up to help serve refugees from Ukraine and given the temporary use of many homes around San Diego and its adjacent locations, either free or at very low rents. Most of them are completely furnished, but some are not. Yet, even most of the furnished homes need additional linens, dishes, pots and pans, etc. Right now, CMC is in the process of vetting 15 additional new homes made available to them in the San Diego area; and they have just completed furnishing and setting up “dormitory spaces” in a more remote CA location which can house 50 more refugees temporarily.
This is how you can help. Below is a list of the things that are always needed to help provide for housing refugees. These items don’t need to be new, just in serviceable condition. Please share this list of needs with your congregations so that those who have some household items on the list could donate them. Both CMC and SHN are tax-deductible non-profit agencies and could provide acknowledgement to the donor(s) for deductions on their taxes if desired. It is anticipated that many additional homes will soon become available to the Ukrainian refugees.
If your congregation cannot provide any of the material goods on the list, because of logistics or other difficulties, you can also make a financial donation directly to Christ Ministry Center, 3295 Meade Ave, San Diego, CA 92116. Contact CMC directly if you’d like to get involved or have any questions. CMC’s point of contact is Rev Dr. Donald Owens, Associate Director, 619-284-9205, AssocDir@cummc.org.
This is a great way for the South District to live into Cal-Pac’s vision to End Spiritual and Physical Hunger! Let’s respond to this need from Safe Harbors Network and support the vital ministry of welcoming immigrants and refugees among us.
Blessings,
Sandy Olewine
South District Superintendent
Furniture:
Couches or sofa beds
Bunk Beds
Twin Mattresses
Baby Beds (cribs)
Kitchen Tables
Chairs
Dish Racks
Household Items
Twin Sheets
Blankets
Towels & wash cloths
Dishes
Cups, plastic glasses
Kitchen Utensils
Pots and pans
Tablecloths
Paper Towels
Paper Napkins
Hand Sanitizer
Toilet Paper
Laundry Soap
Bounce sheets
Dish Washing Liquid
Trash Bags
Personal Items
Women’s Clothes
Children’s Clothes
Men’s Clothes
Shoes (especially children’s)
Diapers (all sizes)
Baby Wipes
Bath Soap
Shampoo
Various toiletries
Food
Non-Perishable Food (canned food, rice, etc)
Baby Formula