Hunger Task Force
The Hunger Task Force puts faith into action by feeding those in need in our community. There are volunteer opportunities for all ages, everyone is welcome to participate!
Monthly Meal at Step Up on Second
Each month, on the 4th Saturday from 2-4pm, volunteers prep and serve the afternoon meal at Step Up on Second. Step Up on Second involves individuals with severe and persistent mental illness in developing opportunities to reintegrate into the community. Step Up is dedicated to long-term support of people in recovery and their families, offering quality housing, educational, social and work experiences. Step Up is committed to increasing public understanding and acceptance of mental illness.
We're using VolunteerSpot to organize the volunteer sign-ups for Step Up. Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1. Click this button to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot:
2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot)
3. Sign up! Choose your spots - VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!
Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact hunger@uusm.org and we will sign you up manually.
Lunches for Bunches
Each month, on the 4th Sunday from 12:30-1:30pm, volunteers gather to assemble 80 bagged lunches for the homeless at P.A.T.H. P.A.T.H. is a non-profit community organization that helps homeless people find work, save money, secure housing, and empower their lives. Initially an emergency food and clothing distribution program, P.A.T.H. has since grown into a multi-facility organization that provides a wide range of coordinated services for homeless individuals throughout Southern California. P.A.T.H. serves homeless clients in the following areas:
Emergency, Transitional and Affordable Housing; Outreach and Referrals; Educational and Employment Assistance; Health & Mental Health Services, and Supportive Social Services. To volunteer, contact hunger@uusm.org.
Westside Food Bank
Every Sunday we collect canned and non-perishable packaged food items to go Westside Food Bank. Simply bring your donation to church with you and put it in the bin during the Sunday service. Westside Food Bank is a non-profit agency that serves virtually all Westside nonprofit agencies that have kitchens or food pantry programs. Member agencies come to the food bank warehouse for weekly food allotments or receive food through Extra Helpings Westside, the food bank’s prepared and perishable food rescue program. WSFB distributes close to 4 million pounds of food a year to more than 80,000 local people, half of whom are children.
Backyard Bounty
Each week we collect the surplus from our gardens and deliver it to those who are in need. Simply bring your bagged produce and place it in the Westside Food Bank basket on Sunday morning during the service. Our volunteers will collect the produce and donate it to Turning Point. If you would like to join the Backyard Bounty team we would love to have you! Please contact hunger@uusm.org for details or to sign up.
Backyard Bounty members also attend Food Forward harvesting events. Everyone is welcome to help harvest produce, and it's fun too! You can sign up to collect excess produce from the Santa Monica Farmer's Market on Sunday afternoon, or for one of many other local events during the week. Produce is donated to local food banks. For information visit the Food Forward website or contact hunger@uusm.org.
Turning Point Sunday
Each month, on the first Sunday, we collect frozen casseroles and bags of fresh fruit and deliver them to Turning Point, a project of OPCC. Turning Point Transitional Housing is a 55-bed shelter for homeless men and women that offers housing and supportive services for up to 9 months. The project seeks to break the cycle of homelessness and to integrate homeless individuals back into the community by providing comprehensive, individualized services designed to address their physical and emotional needs. In addition to an individual sleeping area, three meals a day and clothing, Turning Point provides intensive case management, counseling and support groups, specialized programs such as job counseling, money management, health education, computer classes and independent living skills
Your food donation is greatly appreciated. Mark your food item for "Turning Point" and drop it off to the kitchen's freezer. Fruit can be tagged and left on the counter next to the freezer. For more information, contact hunger@uusm.org.