Since its inception in 2014, the Faith and Education Winter Donations (FEWD) giveaway sponsored by Project Fresh Start has provided over 2500 winter coats, hats, gloves, and mittens to students and families in Ankeny. This partnership between area churches and schools continues to meet important needs as cold weather quickly approaches–and we are counting on your support to help us to continue with Project Fresh Start’s mission of providing a warm coat, hat, and gloves to every person in need in Ankeny.

To ensure success, we ask that donations are of new or clean, gently used winter coats, hats, gloves and/or mittens in all sizes throughout October and early November. Bring to Uptown by November 9. 

Accepting These NEW and CLEAN, GENTLY USED Items

November will focus on giving those in need warm coats and winter gear to have as winter settles in. Please provide only new or clean and gently used coats and winter gear (hats, scarves, mittens/gloves, warm socks, etc.). All sizes are welcome. We will be giving them to local area agencies. Place donations in the gray Mission of the Month bins at Uptown or at the CLC. ​

Please give monetarily this month by writing “November Mission of the Month” in your check memo, or give online (www.ankenyfirst.org/give.htm).

We invite you to give a child in need a special Christmas this year! Our Family Christmas Project is our annual sponsorship opportunity to assist children in need in the Ankeny and Des Moines area each Christmas season. We suggest a $50 minimum spent on each child. You will receive your detailed sponsorship information via email by November 18.

REGISTER HERE!

What a great way to respond to God’s love in our community! Every pint saves or sustains another life! Our next blood drive will be on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at our Uptown location, 1:00-6:00pm. Register at www.lifeservebloodcenter.org. Questions? Contact Judy Ruble, 515.729.9482.

Do you have a passion for leading others in worship? We value our worship team volunteers and would love for you to join us. Whether you have a musical talent or want to serve behind the scenes - we have a place for you! Click here to get involved. Click here to get involved.

• Help Bidwell with urgent needs! They immediately need used plastic grocery bags (or any kind of grocery bags) for the food pantry AND laundry detergent pods.
• Most needed donations for YMCA Supportive Housing right now! Toilet paper, plastic trash bags (13 gallon), and gently used silverware (especially forks).

Bring all items to the Uptown site and place them in the marked bins in the "old" library.

Find instructions HERE!

Thank you, to all who have donated, served, or delivered for our Monday Night Community Meal over the past months. None of this would happen without all those who have taken the time to help! There are approximately 150 meals being served each Monday to those in our community who may not otherwise have a hot, home-cooked meal that night. Deliveries are being made to a number of apartment complexes primarily serving our older generations for a total of 100 meals. Interested in helping? Sign up here.

Volunteers Needed for Meals We Serve to Des Moines Agencies

YMCA Supportive Housing Meal Eight volunteers are needed each 3rd Tuesday of the month to manage a meal for the residents of the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus in Des Moines. The eight volunteers share the duties of meal prep, serving and clean-up. You are needed by 5:45pm and you will be finished up by 7:45pm. If you are brand new to this mission opportunity, there will be people there to assist you and get you going with needed tasks. Sign up here.

Trinity Supper Club Meals: First Wednesdays AND Fourth Tuesdays
A team of volunteers meets at the Christian Life Center to prepare meals and deliver them to Trinity Las Americas in downtown Des Moines, which goes to the community and after-school children. To make that happen, we need you! There are opportunities to bake cookies, prep meals, or deliver meals.

• First Wednesdays: Please sign up HERE.
• Fourth Tuesdays: Please sign up HERE.

Central Iowa Shelter & Services Meal Join us as we serve a meal for our neighbors at Central Iowa Homeless Shelter in Des Moines on the 21st of each month. This is a wonderful way to respond to God's love and command to love our neighbors. There are opportunities to help with serving the meal, and driving the food and helpers down to the shelter. Find more information and register here.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.