There are many opportunities to serve in the local area through Incarnations partnerships. Some options are ongoing throughout the year, while others are seasonal. We invite you to share your passions and gifts in service to the local community.
Ralph Reeder Food Shelf Serve
residents in the Mounds View School District by volunteering to sort
food and stock shelves at the New Brighton facility. Operation
Christmas Joy collects and distributes toys and food in December.
A Ton of Love: A Summer Food Drive Food shelves
often receive less food during the summer, but have more people using
their service because children are no longer in school where they are
fed breakfast and lunch. Families in need are left trying to figure out
how they're going to supply their children with 10 more meals a week
than they would during the school year. Incarnation's goal is to raise a
ton of food for the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf during the month of July.
Each Sunday will highlight a specific focus of needed items to donate,
but you may bring any type of donation at any time. Click here to see Sunday focus items.
Most Needed Items Canned
Fruit (fruit cocktail, peaches, pears, oranges) Canned vegetables Canned
meats Hamburger Helper Tuna Helper White rice Spaghetti
sauce Chili Stew Crackers Peanut butter Jelly Juice Facial
tissue Toilet paper Laundry detergent Cleaning supplies Shampoo
and conditioner During the 2010 March Food Share Month drive, Incarnation
gave 1,611 pounds of food and $2,700 to Ralph Reeder. Thank
you for your faithful giving! Families Moving Forward Families Moving Forward, Incarnations newest mission partnership, is a faith based organization of volunteers in the Twin Cities which provides temporary emergency shelter, permanent affordable housing and supportive services to low income families with children. In collaboration with over 40 local congregations and thousands of volunteers, hope is provided to homeless families with children by:
Providing temporary emergency shelter
Supporting our former shelter families with continued advocacy and education
Developing affordable rental housing for families.
For information about volunteer opportunities with FMF, click here.
LifeHaven LifeHaven is a transitional shelter for homeless 16 and 17 year old mothers operated by Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Minnesota. Incarnation partners with LSS in the ministry of LifeHaven through benevolence and by supporting the ministry through volunteering and advocacy. Service opportunities include:
Preparing a Sunday meal for the residents
Providing childcare or transportation for special outings*
Home improvement/maintenance projects
Sharing your hobbies/interests*
Advocating on behalf of homeless youth
*Screening and training is expected for direct interaction with the clients of LifeHaven
If you have questions about LifeHaven, contact Mary Schlichting through the Incarnation Office, 651-484-7213. For more information about the partnership, click here.
Dorothy Day/Loaves & Fishes On the second Saturday of every other month, Incarnation volunteers prepare and serve lunch to the homeless residents at the Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul.
Meals on Wheels Deliver meals to seniors who are living independently. Based out of the Shoreview Community Center and serving the Mounds View area, Incarnation is responsible for one Meals on Wheels route on Fridays at lunch time. This is a fun, low time commitment opportunity to do with a friend, your children, or on your own.
Holy Hammers/Habitat for Humanity Each spring, The Holy Hammers, a group of eager participants who enjoy working with their hands, recruit additional workers to build homes for Habitat for Humanity. A variety of skills are needed but no prior experience is necessary. The only qualification is a desire to help families achieve the dream of home ownership.
Global Health Ministries You can support the mission of this Lutheran medical organization in many ways including packing and providing quality control for shipping containers, rolling bandages, assembling midwife kits, and preparing medical kits for caregivers treating those living with HIV/AIDS.
Lyngblomsten Lyngblomsten is a visionary senior care facility located near the fairgrounds in St. Paul. Help escort senior residents to Sunday worship and back to their rooms and visit with them. This is a great way to serve with a group , with kids, or on your own.
CROP Walk Held each fall, the CROP Walk raises money and awareness for the fight against hunger locally and worldwide. Typically, the North Suburban Crop Walk is held on an October Sunday afternoon in the Circle Pines area.
Hands and Hearts This group meets monthly to serve at a variety locations in the area, such as Sharing and Caring Hands, Ralph Reeder Food Shelve and Operation Joy, Ronald McDonald House, etc. Open to anyone interested.
Hunger Action Group Interested in learning about and acting in the fight against world hunger? This group combines ongoing study with local projects and orchestrates events that draw the community of Incarnation into this important work.
For more information about these service opportunities or to become involved, contact the Incarnation Office at 651-484-7213.
Additional Opportunities
There are many other opportunities to serve in the Greater Metro area. Here are some other organizations that have welcomed volunteers from Incarnation in the past. You may contact these organizations directly.
Feed My Starving Children Package nutrition meals to feed hungry children around the world. Several metro locations. 763-504-2919 Second Harvest Heartland Sort and repackage food for low income seniors and mothers. 651-209-7039
Books for Africa Sort, catalog, and pack books that are age and subject appropriate to ship. 612-602-9844
East Metro Women's Council Provides housing and support services for low income and homeless families in Ramsey and Washinton counties. Volunteers are needed to serve as drivers, tutors, mentors to families and can also help out with administrative duties and special projects. Contact he Volunteer Program Manager: 651-773-8401 or www.emwc.org.
People Serving People PSP is on of the largest providers of emergency housing to homeless in Minnesota. Their biggest need is help with the childrens program. 612-277-0256
Scandia Shores Senior apartments for independent living located in Shoreview. Drive van to transport residents to appointments, serve as a visitor/special friend, assist during special events, help with landscape care and share musical talents with residents. Contact the Housing Administrator at 651-415-9793
HealthEast Hospice Volunteer to work in a hospice facility, extended care, or home hospice setting. Training required and provided at St. Johns Hospital in Maplewood. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 651-232-3412
Sharing and Caring Hands Prepare and serve meals and provide childcare to homeless residents and those in need in Minneapolis area. 612-338-4640
Clare Bridge of North Oaks Memory Care facility in North Oaks, MN. Serve as visitor/special friend for residents. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 651-482-8111
Midway Training Services A day treatment program serving adults with developmental disabilities located in Vadnais Heights. Assist clients with craft/work skill projects or share musical and creative talents. Contact the Program Director at 651-288-8932.
Hope Lodge A residence for guest and caregivers of cancer patients. It is an American Cancer Society facility and there is one located in Minneapolis. Opportunities for groups include: preparing/serving dinner, set up dessert bar, conduct a game night, conduct an arts/craft class, cleaning projects for the Lodge, fundraising projects to offset expenses, contact businesses for donations. For more information, call 612-379-6352 or visit www.cancer.org.
Bridging in Roseville Provides furnitiure and household items for those in need, bridging the gap between the 'haves' and 'have nots'. Volunteers sort and work in the Roseville warehouse. For more information call 651-631-3255 or visit www.bridging.org.
East Metro Women's Council Provides housing and support services for low income and homeless families in Ramsey and Washington counties. Volunteers are needed to serve as drivers, tutors, mentors to families and can also help out with administrative duties and special projects. To contact the Volunteer Program manager, call 651-773-8401 or visit www.emwc.org.
For more information about these agencies, or if you are interested in a service opportunity you do not see listed, contact the Incarnation Office at 651-484-7213.