Outreach to Others
Loving and serving others is a central focus at Foothills, and we help people in need in our community and beyond. Our Outreach Endowment Fund empowers us to leverage our member's generosity by financially supporting partner agencies and organizations (see list below). Through hands-on volunteering, material donations, and emergency-relief efforts, we make a positive impact for our neighbors, strengthen our community, and help others world-wide.
Join us in doing good stuff for others!
LifeMoves Dinner Service
On April 23, 2024, a team from Foothills served dinner to some of the 110 residents at LifeMoves Mountain View. We plan to make this a regular thing!
EHP Community Closet
On March 12, 2024, Foothills folks had a great time volunteering at Ecumenical Hunger Program's Community Closet where we sorted, folded, and stored donated clothing. EHP is one of Foothills’ community agency partners. The staff was welcoming, supportive, and appreciated our help. We learned that community members who register with EHP for food and clothing assistance can visit their Community Closet twice a year to select clothes for their families – the selection they offer is amazing.
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We really enjoyed doing this work together - it was easy and rewarding (and reminded us of sorting for Foothills’ Rummage Sales of the past). We hope to plan another volunteer session at EHP’s Community Closet soon – watch for your opportunity to help our neighbors in need.
FEED THE HUNGRY
Help Foothills fight food insecurity in our area. Drop off non-perishable food 24/7 in the box at 461 Orange Avenue, Los Altos, CA, or bring food to Sunday Worship.
All the food we collect is delivered to the Food and Nutrition Center at Community Services Agency.
Preferred Food Donations List
Updated 3/29/24
Special need for bagged rice, bagged dry beans (3 lb or smaller size)
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Baking mixes
Beverages:
- Shelf-stable milk (soy, almond, rice, regular)
- Instant coffee, tea, hot chocolate – reg. size
- Individual-size juice boxes
- Individual-size shelf-stable milk for the unhoused
Condiments, sauces, & spices - regular size
Crackers, cookies & snacks - regular size
Flour of all kinds (regular size)
Lunch-size snacks, chips, cookies, granola bars
Nuts, trail mix
Oils for cooking
Soup: non-condensed with pop-top
Sugar - small size
Special items:
- olives, honey, gravy, maple syrup, agave
- Hispanic, Asian and Indian specialty items
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Note: CSA asks that we not donate any canned items not listed above because cans are difficult for them to manage.
Our Outreach Partners
Annually, our Outreach Committee designates local community-service agencies and non-profits whose work Foothills underwrites.
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Click on an organization name to learn how they make a positive difference.
Doing more good stuff for others, locally & globally!
Funds to UNICEF
During Advent, Christians around the world focus on Jesus’ birth many years ago in Bethlehem, a city in Palestine. In December 2023, the news from Palestine is grim: the Palestinian Ministry of Health estimates that over 3,400 children have been killed. UNICEF’s Executive Director says, “Children in both Israel and the State of Palestine are experiencing terrible trauma—the consequences of which could last a lifetime.”
UNICEF has delivered hygiene kits, bottled water and medical supplies to thousands of people and continues to position emergency supplies for delivery despite the serious risks to their personnel. They have created safe zones in Israel and Palestine to alleviate children’s anxieties and provide respite from the conflict to the greatest extent possible. To support this effort, Foothills’ Outreach committee has sent $1000 to UNICEF.
Fall Drive for EHP
In October 2023, in response to a request from Ecumenical Hunger Program in East Palo Alto, we collected several carloads of warm bedding, and a few microwave ovens to help their clients be more comfortable with the arrival of cooler weather.
Half Moon Bay Farmworker Community Aid
In February 2023, we donated $1,000 to ALAS (Ayudando Latinos A Soñar) a Latino-centered organization in Half Moon Bay. ALAS is using the funds to help the families of the farmworkers affected by the January 24 mass shooting. Members of our congregation collected gift cards, food, water, and emergency supplies and donated them to the Farmworker Caravan drive.
Türkiye and Syria Earthquake Relief
The February 6, 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria killed 40,000 people, left tens of thousands injured, and displaced at least one million people. World Central Kitchen (WCK) set up a Relief Kitchen supporting 70 shelters for families evacuated from across the region and have served more than one million meals.
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Foothills donated $1000 from our emergency relief funds to WCK, supplemented by gifts from individual members.
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WCK - a Foothills Outreach Partner - is also providing one million meals per day in Ukraine.
LifeMoves Backpack Drive
In 2022 Foothills participated in LifeMoves Mountain View’s back-to-school backpack drive, assembling 20 backpacks and helping to set up children and youth for success in the new school year. Foothills is proud of our long affiliation with LifeMoves and the innovative facility they have recently constructed in Mountain View. This facility provides approximately 125 people with stable housing, including units designed especially for families.
Foothills joins Relay For Life each year to raise funds for the American Cancer Society (ACS) to support the fight against cancer. We make luminaria – simple white paper bags, decorated and dedicated in memory of someone who has had cancer. In 2023, Foothills Congregational Church raised $6400 for the ACS.
