The Outreach Ministry

Annual Friends Outside Appeal

See what happened when an all-male covenant group went shopping for their sponsored family's gifts during the 2004 campaign.

Every year at Christmas time, church members support Friends Outside, a Santa Clara County organization that provides year round support to families of prisoners. At Christmas, we contribute boxes of food and gifts to specific families. Last year, we shared the joy of Christmas with 35 families who were missing one of their members. Our gifts may not replace an absent parent or sibling, but they do show that we care.

This year we have families with two, three, four, five and six members, and can try to match particular age preferences. We have made a very good start towards our goal of providing personal gifts and groceries to at least 30 families. Members of this parish have been very generous in recent years, and we hope for even wider participation in sharing our blessings with others.

For those who wish to participate, flyers with instructions are available in the narthex, or by contacting the church office.

Friends Outside provides year-round support to families with a member in prison, with specific programs for children below the age of five, and for youth and juvenile justice. To learn more about Friends Outside, visit their website.