The Social Needs Distribution Committee (SNDC) met and made $10,500 in donations to the following charities. Thanks to committee members Sylvia Diss, Pat Levins, Marilu MacCarthy, and Patty McGrath. Thanks to Molly Cameron and Judy Schaeffer in getting all the checks written!
Elders Climate Action $250
Working to change our energy policies and practices. Has monthly newsletters, book clubs, and seminars on environmental, racial and social justice.
Lace on Race Center for Racial Equality $500
Focuses on lessening and mitigating harm endured by Black and brown people, perpetuated by white people and white supremacy. Gives the tools and processes necessary to root out problematic behaviors, assumptions, and beliefs that prevent anti-racism.
New Ways Ministry $500
Provides workshops for Catholic schools and retreats for religious and clergy who are LGBTQ. Has a newsletter.
The Center for Children and Theology– $350
Trains adults to help children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Run by Catherine Maresca who has led paraliturgies for Pax.
Arlington Share $700
Distributes hot meal packages for low-income families in South Arlington. Run by Pastor Harcum of Macedonia Baptist Church.
Manna $100
Montgomery County based food pantry.
Jireh’s Place $500
Local organization recommended by Pastor James Gibson of First Baptist Church of Chesterbrook. Provides mentoring and scholarships for young women.
Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church $750
Arlington church that hosts monthly event for low-income people. They can receive food, a hot meal, health checkup, free clothing, and a Giant gift card.
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy $500
Local congregations, clergy, and individuals working at the state level for justice including racial equity, criminal justice reform, etc. This year’s most visible success was ending the death penalty.
Preschoolers Plus Parents $300
Free weekly classes for low-income foreign-born families where parent and child work together to prepare them for school. Centers are in Culmore, Springfield, Reston, and Herndon.
Legal Aid Justice Center $1,000
Challenges and exposes penalties within our criminal justice system unjust to people of color and low-income. Works on affordable housing, healthcare, and public benefits.
College Bound $600
Helps high school students in the DC area with academic mentoring and college applications.
Women’s Ordination Conference $100
Oldest and largest organization working to ordain women. It promotes activism, dialogue, and prayerful witness to call for women’s full equality in the Church.
Grassroots Coalition for Environmental and Economic Justice $250
Works locally to educate people on issues of environmental and economic justice.
PAX Christi International $2500
Works for peace around the world including with Israelis and Palestinians, helping to open small businesses in Africa to discourage involvement with guerilla military. Influencing the pope to move away from the Just War Theory to a position of nonviolence.
Ignatian Volunteer Corps $500
Provides people with the opportunity to serve the needs of people who are poor, to work for a more just society, and to grow deeper in Christian faith by reflecting and praying in the Ignatian tradition.
Los Olivos CIS $1,000
Formerly called the Salvadoran Enterprises for Women. Works with women-led enterprises, artisan workshops, distributes water filters and other water infrastructure and purification systems, builds homes to replace deplorable living conditions.
Dzidzogbe Koffi Matrevi $100
Local man known to Sylvia Diss, originally from Togo. He is involved in a project to build a school in the village he was from.