By The Finance Committee

The Kroger Community Rewards Program is the new name of the former KrogerCares program in which Manakin participates. It is connected to your Kroger Plus Rewards card, which provides gas and grocery discounts.

The simplest way to sign up is to register or reregister your Kroger Plus Card at Kroger.com and search “Kroger Community Rewards” program. This link will give you easy step-by-step instructions. If you still have a difficult time registering, give Ginger Marsh a call.

Once you are enrolled in this new version of the Kroger Community Rewards Program, use your card each time you make a grocery or gas purchase. Kroger will then donate a percentage to Manakin.

We received $4,520.00 in 2014 and $2,215.00 in 2015 to support our operating budget. Many thanks to all who participate in this unique fundraiser. Please signup if you have not done so!

By Paul Davis

On Saturday, January 16, our Manakin community will team up with Stop Hunger Now (www.stophungernow.org) for our sixth meal-packaging event. We will work together for a few fun-filled hours and package more than 30,000 meals to help with international hunger relief. This is a worthwhile and enjoyable project in which people of all ages can participate. Monetary donations are welcome. Please see the collection jar in Denny Hall. If you want to participate, please sign-up online at http://events.stophungernow.org/Manakin2016 or you can contact the Church Office.

By Bryn Davis

The next Feeding Program will be held Saturday, January 23 in Denny Hall at 9:00 a.m. We will be packing 100 lunches and delivering them to three homeless shelters. All ages are welcome to help us.

By Bryn Davis

The next CARITAS will be held Wednesday, January 20, at Epiphany Catholic Church on Smoketree Drive, North Chesterfield, 23236 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.. We will be packing 40 lunches and also serving a hot dinner to 40 homeless guests.

By Birdie Lighthiser

Our next hot lunch service at Greater Mt. Moriah will be on Wednesday, December 30. We will be serving our usual menu. There is a sheet on the bulletin board in Denny Hall where you can sign up to make casseroles and help serve on that day. We feed about 200-250 people, and this ministry is in partnership with Richmond Friends of the Homeless. Please consider helping with this ministry that reaches some of Richmond’s most underserved people.

Richmond Friends of the Homeless has a special request. Ladies, do you have an old purse that you no longer use? Fill it with sanitary and personal hygiene products for a woman, and we will deliver them to the feeding program on December 30. These may be placed in the Richmond Friends of the Homeless collection bin located in the Denny Hall entryway. We are also collecting gently used men’s coats. If you have an extra coat or two that you are not wearing, please place them in the bin in Denny Hall.

Thanks for your continued support.

By Bryn Davis

Our next Third Sunday Collection will be Sunday, December 20. Donations of non-perishables for the Food Pantry and Backpacks for Love, bedding for the Richmond Animal Clinic, and magazines for the Chesterfield County Jail (please remove your address label) are welcome, as well as ties for Hope Aglow Ministry. Thank you so much for your generosity!

By Bryn Davis

Manakin continues to support the Rev. Becki Dean’s ministry, The Gathering, by providing 30 lunches on alternating second Sundays and all fifth Sundays. All are welcome to attend the service, which begins at 2:00 p.m. at the corner of Decatur and Jefferson Davis Highway. The next Gathering date is Sunday, November 8. Please sign-up to help or attend.

By Bryn Davis

Our next Third Sunday Collection will be Sunday, November 15. Donations of nonperishables for the Food Pantry and Backpacks for Love, bedding for the Richmond Animal Clinic, and magazines for the Chesterfield County Jail (please remove all address labels) are welcome, as well as ties for Hope Aglow Ministry. Thank you so much for your generosity.

By Birdie Lighthiser

We will be preparing and serving our guests at Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church again on December 30. We need volunteers to prepare casseroles and volunteers to serve. Lunch is served at 12:00 p.m. Manakin serves a hot meal to 200-250 people every month that has a fifth Wednesday. There are about 4 or 5 feedings per year. Manakin Outreach partners with Richmond Friends of the Homeless in this ministry to the homeless and working poor in the city of Richmond. Please put December 30 on your calendars. This feeding will be during a break from school, so there will be more children for lunch than usual. Watch for a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in Denny Hall. Thank you for your continued generous support.