Social Justice & Charity
Many of our ministries have been affected by the COVID-19 quarantine. Below are some of the ways to keep involved with the ministries and organizations supported by our Social Justice Commission.
Dudley Emergency Fund
St. Edward has an emergency assistance fund called the Dudley Fund. It is funded by parishioners and is available for both parishioners and community members that find themselves in financial need. During this pandemic you may find yourself in unprecedented financial need. You are not alone. There is no shame in asking your parish for help, especially when there is an emergency fund created especially for this purpose. If you would like more information about receiving help please call Mia Ah Sani in the parish office at (952) 835-7101.
If you would like to donate to the Dudley Fund, please visit our Donate/Give page for options on how to give your gift. If giving by check make sure to include “Dudley Fund” on the memo line.
Feed My Starving Children
Founded in 1987, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s children who are hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children and FMSC ships those meals to nearly 70 countries around the world. These extra-nutritious meals save children from the brink of starvation, even benefitting St. Edward’s Sister Parish in Nicaragua
Loaves & Fishes
4pm to 7pm, Third Thursday of each month
Have you been looking for a rewarding, local, volunteer opportunity with fellow parishioners? Join our St. Ed’s team to prepare and distribute meals at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, located at 2200 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington. Please contact Therese Cassidy, the parish site coordinator, at 612-875-9602 if you are interested.
Note: Due to COVID-19, service is drive-thru only. All volunteers are required to wear masks at all times and anyone not feeling well or having been exposed needs to stay home.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels is continuing to deliver meals to the homebound during the pandemic. While St. Edward is not coordinating drivers during the pandemic, if you are interested in volunteering as a driver for them, you can contact them directly to sign up via this link: Bloomington Meals on Wheels
Respect Life
Respect Life (Pro-Life) works to promote respect for human life from conception to natural death. Created in the image and likeness of God, every person is unique and special. Each of us has a responsibility to God, to self and to others to nurture, protect and sustain life at all stages. Respect Life sponsors events and collections throughout the year including the Mother’s Day Baby Shower Collection in May, and the Baby Bottle Collection in October.
Pregnancy resources for women or couples facing an unexpected pregnancy:
Sister Community
Since 2002, St. Edward has supported Teresa Toda, a home for girls who have had very difficult life experiences. The primary activity of the ministry is hosting an annual summer camp, or “campamento” in which we do Bible study and reflection, sing, dance, do crafts, tutor in math, explore science, engineering, and health, and build community.
Visit our Sister Community page.
Read the Campamento blog.
Sister Parish
In the midst of the political unrest, economic insecurity and COVID-19, St. Edward has continued to support our sister parish; Our Lady of the Angels in Jinotega Nicaragua. Among other projects, deliveries of Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) MannaPack Rice are helping nourish the poor in that region. Read stories about a few of the recipients of our support:
A Day in the Life of the Espinoza Family
In Nicaragua: Gregorio’s Network
VEAP
St. Edward is continuing to collect non-perishable food for VEAP, as well as toiletries and paper products. There are bins in the chapel vestibule and in the church foyer for you to put your donations in, and volunteers deliver it to VEAP once or twice a week.
If you are interested in volunteering to pick up the donations at church and deliver them to VEAP, please call Mia Ah Sani in the parish office at (952) 835-7101.
VEGGIES 4 VEAP
Each summer our “Giving Garden” grows fresh, healthy food for the hungry! Throughout the spring, summer and early fall, volunteers tend the garden; including planting, weeding and harvesting. The produce we harvest is donated to the VEAP food pantry each week. If you would like to spend some time in the garden, join the Wine & Weeding group starting each spring.