20 Ways to Help the Mission

So often we are asked, "What can I do to help the Mission?" So we came up with 20 ways that anyone can help the agency:

1) Make a cash donation, either online (click here), by mail (address here), or in person. Contributions are tax deductible, can be made at any point during the year, and are always badly needed. Your donation may, in fact, be matched by your employer or by generous donors who sponsor such gifts throughout the year. Contact the agency (716-285-3403 x.2247 or x.2226) to learn more about these programs or to make your donation.

2) Volunteer your time to work in the Community Soup Kitchen. The program is open for lunch six days a week (not on Sunday), and volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day. Perhaps you are part of a group that would like to cook a meal or donate the food needed to feed the hundreds we serve daily. (29,646 meals were served by the Community Soup Kitchen in 2012!) To volunteer at the Soup Kitchen, contact us at 716-285-3403 x.2250.

3) Come out to one of CMI's annual fundraising events! Each year, the agency hosts a number of events that raise money for its Crisis Services. These include the Sweetheart Dinner (February), a 5k Walk (May), Golf Tournament (June), Canal Fest of the Tonawandas Duck Race (July) and Antiques Auction (November). Each event is unique, is a lot of fun, and most importantly, raises money and awareness for the agency! Contact Andrea Gray, Events & Volunteer Manager, at 716-285-3403 x.2225 for more information.

4) Work with your church, business or civic group to bring a Community Missions speaker to meet with your group. We have several speakers that can come to raise awareness on many different issues affecting the Niagara Community. Contact us at 716-285-3403 x.2247 for more information.

5) Have your group volunteer for a special project like painting a room, a clean-up day, gardening, etc. The agency serves thousands of people each year at its sites across Niagara County, creating a wide range of volunteer opportunities. Contact the agency at 716-285-3403 x.2237 to arrange a volunteer project.

6) Get your business to sponsor a CMI fundraising event. Different sponsorship levels are available for each event, and each event is an opportunity to get your business in front of potential customers, while partnering with one of the community's most respected charitable agencies. For more information, contact Andrea at 716-285-3403 x.2225.

7) Put up a food barrel at your place of work, church, civic group or community event. The agency's Food Pantry provided 24,291 meals to the community last year, and need donations to keep up with the ever-increasing demand.

8) Have your church or faith-based group become a Ministry Partner with the Mission. Work with our minister, Rev. Mark Breese, to strengthen your ministry by connecting it with the call of Christ to serve those in need. Be part of one of the several faith events and projects throughout the year, such as the monthly Sunday Cabaret, Gardens of Compassion, and annual Gospel Fest. Work with us to develop a project or event that meets the needs of those we serve. Contact Pastor Mark at 716-285-3403 x.2259 to learn more about our Ministry & Community Partnerships.

9) Hold a garage sale at your home, and donate the proceeds and/or the items not sold to the Mission. This will help you get rid of things that you no longer need, while helping those that visit the Clothes' Closet and Furniture Giveaway programs get a fresh start.

10) Bring the surplus fruits and vegetables from your garden to the Community Soup Kitchen. While the agency is always thankful for any food donations, securing the fresh, nutritious produce necessary for a well-rounded meal is a difficult, and costly, issue for the Kitchen. Donations are accepted any time at the Mission, though calling ahead to alert us (716-285-3403 x.2221) is always appreciated!

11) Have your church establish an annual special offering to support Community Missions, or include Community Missions in your regular Missions Giving budget. Contact Pastor Mark at 716-285-3403 x.2259 for more information.

12) Volunteer at the agency's fundraising events. Help from volunteers is needed at many of the events held throughout the year, in particular at the Sweetheart Dinner (February), the 5k Walk (April) and the Canal Fest Duck Race (July). Contact Andrea (716-285-3403 x.2225) to volunteer.

13) Share with your friends and family about Community Missions, and the 18 different programs that we operate. They may not know about the work the agency does in the Niagara community, or about how you support us! Need some help? Contact Christian (716-285-3403 x.2247) for information to distribute, including brochures, appeal letters, or fundraising event invitations.

14) Hold a fundraiser at work to benefit CMI. <a href="http://www.communitymissions.org/ministry/olin-corporation-donates-to-community-soup-kitchen/">Read about how Olin Chlor Alkali Products</a>, located just 1/2 mile from the Mission, did just that and raised over $1,500 for the Community Soup Kitchen, and then think of what you'd like to do at your job. We'll probably even put a story about it on the website!

15) Include Community Missions when considering your Estate Planning. Community Missions has helped those in need in the Niagara community for 88 years. Your gift can help ensure those in need locally are never turned away.

16) Take part in the Adopt-A-Family program around the Christmas holidays. Each year, CMI links community members, businesses and churches with local families in need. Sponsors are provided a family and a "wish list," and then purchase gifts for the family. In addition, gift cards are provided to the family to assist with a holiday meal. All gifts are brought to the Mission, where they are distributed to the families, along with a turkey. Contact Andrea (716-285-3403 x.2225) to be a part of this wonderful program.

17) Get your business or civic group to make a yearly contribution to Community Missions. While all donations are welcome, receiving annual gifts helps the agency in its financial planning. For more information, contact Christian (716-285-3403 x.2247).

18) Encourage your church, business or civic group to put an occasional announcement in their bulletin or newsletter about Community Missions. Please contact Christian (716-285-3403 x.2247) for any logos, write-ups, or other information needed for this.

19) Collect the cans and bottles from around your home or business, and donate the deposit money to the Mission. It's good for the environment; it's good for you; and it's good for us!

20) Keep us, and the many people that come to us in need, in your prayers.

Make your donation to the agency by mail, or by visiting us, at:
Community Missions, Inc.
1570 Buffalo Ave.
Niagara Falls, NY 14303