Outreach

HUNGER and POVERTY AWARENESS...and ACTIONS

Trinity has a major commitment to addressing hunger and poverty in our neighborhood, community and around the world. Some of our efforts include:

CROP Walk

Trinity participates in the annual Heart of America CROP WALK on the second Sunday of October. One of the programs of Church World Service, 25% of the funds raised remain in Kansas City, and the remainder is used nationally and around the world. Visit the website by clicking on the panel to find out more. If you are interested in walking with Trinity's team, contact Alicia at info@trinitykc.org

Gilmore's Monday Meal

This decades-old ministry began under the leadership of Beverly and Earl Gilmore after their retirement. Volunteers serve lunch every Monday to our friends and neighbors. They begin between 10:30 and 11:00 in the morning and serve a hot meal from noon to 1PM. New volunteers are always welcome; lend a hand whenever you can.

THE LORD'S TABLE

Every Saturday at noon a hot meal is offered to anyone in need. The banner notifies neighbors and homeless and all are welcome at the table. In partnership with Westport Neighborhood Cooperative, Trinity members assist every Saturday and organize the entire meal on the fourth Saturday of each month. This ministry enables all of our members to "put feet to their faith" and build relationships with people who don't necessarily worship with us on Sunday morning.

BACK TO SCHOOL is a great time to get involved. We gather backpacks with items to help beginning students throughout the neighborhood start a school year with all the supplies they need for a successful experience.

Church World Service Kits are donated through the annual Festival of Sharing In-gathering in Sedalia, Missouri the third Saturday in October each year. Different groups gather items for 2-3 different kinds of kits to share statewide. In addition, special collections are made in response to crisis such as Hurricane Katrina and tornadoes, earthquakes and tsunamis wherever they happen.

PARTNERING WITH THE COMMUNITY

SENIOR COMPANIONS

“If someone listens, or stretches out a hand, or whispers a kind word of encouragement, or attempts to understand a lonely person, extraordinary things begin to happen.” —Loretta Girzartis

The Senior Companion program meets at Trinity every second Tuesday from 8:30 am - 2:00 pm. This program trains people of lower income to serve as home care companions to other homebound low-income seniors. It is funded by the federal government and provides a small stipend for those who need more income in their retirement. It's one of those "win-win" situations that come along ever-so-often for the elderly.

Senior Companions' purpose is "helping adults remain independent" by touching the lives of adults who need extra assistance to live independently in their own homes or communities. They serve frail older adults, adults with disabilities, those with terminal illnesses, and offer respite for caregivers. They assist their adult clients in basic but essential ways:

Offering companionship and friendship to isolated and frail adults;
Assisting with simple chores;
Providing transportation; and
Adding richness to their clients' lives.

Who can be a Senior Companion? Senior Companions are individuals age 60 or over who want to help adults with special need remain independent and living in their own home.

Eligibility: To participate in the Senior Companions program, volunteers must be 60 or over and be able to serve between 15 and 40 hours a week.

Benefits: Senior Companions make connections with other adults and know they are making significant contributions to their lives. In addition, they receive the following:

Pre-service and monthly training sessions
Reimbursement for transportation;
Some meals during service;
An annual physical;
Accident and liability insurance while on duty; and
Income-eligible Senior Companions also receive a modest, tax-free stipend to offset the cost of volunteering.

Contact Alicia at info@trinitykc.org or visit their website at http://www.seniorcorps.gov/about/programs/sc.asp OR www.seniorcorps.gov/about/prgrams/fg.asp for more information about either program.

Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty is pleased to announce a partnership with People of Faith Against the Death Penalty. Together we have launched two

petitions, one for Faith Leaders in Missouri, and one for lay people of faith. Please sign in and pass it on to as many people as you can.

For faith leaders: www.morepeal.org

For lay people or faith: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1576/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=11438

Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty can be contacted at madp@madpmo.org. Their website is www.madpmo.org.

There are more than 3,100 people on death row in teh USA. More than 138 former death row inmates have been exonerated after being found innocent of the trime for this they were convicted and sentenced to death. For every 9 executions, one person is exonerated.

Since 2009, two men prosecuted in Missouri by the same prosecutor have been exonerated, a third, within hours of execution had his sentence commuted to life without parole and a fourth is waiting for a re-examination of his case.

In 2011 the Supreme Court of Missouri ordered the release of another man, who at one point was on death row after the court ruled that evidence was withheld by the prosecution that woud have proven the man innocent.