As we enter the season of the greatest gift of all time, we can come together to see flourishing in our communities by extending generosity beyond the walls of Main Street Church. The people of the “24:1” community, a North St. Louis community of 24 municipalities in the Normandy school district, face the highest concentration of poverty in Greater St. Louis. But already, the people of 24:1 have not been forgotten. Beyond Housing, a local community development organization serves the 24:1 community through multi-pronged services. Every year, Beyond Housing’s “Holiday Friends” event brings joy to families in the 24:1. Holiday Friends helps them experience Christmas joys and memories while staying on track financially. This year, a gift shortage for children in the 24:1 caught Kim’s attention, and we wondered if we might have a “loaves and fishes” situation. If we do our small part, how might God multiply our efforts?
How to Get Involved:
You (and your kids!) can participate in one or more of these ways:- Sponsorship style: Sponsor a child for $150, get matched with that child and their wish list, then shop and drop off the gifts at Beyond Housing on December 9th or 10th.
- Main Street shop & drop: Bring unwrapped gifts any Sunday for the next four Sundays and drop them in the big box, now through December 8th. Use this Gift Guide to help!
- Couch & laptop style: Shop Beyond Housing’s Amazon Wish List and send them straight to Beyond Housing HQ.
- Hands & feet style: Volunteer to help Beyond Housing anytime during the week leading up to the event (December 9th-14th)
- Cargo style: Offer your truck or large vehicle to help transport those big box toys to Beyond Housing.
