Helping Others

St. Andrew's believes strongly that our Christian ministry extends beyond our church walls.  We work hard to serve the members of our larger community in many ways.  Read on for a sample of our Outreach programs, and if you are interested in helping out, contact us!

FOOD PANTRY

Once a week, St. Andrew’s offers bags of nonperishable basic foods such as rice, canned goods, boxed cereals, pasta, and peanut butter to needy individuals and families.  Such assistance has become very important to the working poor of our community. The Pantry serves approximately 450 individuals each month. The Pantry is supported by some parish funds, but is dependent on donations by parishioners, our sister churches, several Scout and Girl Guide troops and the Feeding America program.

FRIDAY LUNCH PROGRAM

Each Friday at 1:00 pm, a free, hot lunch is served in the Parish Hall to any and all who come in.  The lunches are funded with our monthly parish breakfast. Volunteers are always welcome to help serve the lunch.  

EPISCOPAL REFUGEE NETWORK      

We support the Episcopal Refugee Network through parishioner contributions of household goods, clothing, blankets and monetary donations which to help with the many different needs of this group or people trying to establish a new life in our country provide an education fund for the orphan refugees .  The "Friends of the Refugee Network" at St. Andrew's holds a Fall Festival social event each year near Halloween time.

ANGEL TREE

Outreach plays a big part at St. Andrews. We greatly see this during the Advent season. Each year, our Angel Tree is decorated with paper angels and doves bearing specific gifts for those to whom we outreach 
during the holiday season.  In the past gifts have been provided for ECS Headstart, ECS Safe Havens (a residential housing for the homeless and mentally ill), blankets and Christmas dinners for the Refugee 
Network, gifts for children at our sister parish, San Juan Apostal,  and phone cards for Camp Pendleton

SAN JUAN APOSTAL--OUR SISTER CHURCH

Our relationship with our sister parish in Ensenada, B.C., Mexico, began with the visit of a small group of St. Andrew’s parishioners to San Juan Apostól, a mission church of the Mexican Anglican Church, in mid-1999.  Since then, the relationship has flourished with mutual visits throughout the year, including the clergy preaching and celebrating the Eucharist together.  We have been able to help San Juan with their outreach efforts to the poor of Ensenada through the Christmas gift and toy drives. We have also assisted in improvements to the church facilities. 

INTERFAITH SHELTER

St. Andrew's hosts the interfaith shelter for two weeks each year, usually early in the New Year.  The Interfaith shelter provides meals and sleeping accommodations for those in need on a short-term basis.  Opportunities to provide for and share dinners with shelter guests, stay overnight to assist with managing the shelter, and offer assistance for laundry and shopping run exit.  Volunteers are welcome and always appreciated.