Ways to Serve the Community during the COVID-19 Crisis

Glen Mar Church Ways to Serve the Community during the COVID-19 Crisis

Looking for ways to help your community during the COVID-19 crisis? We are conducting the following activities while doing our best to comply with safe practices and social distancing guidelines. Please only participate in these activities if you feel comfortable doing so. If you feel unwell or think you have been exposed to COVID-19, please do not participate. If desired, ministry leads and volunteers may request a copy of our Mission Activity Health Procedures During COVID-19 Crisis by emailing missions@glenmarumc.org.

Help Hurley, VA

This summer marks the first time in 21 years that Glen Mar has not sent a group of missioners to Hurley, VA for a week of relational ministry with construction on the side. Each summer, Glen Mar's team of adults and youth have repaired homes through Hurley Community Development, which has helped residents of Hurley stay warmer, safer, and drier. HCD also helps with food insecurity, feeding hungry neighbors and helping with the issues of poverty that challenge these good folks of rural Appalachia, many of whom have become like family to us. In this time of pandemic, needs are greater and harder to meet, so Glen Mar's support is particularly important. So, whether or not you've been to Hurley, we hope you'll consider helping.

Donation Information
If you would like to contribute to the work of Hurley Community Development, consider sending a donation in the form of a check by mail to:

HURLEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, INC.
P.O. Box 693
Hurley, VA 24620-0693

For more information, visit: https://www.hurleycommunitydevelopment.org/

Mask-Making Efforts for Those in Need

Glen Mar continues to make homemade face masks to help those in need. Kits containing ready-to-sew materials can be provided to those who wish to sew. Help with ironing is needed from those who do not sew. To help out or get more information, please see below or contact mask@glenmarumc.org. Donations of mask-making supplies are needed. Please see below.

NOTE: If you feel unwell or think you have been exposed to COVID-19, please do not handle the mask materials. While we are not delivering a sterile product, we want to do all we can to protect the recipients.

SAFETY NOTICE: Do not leave a young child unattended with a mask.

Collection Information
All masks and materials are transported in sandwich bags. Please separate masks by Adult or Child.

Drop-off and pick-up is available on our coordinator's porch. Hand sanitizer or wipes are provided. Contact mask@glenmarumc.org to get her address.

Mask Making Directions
All masks must have this type of fabric:
  • Use 100% pre-washed woven cotton
  • Use non-shiny ribbon/fabric head ties
Any mask pattern/style/size is welcome, including masks for children. If you like, use the directions below. You will need both the assembly line directions (skip to Step 4) and Hopkins directions. NOTE: Do not use the labels found in the directions. Instead, separate masks by adult or child.
Make Your Own Mask for Personal Use
If you don't have a sewing machine, try one of these easy-to-make options using a T-shirt or cotton fabric you have at home (cotton sheets and pillowcases, bandanas, tea towels, tablecloths or other cotton fabrics work well too). If you are unable to purchase mask-making materials, you may pick up a mask-making kit for a mask for yourself. Please see Collection Information above to make arrangements.

Donate Materials
The following materials are needed. Please see Collection Information above to arrange donation.
  • Thread, any color
  • Sewing Machine Needles
  • Elastic – Up to ½ inch through ¼ inch or narrower
  • 100% cotton fabric
  • Cotton blend fabric
  • Grosgrain ribbon (1/4-, 3/8-, ½-, or 5/8-inch wide)
  • Pipe cleaners or chenille stems
Please direct questions to mask@glenmarumc.org.

Donate Personal Care Kits for My Sister's Place Women's Center

Glen Mar is accepting donations for personal care kits to be provided to My Sister’s Place Women’s Center. My Sister’s Place (day shelter and resource center), located in Baltimore City, serves women and children experiencing homelessness and poverty.

Donation Information
Specific donations for the kits include toiletry items (travel size shampoo/conditioner, body wash and lotion, individual toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, hair comb/brush), feminine hygiene products, and creative care items (adult coloring books/colored pencils, small day planner/notebook, face masks, nail polish). Notes of encouragement can also be written and will be included in each kit.

Donations can be dropped off or arrangements can be made to have donations picked up. Email personalcarepackages@glenmarumc.org for more information and drop-off location.

Additional Opportunities to Serve

Drop off Food to Local Organizations
Food collection on Fridays at Glen Mar has ended, but you can still donate food to local organizations by dropping it off to them directly. Please see our Food Donation Information handout for details.
Drop off Food and Supplies at Day Resource Center at Set Times
Help the most vulnerable in our community by dropping off food and supplies at the Day Resource Center, 10390 Guilford Road, Suite A, Jessup.

Please visit www.daycenter.org for a list of needs and days/times to drop off. NOTE: No clothing donations are being accepted at this time. Please see their home page for COVID-19 updates.

Shop for Meatloaf Ingredients and Milk for Grassroots Meals
Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center's Freetown Road location continues to provide shelter for homeless guests and is serving 3 meals/day to about 50 people.

Glen Mar's Current Contribution: As we have been doing for many years, a small team of Glen Mar members provides meat loaves and milk on the 4th Tuesday of each month.

What you can do: Many of Glen Mar’s team are in the 60+ age category which is considered an “at risk” group. While they want to continue to help, they are limited in their ability to shop. We need volunteers under age 60 to help with this ministry by shopping for supplies prior to the 4th Tuesday of each month.

Who to contact: Linda Hunt at grassroots@glenmarumc.org.

Donate Food, Supplies, and Grocery Gift Cards to HEHHC Families
All of the Help End Homelessness Howard County families would be grateful for donations of food and household supplies. When you live on a low income, you do not have the money to stockpile for emergencies, and that is the situation our families currently are in. If you are interested in donating food, household supplies, or grocery gift cards to these families, one of our volunteers is willing to deliver them to the families we serve. Limited pick-up is available, or you may order online and have the items delivered to our volunteer's house. Please contact hehhc@glenmarumc.org to make arrangements.

 

Make an Online Donation to our Partner Organizations

Contact our Mission Board

Do you have questions, or know of another opportunity? Contact missions@glenmarumc.org.

Youth & Mission Trip participants: Please find our Volunteer Forms here.

Glen Mar Church is still closed to the public. However, Glen Mar ELC has reopened. Online worship will continue on Sundays at 10 AM. Click for more information