Throughout each year, Calvary participates in many mission projects that impact people from the local area to the international level, and we welcome your participation on any or all of our missional outreaches. Please check this page for updates on our missions and projects.

Calvary's Missional Partnership's

Capital City Rescue Mission

Calvary has a long standing relationship with the Capital City Rescue mission. Our two ongoing ways of support is through a quarterly "cook and serve" meal program, the other is through our the "rags to riches" collection in our church vestibule.

Cook and Serve Program

Each quarter a group of volunteers cooks a hot meal for the residents at the Rescue Mission. This meal is then brought to the mission and served to their residents by another set of volunteers. Everyone is welcome to volunteer to cook, serve, or to donate needed items as requested. Information about these events are published in our midweek messages, or if you'd like to learn more you can reach out to our church office.

Rags to Riches Program

Calvary collects un-useable tattered, torn, or stained clothing and linens, to donate to the rescue missions rags to riches program. When you come to church, bring your bag or unused, worn out fabrics and place it in our collection box located in the vestibule entrance. Serviceable items are given to clients and third world missions and unserviceable items are bailed and sold to provide funds for Rescue Mission programs. The Rescue Mission gets $.17 a pound for textile materials they bundle up for recycling. This is a great way to be both eco conscious and generous.

ABSOLUTELY NO NON-TEXTILE ITEMS PERMITTED.

St. Ambrose Food Pantry

St. Ambrose Food Pantry provides food to families and individuals in need throughout the Colonie area. You can drop of non-perishable food items anytime in our vestibule collection center shelves or bring them with you to our Sunday morning worship services, and they will be brought forward to altar during the children’s time and taken to the pantry after the service.

Needed Items:

• Instant Potatoes/Rice

• Canned Vegetables/Fruit

• Peanut Butter

• Macaroni & Cheese

• Cereal

• Tuna Fish

• Spam

• Pasta

• Canned Spaghetti Sauce (No Glass Jars)

• Snacks for Children's Lunches

Street Soldiers

Street soldiers is a grass-root community aide organization that helps those experiencing homelessness and those in need with essentials, meals and sandwiches. Calvary collects various needed items throughout the year depending on the weather (hats, gloves, winter coats, boots) and need of the organization (hygiene products, survival gear, clothes, etc.). Donations can be placed in the Street Soldiers collection box in the church entry way or dropped off at the donations intake shed located at the JCC of Schenectady (2565 Balltown Road) 7 days a week. Donations can also transported to the parking lot of the Zion Lutheran Church located at 153 Nott Terrace, Schenectady between 3pm and 4 pm on Sundays. Volunteers are always welcome.

Street Soldiers is in desperate need of the following items. More and more individuals are looking for this organization to supplement their food needs. Over 180 individuals were served last Sunday alone. Thank you.

Through the winter they will be collecting:

• Community Table: new and gently used reusable bags, suitcases with wheels and working zippers, hand carts

• Pet Food: wet and dry cat and dog food

• Drinks: coffee, tea, hot chocolate packets, juice boxes, bottle water, electrolytes

• Food Pantry: self stable foods like pasta, pasta sauce, rice, canned fruits and veggies, canned soup, ramen, cereal, oatmeal, fruit cups, applesauce, canned tuna and chicken, chef Boyardee/easy heat meals, canned chili, snacks, peanut butter and jelly

• Hygiene Items: toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, hotel amenities, feminine hygiene products, bandaids, first aid cream, laundry pods and dryer sheets, lotion, bar soap, hair brushes, combs, hair ties, chapstick, tissues, hand soap, cleaning supplies

• Baby: baby and toddler food, gently used bottles, diapers, baby wipes

• Produce: apples, oranges, clementines, potatoes, onions, cucumbers, grapes, carrots, bananas (a favorite) (please notify Connie of fresh food donations).

• Prepared Foods: volunteers to make prepared meals, sandwiches and baked goods (any kind and any quantities)

• The Closet: (items for those experiencing homelessness) tents, wool blankets, sleeping bags, tarps, bungees, hand warmers, thermal underwear, camping cookware, sleeping mats, flashlights, batteries, rope, emergency radios, adult snow pants, easy prepare foods (crackers, tuna packets, instant soup cups)

• Winter: new and gently used hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, kid’s snow pants, socks

️Street Soldiers has created an Amazon Wishlist of items in sizes and age ranges for those who come. They welcome any donations of new, unwrapped items from baby to adult gifts. Donations can be dropped off Sundays in the parking lot of the Zion Lutheran Church located at 153 Nott Terrace Schenectady between 3:00 and 4:00 pm. Items can also be put in the Street Soldier Box in the church entry way, and they will be delivered. Every item is a great help in making the holidays brighter.

Street Soldiers Schenectady Winter Holiday Wishlist: Check out my list on Amazon

**FRIENDLY REMINDER** Downsizing for winter

Street Soldiers share outside in a parking lot every Sunday, all year. As the days get colder, snowy, slushy, and darker sooner it becomes harder to share and we they have less volunteers to help. They focus on the essentials through winter including food, and hygiene items.

They are not accepting:

• clothing including tops, pants, t-shirts, sweatshirts, dresses until spring.

• housewares like pots and pans, mugs, plates, silverware until spring.

• books until spring.

If you have any questions about this mission or if something is appropriate for donation, please contact Connie Cutler at (518) 424-3264 or email: Constance.Cutler@verizon.net

Thank you for your donations and we welcome your prayers for this organization.

Other Ongoing Missions Collections

Lions Institute – Eye Glasses

Calvary continues to collect prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses that no longer fit your prescription for the Lions Institute. Donation box outside the church office.

Equinox - Cell Phones/Chargers

Victims of domestic Violence throughout Albany County can benefit from used cell phones and chargers to help ensure their safety and ability to communicate. Donation box is outside the church office.

Need Help?

Of you or your family is in need of help, the church has a pastor's discretionary fund to assist people in need. If you need assistance, please contact our church office.