Outreach
For information on any of the Outreach programs, or information on how you can get involved,
please contact the office at [email protected]
please contact the office at [email protected]
Outreach happens when a group of parishioners come together in support of community services around the San Diego area. St. John’s Outreach activities are many and varied and touch the people of the South Bay, the Diocese of San Diego and the world at large. Locally, we work closely with the South Bay Community Services (SBCS). On an ongoing basis, we support their Food Bank, their Domestic Violence Shelter (with blankets and other supplies), and its Preschool (craft supplies). We also support students at the St. John's ECS Head Start preschool, Dreams for Change, and Toys for Tots. St. John’s is a founding member of the Service and Justice Coalition, a Diocesan group of about 30 parishes that meet quarterly to discuss their various outreach programs. Members share ideas and may decide to join forces to work on a project together to increase its effectiveness.
Ongoing Outreach Collections
Outreach Collections
St. John's continues our ongoing collections of:
- Clean, Gently Used Blankets, Towels and Re-usable Drinking Containers
- New Blankets
- EyeGlass Recycling
- Greeting Cards
- Emergency Food Pantry
Clean, Gently Used Blankets, Towels and Re-Usable Drinking Containers
Dreams For Change provides resources for people living in their cars in ‘Safe Parking’ places set aside by the County.
Please bring your clean, gently used blankets, towels, and re-usable drinking containers and they will be delivered to the organization.
New Blanket Ministry
New Start Blankets benefits domestic violence shelters in San Diego. The blankets we collect go to women and children who have escaped domestic violence. Most of the time, women and children arrive at the shelters with only the clothes on their backs. They are each given a new blanket, usually the only new thing they receive, and it is theirs to keep. Blankets are multi purpose, providing comfort, warmth, and security.
You may also donate towards the purchase of new blankets in the box in the narthex.
Eye Glass Recycling
If you buy new glasses, bring your old pair to St. Johns. They will be delivered to LensCrafter, where they will be reground and used for those who can't afford to buy brand new glasses.
Pill Bottle Ministry
The pill bottle ministry has been discontinued.
Greeting Cards
Your greeting cards, stickers and other supplies will be delivered to our ECS Head Start program and to Mi Escuilita, a Head Start run by SBCS.
All cards are accepted: free cards you have received from charitable organizations or greeting cards you were sent (you may cut off the back to remove any personal information). The children use them in art projects and to identify objects and make up stories.
Emergency Food Pantry
The South Bay Community Services "Emergency Food Pantry" needs donations every month. If you would like to donate, please bring your
non-perishable food items to the Parish Office and they will be delivered to SBCS.
These items are always welcome:
- Dry and canned beans, boxed potatoes
- Rice, pasta, Mac & Cheese
- Canned meat or fish and can openers
- Cereals, powdered and canned milk
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Canned fruit and vegetables
- Soup, ramen noodles and crackers
- Canned stews and Spaghetti-o's
If you would like to help even further, here are some ECS (Episcopal Community Services) activities:
Donate Snacks to Uptown Safe Haven- The ECS Uptown Safe Haven clients love snacks and treats as they shelter in place together. You can send treats via Amazon or drop them by the house and leave them on the doorstep.
Address for mailing or dropping off snacks:
Uptown Safe Haven, Attn: Christina Zeman/UTSH Staff
2822 5th Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103.
Volunteer with Head Start Food Distribution Program -
ECS Head Start preschool programs are closed, but we are distributing food to families Tuesday through Friday, 9:15am to 12:30pm, each week and are looking for volunteers to help! This is taking place outside in South Bay, families drive by to get bags of food, and safety precautions are in place. Volunteer roles include helping with set up, break down, directing traffic, and handing bags to families through car windows.
For more info about these ECS activities, please contact Deann Rios at 619-694-9892 or [email protected].
Volunteer applications: https://www.ecscalifornia.org/volunteer
Donate Snacks to Uptown Safe Haven- The ECS Uptown Safe Haven clients love snacks and treats as they shelter in place together. You can send treats via Amazon or drop them by the house and leave them on the doorstep.
Address for mailing or dropping off snacks:
Uptown Safe Haven, Attn: Christina Zeman/UTSH Staff
2822 5th Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103.
Volunteer with Head Start Food Distribution Program -
ECS Head Start preschool programs are closed, but we are distributing food to families Tuesday through Friday, 9:15am to 12:30pm, each week and are looking for volunteers to help! This is taking place outside in South Bay, families drive by to get bags of food, and safety precautions are in place. Volunteer roles include helping with set up, break down, directing traffic, and handing bags to families through car windows.
For more info about these ECS activities, please contact Deann Rios at 619-694-9892 or [email protected].
Volunteer applications: https://www.ecscalifornia.org/volunteer