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SMOPPS OPPS
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galations 6:2
What is SMOPP'S OPPS and am I pronouncing it correctly? I'm sure you are - but this is the most important part: the meaning.
Saint
Matthew
Outreach
Program
People
OPPortunitieS!
Mission Statement: To make the world a better place!
One of our newest pages, in development, but a program that is well over 2 years old. Our Outreach program was pioneered by one of Saint Matthew's finest: Kandy Pouget. She'll tell me to take this information off the webpage, but she deserves credit for reminding us all what true community is all about! Here is a list of SMOPPS OPPS activity from our 2002 calendar.
Children Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ - Inspired by St. Francis of Asissi's clever wisdom:
"Preach the gospel, and only if you must, you may use words."
This is an ongoing effort that invites the community to bring non-perishable food to mass each Sunday, so the children can place it on the altar for distribution to Someone Cares Soup Kitchen..
John the Baptist - A warm coat exchange. Last January we collected warm coats and blankets from our community and distributed them to the poor of Santa Ana.
Did you know that March is National Peanut Butter month? We have collected and donated hundreds of jars of peanut butter to children who do not have the simple necessity of protein!
Give, and it will be given to you.. for the measure you give will be the measure you receive. Luke 6:38
Where is your underwear? Hey, bet you have a drawer full, right? But Kandy has brought to our attention that this is yet another necessity missing from many underprivileged children. We spent much of the spring bringing our underwear - and children's underwear - to mass each Sunday. Our special collection was distributed to homeless shelters all across Orange County.
Just in Time for School Drive: Right on the heels of our underwear OPP, we collected school supplies for underprivileged children, just in time for school to begin. These supplies were taken to Laura's House of San Clemente, the only refuge for abused woman and families in south Orange County.
It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35
Lenten Bread: Baked bread was collected at our Holy Thursday celebration and taken to Someone Cares Soup Kitchen.
Angel Tree : Each Christmas we place paper Angels on a Christmas tree in our church. These Angels have specific needs of actual families in need of gifts for Christmas. This information includes all family members and ages of children. Community members can take an Angel off the tree and shop for their family, based on the information listed on the Angel. Gifts are distributed to the families anonymously, in time for Christmas Eve, of course!
There is much more in store for 2003. Our SMOPPS OPPS team is already creating a new agenda of outreach for next year. Check back soon for more details!
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources... 2 Corinthians 9:10
DID YOU KNOW? It takes just seconds to feed the hungry?
Campbell's Soup Tackles Hunger
Campbell's Soup is donating a can of soup (up to 5 million) to area food
banks just by clicking on a helmet at their website. It's quick, easy and can be
done once a day.
http://www.chunky.com/click_for_cans.asp
Originally launched in June 1999, The Hunger Site focuses the power of the Internet on a specific humanitarian need - the eradication of world hunger. On average over 220,000 individuals from around the world visit the site each day to click the "give free food" button and help feed the hungry. Founded in June 1999, The Hunger Site was the first online activism site on the Web. To date more that 101 million visitors have given more than 198 million cups of staple food.
Establish this website as your startup page and you will be reminded to 'click and feed' each time you get online. http://www.thehungersite.com
How? Go to your control panel and click on Internet Options. Enter http://www.thehungersite.com in the space you establish your 'home' site. This is the webpage that will come up, each time you 'sign online'. For AOL users, this site will only appear if you access the web through Internet Explorer, after signing online with AOL..