St. Michael’s is holding our 4^th annual diaper drive, centered around Mother’s Day, to benefit River City Food Bank at St. Matthew’s.  Last year’s COVID-19 pandemic meant that we were only able to collect checks from our parishioners rather than actual boxes, but it became our most successful drive, and we were able to donate approximately $10,000 to be used for diapers.  This year River City is willing to accept checks, as well as boxes of diapers in larger sizes (3-5.) As you may know, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase diapers. Any amount of funds or diapers collected will be most appreciated by RCFB, as families who come there are always in need of diapers and very grateful to receive them.

The 2021 St. Michael’s drive Is running until June 6. What has worked for us is asking those in our parish who wish to contribute, to write a check to St. Michael’s adding “Diaper Drive” on the memo line or to bring in boxes of diapers.  We found Amazon (search for bulk diapers) usually has the best prices.  After June 6, our bookkeeper will total the contributions and write one check to River City Food Bank/ Diapers for the amount and deliver any diapers collected. 

If you decide to participate, please send an email to: deaconcindy@stmichaelscarmichael.org to let us know so that we may recognize your participation in our weekly newsletter.

Thank you,

Dancy Dobrenick and The Rev. Cindy Long

The Rev. Cindy Long
Deacon for Pastoral Care and Outreach
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
2140 Mission Ave
Carmichael, CA 95608

Compiled by John McCormack

DISCLAIMER – The following information was compiled from internet sites listed below and my attendance as an Arden Arcade HART volunteer at planning meetings. All of the information herein may not be accurate so please provide feedback and corrections. I am not speaking for any of these programs but only for myself, with an interest in expanding and supporting these programs. Please share with others who may be interested in supporting these vital ministries. 

HART OF FOLSOM – https://hartoffolsom.org/ Overnight shelter from 1/3-3/27/2021  following Covid-19 protocols. Only HART to do overnight shelter during pandemic. Street ministry and some transitional housing. 

CARMICHAEL HART https://carmichaelhart.org/ – Stopped overnight shelter in 2020. Charlotte House (transitional housing) was successful. Carmichael Presbyterian donated an additional house that needs re-modeling. Will used SSHH for case management, with Carmichael navigator. Announced opening of second transitional house for men. Backpack donations for students. Saturday shower program at Carmichael Presbyterian. 

MIDTOWN HART https://www.hartstogether.org/midtown-hart-respite-center  – Begun 2019. Donations of bicycles by two benefactors and bike locks by Sacramento Bike Kitchen <sacbikekitchen.org>. Continued day hosting at Midtown Respite Center – Tuesdays at St. John’s Lutheran, 1701 L Street and Fridays at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 2620 Capital Avenue), with navigator support. 

CITRUS HEIGHTS HART https://citrusheightshart.org/ –  Stopped overnight shelter in 2020. Runs clothing store (“Underground Clothing Collection”) and Student Connection Fair for SJUSD students. New president is Irene Hronicek. 

ELK GROVE HART http://www.elkgrovehart.org/  – Stopped overnight shelter in 2020. Ran WINSIP (Winter Shelter in Place) during pandemic (10/5/2020 – March 2021) with 65 guests served. Navigators do wellness checks. Distributes meals and supplies with Elk Grove Presbyterian assembling meals. Elk Grove United Methodist provides meals on Tues. and Thurs. Received CARES Act funding. Partners with Elk Grove PD for trash pickup program with guests participating receiving $20 retail gift cards. Partners with Elk Grove Food Bank. Provides some supportive housing. 

RANCHO CORDOVA HART https://www.ranchocordovahart.org/ – Stopped overnight shelter in 2020. Will do transitional housing in future. Donates sleeping bags and cots. Transportation during shelter season. Mentor program. Food and clothing vouchers and bus passes provided. 

NORTH SACRAMENTO HART https://www.hartstogether.org/north-sacramento – Incorporated 2019. Runs Parking Lot Shelter (PLS) program, modeled on Oakland and LA, with breakfast and dinner. Provides gas and grocery cards, toiletries, hygiene supplies, undergarments and PPE for students in Robla School District. Also, developing plans for a respite center. Not affiliated with City of Sacramento Parking Lot Shelter. 

SOUTH SACRAMENTO HART https://southsachart.org/  – Incorporated 2019. President – Fatema Martinez who is also a new member of the Sacramento Continuum of Care (CoC) and a board member of Sacramento Self Help Housing . They do street donations and are organizing to do youth work, outreach, fundraising, housing support and community education. Also offering a respite center on Saturday mornings at Florin United Methodist Church. 

ARDEN ARCADE HART https://www.hartstogether.org/arden-arcade – Incorporated 2019. Partnered with Carmichael HART in winter 2019/2020 on rotating winter shelter. Program with 300 + homeless Encina HS students. Works with SSHH and Sacramento County navigators and with street nurses. Coordinates with Mercy Pedalers teams in Arden Arcade. Collects and stores supplies for homeless persons on Monday mornings to be distributed by navigators and Mercy Pedalers. Began providing bagged meals seven days a week  with 7 faith-based organizations, to continue indefinitely. 

FAIR OAKS – ORANGEVALE HART https://www.facebook.com/HART.OVFO/ – Organizing into a 501©3 in Spring 2021. 50 interested volunteers attended first meeting. Shoe, backpack giveaway. 

WEST SACRAMENTO HART – Organizing 2021. 

HART WEBSITE: https://www.hartstogether.org/  (includes monthly HARTs Together Newsletter) 

SACRAMENTO SELF HELP HOUSING – https://www.sacselfhelp.org/ Assists persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless to find and retain stable and affordable housing. Coordinates and consults with all local HART programs. 

MERCY PEDALERS – Founded by Sister Libby Fernandez on her retirement from Loaves and Fishes in 2017, this street ministry offers water, food, coffee, compassion and resource referrals to homeless individuals.  It has now expanded to other parts of the metro area, including Arden Arcade, where Mercy Pedaler volunteers partner with Arden Arcade HART to offer homeless support, including daily meal and water distribution via automobile. 

Please join us as we start the Visioning Process for a Winter Shelter for our unsheltered neighbors living in Arden Arcade. Bring your enthusiasm, ideas and compassion.  This is an open invitation to individuals, clubs, organizations, and faith communities.  Spread the word and invite your friends.

If you would like to be a part of the solution, but can not make this meeting, Please reply and we will keep you in the loop.  If you would like a Arden Arcade HART representative to come speak with you, we would be glad to come.

See you soon,
CeeCee Coleman
President Arden Arcade HART (Homeless Assistance Resource Team)

Arden Arcade HART is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

AA HART Winter Shelter Meeting
Apr 15, 2021 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Click for link to join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 898 0463 9270
Passcode: 181920
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Arden Arcade HART (Homeless Assistance Resource Team)
2300 Edison Avenue, Sacramento CA 95821-1714
ardenarcadehart@gmail.comwww.ardenarcadehart.com