Attleboro Area Council of Churches

Attleboro Rotary helps fund latest Family Cafe

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:29:46 +0000

The latest Food n’ Friends Family Cafe launched on January 11, 2012 at Second Congregational Church, Attleboro, with a generous donation of $3,000 from the Attleboro Rotary Club. With the expectation of serving over 70 low-income, food-insecure children and families on the second Wednesdays of each month in downtown Attleboro, the funding from Attleboro Rotary has come at a crucial time. The Family Cafes are unique in design by focusing on child-specific needs surrounding emergency food, with a secure, confidential, child-friendly atmosphere, foods and activities children like; with resources and services for parents or caregivers present to help stop the downward spiral into homelessness. The funds granted from Attleboro Rotary will support this Family Cafe for six months. Matching funds are being sought.

Attleboro Cultural Council Grant Received!

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:39:05 +0000

The Attleboro Area Council of Churches has received a grant of $1,000 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. This grant was awarded through the MCC’s Local Cultural Council Program and it will support our Food n’ Friends Soup Kitchens, Family Cafés and Summer Kids Cafés by funding a troup of actors from Brickroad Productions to perform Gansters in Love for our fundraising event; “Culture for a Cause – Mystery Dinnner Theater”. We wish to thank the Attleboro Cultural Council, our local branch of the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their generosity and support.

State grants are awarded through a competitive process. This grant signifies that the Attleboro Area Council of Churches provides a high level of public value through its programs and community service.

MCC has a budget of $10 million, including an appropriation of $8.4 million from the state of Massachusetts and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and other sources. Its funds reach every community in Massachusetts. The mission of the MCC is to promote excellence, education, access and diversity in the arts, humanities and sciences in order to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and to contribute to the economic vitality of our communities. The not-for-profit cultural industry has a $4.2 billion economic impact in the state.

Calling Youths to help fight Hunger! SOUPER BOWL of CARING needs YOU!

admin — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:37:57 +0000

Food n’ Friends would like you to join our team in fighting hunger. After the holidays, the generous donations of the season have been used for those who needed help during that time. The post holiday season is a critical time for replenishing needed supplies. The Souper Bowl of Caring can make a big difference for charities such as ours who serve the community’s most vulnerable.
During the week before the Super Bowl football game, dollars and breakfast foods are collected though Souper Bowl of Caring events, and participation is EASY! Using the energy around our nation’s biggest sporting event to mobilize and inspire youth to fight hunger and poverty is a wonderful way for Youth Groups, Service Groups and Students to learn the power of working together to make a difference in the lives of others.

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATER

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:44:57 +0000

SOLD OUT!! YAY! CROOKS & COMEDY FOR A CAUSE!

Enjoy a night filled with fine food and hilarious interactive entertainment with all proceeds to support those experiencing hunger in the Greater Attleboro Area through the Council’s work and many food programs. We are thrilled to bring Brickroad Productions : a professional traveling theater group who will perform “Gangsters in Love” to help raise funds and awareness of hunger and bring a terrific, unique night of fun to our area! The evening will include a delicious gourmet pasta buffet, great silent auction items, and some very special live auction items to make for a lively night. We want to see all your shining faces there, so please get your tickets soon for the early reservation pricing, and look forward to our best event ever!

Murder Mystery Dinner Theater ”Gangsters in Love”

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 5:00 pm

Corinne’s Banquets, 1593 Newport Ave., Pawtucket, RI

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

admin — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:18:21 +0000

On Sunday, November 20th, at 7:00 pm

The Attleboro Area Council of Churches will holding their annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.

This year the service will be held at St. Mary’s Church located at 1 Power Street in Norton.

Members from different faith communities are invited to come together in worship and join in celebration and thanksgiving. There will be a small hospitality reception after the service.

Worshipers are asked to bring a non-perishable breakfast food item to be donated to the Food ‘n Friends’ Breakfast Program. The Breakfast Program provides weekly breakfast bags to the elderly and those most in need.

This interfaith Thanksgiving service is sure to be very special and we would encourage all to attend as

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

To Begin with Worship and an Insight in to Homelessness

admin — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:11:09 +0000

About 100 people joined the teens in worship at the Evangelical Covenant Church. Sue Smith, who run the “Homes with Heart” program from the Attleboro Area Council of Churches, spoke to the teens and thanked them for their willingness to walk in the shoes of a homeless person. Smith went to the source and asked some of her clients who have been placed in apartments, what is the worst than being homeless. Their answer might surprise you “Worst then being homeless is being invisible”. People choose not to see them standing on the street in the bus and train stations, the government chooses not to see them in providing assistence.

Rev Jay Fast and Rev Doug Bixby opened the service with a prayer that asked for “God to open our eyes to see where He wants us to serve”

The teens shared facts about the facts of who is homeless. Of the homeless people in the US over 200,000 are veterans, 50% of the homeless population are children, and there are over 100 people living on the streets in the Greater Attleboro Area. Some students shared stories of homeless people including a story of a runaway who turned to protitution to stay alive on the streets.

Loretta Johnson from the RI Coalition for the Homeless shared with the teens that one of the biggest problems in RI is shelter space as well as affordable housing.

The teens had an opportunity to hear from two women who have been homeless and are now in secure living situations. Both Pamela Therein and Wilma Smith are part of speaker group called the Voices of Homelessness. According to their web site their Mission is “We will change the beliefs about homelessness. We will break stereotypes and misconceptions. We will educate the general public to gain support. We will put a face to the individuals suffering, and we will speak the TRUTH to END HOMELESSNESS in Rhode Island!.”

Therein was not only homeless but a Veteran as well. As a veteran she did not know she was able to receive benifits until she developed medical issues from having to live on the streets, that could have been avoided if she had received medical care earlier. She speaks out to try to change people thoughts on who are the homeless, Therein said that “all homeless people are not drug addicts, alcoholics, mentally ill or irresponsible. I think, rather I believe, that homelessness is a product of society. That it is like pain, it’s an indication that something is dramatically wrong with society.” Both women found themselves in shelters where they could spend the night but both experienced being turned out in the cold during the day. Therein had a college degree before she was homeless and is now working on her Masters in Social Work.

Smith was only 13 yrs old when she ran away from home and ended up in foster care and had a child at 15 yrs old, she always believed that she would have power in education and worked hard enough to get a full scholarship to Duke University. Unfortunately the opportunity was lost when she had to choose between school and her daughter. She was lucky to get housing in Boston and continues to work on getting her degree to enable her to create better opportunities for her family.

Rev Sarah Weaver from the Rehoboth Congregational Church, who’s church began this event 5 years ago, lead the congregation in a Litany for Awareness. “Those who are homeless can be seen in the doorways, in bus stations, in parks, and on the roadside….In the hustle and bustle of our lives we walk by them for they are invisible to us” the people prayed for “God ,to help us slow down our fast-paced lives and give us the strength to open our eyes to those who are homeless”

Rev Kenneth Landin of the Orginal Congregational Church in Wrentham dismissed the teens as they left the warmth of the churches interior and headed out into the dark with their way lite only by candlelight and they made the long walk to Mason Field where they are already created their box city.

The only warmth for the night comes from the fires that will be manned all night by some of the chaperone’s. Tomorrow they will leave their beds and depend on the kindness of their churches for their food as they spend the day panhandling in the area, serve at area soup kitchens, and making box lunches to hand out to those in need.

So please stop and empty out your pockets to help provide food and shelter to those in our area. All the money raised it at the discretion of the youth leaders as to where they spend it. Last year all of the money raised was donated to the local food banks and to the Attleboro Area Council of Churches for use in supporting the food programs and Homes with Heart.

You can find the teens tomorrow at Mason Field, Wrentham Common, Seekonk Memorial Baptist Church, Centenary Methodist Church, Serving in Providence and in Taunton and in front of the Covenant Church at Rt 152 and Toner Blvd.

Please check back for more stories from the teens tomorrow.

The Martial Arts Center joins with the AACC in working together to feed those in need

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:06:25 +0000

It’s a personal committment of local martial arts school who will again join together to feed hundreds of families and having some fun in the process!

The Martial Arts Connection, TMAC, has formed a wonderful relationship with the Attleboro Area Council of Churches and Food n’ Friends to feed local families in need just in time for the Holiday Season. In 2009 we were able to assist in the feeding of 42 families and in 2010 we fed 289 families! This year their goal is to support the AACC’s need in feeding families in need in the following communities: Attleboro, North Attleboro, South Attleboro, Foxboro, Mansfield, Norton, Plainville, Taunton, and Wrentham.

Beth Rossi from the AACC said “Last years charity event was a blast where everyone had such a good time. It was nice to see so many different people come together to help those in need. Children tend to be the focus during Christmas season, but TMAC’s initiative to feed families spreads holiday cheer to families as a whole. The food baskets provided by The Martial Arts Connection are so abundant that food insecure families and individuals will not only have a sumptuous holiday meal but they will also have ample food to bring them into the new year.”

According to owner Mark Murphy, working with the AACC fits well with their philosophy to “Stay true, to what you set out to do!” and they have set out to make a difference in the community in more ways than one.

You can help them in raising the funds to feed these families by simply donating an item, gift card, or service for us to raffle/auction at our event, or joining the fun at

“TMAC GIVES BACK’ Charity Benefit

Holiday Inn in Taunton

Sunday, November 5th at 7pm.

There will be food, a live band, dancing, a comedian, raffles, and silent auction.

You can Call: 508-222-0014 to reserve your tickets or stop in TMAC — 41 Pleasant Street (#4), Norton, MA (on the Attleboro/Norton Line). Tickets: $40 individual — $65 Couple or $300 for a table of 10

Our Faith Community in Action

admin — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 13:18:58 +0000

Board Member Ann McEvoy has begun a Blog on the Attleboro Patch, a local on-line newspaper. You can follow her blog from the Attleboro Patches Local Voices Section

What is on your plate? Do you have to worry where your next meal is coming from? For many in Attleboro that food comes from the hands at the Attleboro Area Council of Churches.

It’s supper time and many of us sat down to food on our plates, that was either cooked for us or by ourselves. We chose what we want and how much we eat. Unfortunately, not all residents of Attleboro have that pleasure. The Attleboro Area Council of Churches at a recent board of directors meeting realized that almost 80 percent of our time and efforts are put in to managing the needs of less-fortunate members of our community. Last year, the council through it’s Food ‘n Friends program served 38,500 meals, handed out more than 3,600 breakfast bags and served 825 bagged lunches at the Summer Kids Cafe at the Briggs playground.

This past weekend approximately 500 men women children and dogs pounded the pavement at the Attleboro Area Crop Walk to raise funds to support the hunger programs in this area and around the world. It was inspiring to see High School Students, toddlers, people in wheelchairs and even a blind man being guided by a friend navigate the three-mile loop that began and ended at Capron Park. The money that was turned in on Sunday reached more than $25,00 and with money still being collected on-line it is possible that we will reach the goal of $30,000.

Maybe you would like to help to make a difference by giving of your time and/or your resources, there are ways that anyone can help from office work, to cooking and even stocking shelves and sorting clothes. We can find a way for you to make a difference, with many hand we can make a difference

Need Help:

We are taking requests for Thanksgiving baskets please call the office for more information at 508-222-2933.

If you are looking for a meal to help stretch your budget or are just tired of eating alone the stop by one of the kitchens listed below. Maybe you are looking for a different kind of experience then check out our Family Cafe’s. Families of all shapes and sizes who need help stretching their monthly food budget are invited to enjoy a FREE Dinner served restaurant-style with crafts and other activities available for the kids. This is a time for relaxation and a delicious and nutritious meal your whole family will like. Friendly volunteers do all the work. Must be accompanied by a child 18 yrs. or younger.

Come and Join us for the Family Cafe dinners on Wedesday, Oct. 26 5:30-6:30 p.m at the Evangelical Covenant Church 841 North Main St., Attleboro and at the Waters Church, 15 John Dietsch Blvd., North Attleboro 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28.

Monday Night Soup Kitchen: Brother Roger Moreau serves dinner at 4:30 p.m. at the LaSalette Shrine 947 Park St., Attleboro, MA 02703

Tuesday Night Soup Kitchen: Mrs. Dottie Fowler serves dinner at 4:30 at the First Baptist Church of Mansfield, 52 North Main St., Mansfield, MA 02048

Wednesday Night Soup Kitchen:Ms. Irene Daniels serves dinner at 4:30 at the First Baptist Church of North Attleboro, 75 Park St., North Attleboro, MA

Thursday Night Soup Kitchen: Ms. Sue Smith serves dinner at 4:30 at the
First Baptist Church of Attleboro, 118 South Main St., Attleboro, MA 02703

Friday Night Soup Kitchen: Ms. Sue Smith serves dinner at 4:00 at the Memorial Baptist Church of Seekonk, 340 Central Ave., Seekonk, MA 02771

Saturday Afternoon Soup Kitchen: Ms. Marguerite Burt serves lunch at 11:00AM at the Centenary United Methodist Church of Attleboro, 15 Sanford St.
Attleboro, MA 02703

Teens Go Homeless to Show Passion for a Growing Problem

admin — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 19:28:33 +0000

In its fifth year, more than 150 high school students will spend a weekend without a roof over their heads, without mom’s homecooking, without electronics including phones. Instead, they will begin in worship on Friday night and end in their own church on Sunday morning.

Attleboro Area Youth Homelessness Awareness Weekend will take place at Mason Field in North Attleboro and will host youth and their leaders from Norton, Mansfield, North Attleboro, Attleboro, Wrentham, Foxboro, Seekonk and Rehoboth. It all began five years ago when the Rehoboth Congregational Youth Group went on a mission to Washington D.C. and saw so many homeless people there. Don McClain, the coordinator and a Rehoboth Congregational Youth Group Advisor, credits them for making this event happen.

The event will happen over the Veteran’s Day Holiday weekend and is also designated at Homelessness Awareness weekend across the country. According to the National Homeless Organization in 2010 “1.59 million people spent at least one night in emergency shelter or transitional housing and the is up 2.2 percent increase since 2009.” In Massachusetts, according to the United Way of Greater Attleboro/Tauton, nearly 3,000 families are homeless, and 1,000 families are living in motels across the state. Right here in the South Coast of the state, there are about 110 homeless families, 806 homeless individuals. More than 175 of those homeless are chronically homeless individuals.”

The students will build a cardboard city on Mason Field and will sleep there for two nights rain or shine. The temperatures could drop into the teens, or it could pour with chilly rain. The
students have even experienced high winds and just cool temperatures as last year. They depend on the kindness of others for food for the weekend and they spend the weekend raising money by panhandling and selling coffee that has been donated. They also serve at area soup kitchens and learn some lessons about the misconceptions about homelessness.

You can help by simply remembering to CARE as stated by National Homeless Organization

C – Contribute (food drives, money, etc.,)
A – Advocate
R – Reach Out (volunteering)
E – Educate

For more information please contact Don McClain at nolansflowers@aol.com or 508-695-7083(work) or check out their FB page Attleboro Area Youth Homelessness Awareness Weekend

Walk With Us October 16th to Overcome Hunger

admin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:32:27 +0000

CROP Hunger Walk : The Attleboro CROP Hunger Walk will be held on Sunday, October 16th! Please sign up to walk or sponsor a walker. 25 percent of the proceeds of the Attleboro walk directly benefits our Food n’ Friends Program. In 2010 Food n’ Friends served over 38,500 meals, handed out over 3600 breakfast bags, and served 825 bagged lunches through the Summer Kids Cafe

Children of the World

www.youtube.com

Glimpses of children around the world, with a song by Tim Janis, in support of CROP Hunger Walks. The song is sung by school children in Kenya.

September 16 at 6:18am