Cautiously Optimistic

Matching-Gifts Challenge Benefits WHAM
We have Two Weeks to Double Our Donations!

For the past several weeks, our ministry partner, WHAM (West Houston Assistance Ministries) has operated a daily food drive-thru distribution site. Each day, they have served 175 vehicles and 20-25 homeless individuals who walk up to receive assistance, representing about 800 adults and children.

Due to this pandemic, currently 98 percent of the adults receiving WHAM support are unemployed or furloughed. WHAM is currently helping around 25 families per week with rent and utilities, and additional ones with critical re-employment assistance.

To meet the growing need, WHAM is more than doubling their daily capacity to serve 400 vehicles and 2,000-3,000 people starting next week, while continuing to help those who are struggling to pay their rent and utilities.

Their need for financial support is greater now than ever.

We have an amazing opportunity to help provide immediate help to our community through WHAM. A generous anonymous donor has offered to match financial gifts to WHAM up to $50,000 between now and May 11! So, we need your help.

How can you participate?

1. PRAY. Let’s commit to be in constant prayer for our ministry partners at WHAM.
2. GIVE. We invite you to give financially to WHAM. You can give online HERE or mail a check to WHAM (10501 Meadowglen Lane, Houston 77042.) NOTE: In order for your gift to be “matched” you must include the code word "GRACE" in your check memo or in the comments section of online giving.
3. INVITE. Spread the word. Share this challenge with your friends and family to maximize our impact.

We are thrilled to step into this mission to support WHAM as they increase their own food distribution to meet the growing need in our community.

For more information, please contact Rev. Chris French

We Have Many Opportunities
to Bless Others in Three Tangible Ways:

1. Providing Food
2. Resourcing Health Information
3. Encouraging Spiritual/Emotional Support

Providing Food

West Houston Assistance Ministries - West Houston Resource Center

Grace and Friends of Westchase are strengthening our partnership with WHAM. Here are three ways to partner with them:

1. ONLINE: Donate much needed supplies by making a purchase on WHAM’s Amazon wish list. Items will be directly delivered to WHAM.  If you give online to WHAM, please type Grace Campaign in the comment section of the donation page.
2. IN PERSON: Donations can be dropped off at the food pantry from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday-Friday at 10501 Meadowglen Lane, Houston, TX 77042. For an updated list of needed items, please click HERE.
3. DAILY PRAYER: Check out their Facebook page and then pray specifically.

Grace and Friends of Westchase Food Distribution

Starting this week, we will distribute boxes of food and produce to 100 families a week for six weeks as part of the James Harden/Kroger/Houston Food Bank partnership for Covid-19 response.

On Thursdays and Fridays until June 5, volunteers and staff will help with the operations and distribution of the food which is provided by the Houston Food Bank. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Nancy Bailey.

Resourcing Health Information

Making Masks for WHAM to Distribute

West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM) wants to provide homemade cloth face masks to the hundreds of people who come to its center for food. Can you help? The following links give easy-to-follow instructions for making masks:

• Video Instructions to make masks:  https://youtu.be/9tBg0Os5FWQ
• Info Sheet Instructions to make masks: 
  • Using straps:https://www.deaconess.com/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask/Documents-Mask/Mask-Information
  • Using ties:https://www.deaconess.com/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask/Documents-Mask/How-to-Make-an-Adult-Surgical-Mask-with-Ties-3-26.pdf

• Mail or deliver masks to WHAM, at 10501 Meadowglen Lane, Houston, TX 77042.

Friends of Westchase - MOD Pizza Deliveries to Students

Thanks to generous donations from MOD Pizza on Westheimer, we are delivering pizzas to Revere Middle School students who are logging into their classes and doing great work. Each week teachers from a different department nominate one student per class to receive a pizza that volunteers deliver. If you are interested in making deliveries, please contact Nancy Bailey. We strictly follow all social distancing guidelines.

We would love for you to join us! Friends of Westchase is deepening connections with the community and growing partnerships! If you would like to join us, contact Nancy Bailey and follow Friends of Westchase on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Encouraging Spiritual/Emotional Support

Community Resources

If you need help with supplies, counseling, safety situations or anything else, please reach out to us or to the following resources:

• WHAM for West Houston: (713) 780-2727
• NAM for Northwest Houston: (281) 885-4555
• Mental Health Services: (713) 871-1004 (offered by Hope and Healing Institute)
• Family Violence 24-Hour Hotline: (281) 885-4673
• Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

Fellowship by Phone Opportunity 

Grace invites you to join our “reach out and touch someone” ministry. We want to equip our congregation to reach out to one another and check in to see how others are doing. If you are interested in picking up the phone, opening your phone app, or asking Siri to dial a number to reach out to those who may feel isolated in these times, please sign up HERE.

We Want to Connect With You

Grace staff members and elders and volunteers are trying to call EVERYONE in the congregation to see how families are holding up right now and if there’s anything we can do to help. We’re finding that we don’t have current, updated phone numbers for some of you! Please help us connect with each other! If you have not received a phone call or text by the end of this weekend, please email your cell phone and home phone and address information to Susan Dozier (sdozier@gpch.org).

How can we Pray for and Help You?

Please know that we are praying for you and want to help in any way if we can. Are you able to get out of your home and get groceries/gas/other supplies? Do you have face masks or need any? Can we pray for you in a specific way or add you to our prayer team list? Do you just need to talk out all that you’re feeling at the moment? Reach out to us HERE.

Kids Inspiring Hope -
Join the Kids of Grace as we Reach Out to Vulnerable Adults

Kids and people of all ages are invited to connect with vulnerable adults during this time. 

Your efforts will build bridges of connection to provide hope and comfort. We are asking you to mail handwritten notes or artwork to connect and encourage others.  To join the children of Grace in this initiative, please contact Chris French.

Friends of Westchase - Fundraiser for Laptops and Community Update

Friends of Westchase has donated six laptops to local students to help them with online learning. We hope to raise $2,000 more so we can continue to meet the need.

Tutors Needed to Assist Families with School at Home

Do you have a tutoring or teaching background? Are you looking for a way to use your background during Covid-19? If so, volunteer as a tutor to help families dealing with the stress of school at home. We are compiling a list of people who are interested in teaching any core curriculum subject (i.e. Math, English, Reading, Spelling, History). You can choose the online communication application that you and the recipient family are most comfortable with during your first contact with a parent. To learn more or to serve as a tutor, please contact Margaret Ellis (713-501-5140).

Online Tutoring Service Offered Free of Charge Until End of School Year

Does your child become frustrated with online learning? Do you find yourself saying, “I didn’t sign up for this!” Well, there are Grace members who are willing to help with the new normal of distance learning and a variety of subjects and ages. Call Margaret Ellis (713-501-5140) if you or your children need assistance.