Outreach Task Force

Mission: OTF reaches beyond the FUUSE walls by providing meaningful ways to connect, support, and enrich others through service, spirit, and financial contributions.

The OTF

  • Researches the needs of our community
  • Calls or personally interviews service agencies
  • Invites speakers to discuss their program needs
  • Conducts a survey every three years to determine FUUSE priorities

The third Sunday of each month has been designated as Give-It-Away Sunday when the general offering will be distributed to the groups shown in the schedule to the right.

Goals

Educate the congregation about the Exeter Food Pantry, which provides food for local needy families; the Interfaith Hospitality Network, which provides temporary housing and assistance to homeless families; and Transportation Assistance for Seacoast Citizens, which uses volunteers to provide transportation for those who are disabled and/or elderly.

Facilitate a volunteer connection between these agencies and the FUUSE congretation.

Provide financial assistance to these agencies.

Collection of needed items: children's clothing for WIC, the Santa for Seniors Program with Meals-on-Wheels, food for the Exeter Food Pantry, and CROP Walk for Hunger.

The Exeter Food Pantry

The Exeter Food Pantry, in cooperation with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, distributes free food to those in need. This food is primarily acquired from parishioner donations, contributions from the US Department of Agriculture (usually quite limited), local merchants, and purchases from the New Hampshire Food Bank in Manchester.

The Pantry provides approximately 90,000 lbs of food each year. It also assists in the Exeter holiday food basket program to families in need.

Along with providing emergency food for the needy, the program often supplements existing public and private assistance programs through their own finances. This assistance may include home visitations, life skills assistance, education, transportation, medical assistance, and legal aid.

Money and food donations for the pantry are greatly needed. FUUSE has set up a food donation bin in our hall and lists a monthly donation suggestion. To mention some specifics, items most needed are:

canned meats, pasta sauce, canned vegetables,
cereal, juice, jelly, coffee, sugar, cake mkx & frosting,
shampoo, bath soap, hand soap, paper towels, toothpaste, diapers

In addition, when money contributions are made, the Exeter Food Pantry can shop at the Manchester Food Bank where every $20 purchases approximately $200 worth of tiems.

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Transportation Assistance for Seacoast Citizens (TASC)

TASC helps transportation dependent individuals to meet their basic life needs.

Started in November 2006 by a group of local churches (including FUUSE), it matches volunteer drivers with those in need of rides. People living in the following towns are eligible:

Exeter, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls,
North Hampton, Rye, Stratham, and Seabrook

In less than one year TASC has seen a 400% increase in ridership, going from 43 rides a month to 184 rides. Most riders are seniors who no longer drive and the majority of rides are for medical appointments.

Since its inception, this interfaith effort, funded by 9 partnering churches (including ours,) grants from United Way of the Greater Seacoast and the Greater, Piscataqua Community Foundation, and a donation from The Rotary Club of Hampton, has grown from 6 volunteer drivers and 8 registered passengers to 30 volunteers and 150 registered passengers. These rides are of vital importance to the passengers and any of TASC's volunteer drivers will tell you that they get back as much as they give.

Volunteers are screened for safety and criminal records and have additional insurance coverage under TASC.
Riders must register with TASC to be eligible and give the coordinator a 3-day advance notice of their need.

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Feed My Lambs

Most recently OTF joined the Exeter churches' overall food collection and dispensation group, Feed My Lambs, collecting donations in our vestibule. This task force also provides a meal for 60 homeless people every other month when they gather at Families First in Portsmouth. The SJC, supporting responsible consumption and assistance to less developed nations, has promoted Heifer International, which accepts donations for farm animals, which may be made in lieu of gifts to family, etc.

Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network (SIHN)

This program provides a safe place and services for homeless families. Local faith-based institutions open their facilities to serve meals and provide sleeping arrangements for up to 14 guests at a time. Professional staff operate the Family Resource Center by day where families receive information and services including housing, employment, training, and education. The center also provides a kitchen, children's play area, computers, and telephone. FUUSE volunteers will be able to assist a host church when it is their turn to provide for the families or assist with the Family Resource Center on an ongoing basis.

You can make a difference

Volunteer to: cook or serve a meal, provide evening or overnight staffing, read to children, distribute donations, assist office staff.

Contact Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network, PO Box 233, Stratham, NH 03885, 603-658-8448, www.sihnnh.org.

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Four-Plus Years of Giving

2004 + 2005 + 2006 + 2007 = $20,877
2008 (Jan–April) = $2,261

Priority areas identified by a congregational poll

The working poor — Youth at risk — Seniors

Recipients of our generosity

  • Great Bay Workforce
  • Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network
  • New Outlook Teen Center
  • Rockingham Nutrition Meals-On-Wheels
  • St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
  • Squamscott Community Commons
  • Women, Infants, and Children
  • Family Support Program of Rockingham Community Action
  • Meals-On-Wheels for Seniors
  • Cooperative Middle School Outreach Program
  • The Sad Café
  • Darfur Relief Fund of the UU Service Committee
  • Waslala Water Project
  • Minister's Discretionary Fund
  • CROP Walk
  • Crossroads House
  • A Safe Place
  • NH National Guard Children's Camp
  • RCA Family Literacy Programs
  • NH Community Loan Fund

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12 Elm Street, Exeter, NH 03833 · 603-772-4002 · Office: