PUMC Helps Victims of Human Trafficking

Project: PUMC Help Victims of Human Trafficking

Betty, Marlene, Doreen and Pastor Tom ready the tables

Often projects of any organization begin from the observations, thoughts and prayers of one person. A little over a year ago Betty Lane, a member of Peoples United Methodist Church began a collection of food gift cards, purchased by parishioners, from Hannaford stores. These cards were used to help folks who are victims of human trafficking. Over the period of time that has elapsed from that spark and Betty’s inspiration, sixty seven $5 and $10 gift cards have been collected and distributed through the South Portland Police Department.

During the 2015 Advent season the project was expanded and others in the parish and beyond began collecting money and toiletry items that would be distributed through the Salvation Army and South Portland Police Department.

Arranging the goods

Betty enlisted the support of Pastor Tom Frey, who in turn enlisted other churches in the Casco Bay Cluster. Collecting financial donations and goods was now experienced by the West Scarborough UMC and Thornton Heights UMC as well as Peoples.

Women are ready

At Peoples UMC the Finance Committee, the Tuesday Morning Bible Study and the Prayer Shawl Ministry took the lead in helping Betty’s concerns mature. All of the gathered items were sorted at a meeting on January 7 of the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

Jumping on board to help Betty, Doreen Gay, with money collected, spent a lot of volunteer time going to several stores to gather more items for the toiletry kits. Donations of goods by a local dentist, EconoLodge, Shaws and others allowed for the $400 collected to be stretched to their maximum purchasing power.

The packng begins

Around 5:45 PM on Wednesday, January 13 the leaders of this effort came to Ellis Hall to set up tables and to organize the materials that would, in time, fill over 200 gallon bags with the following: hand soap, skin cream, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, wash cloth, and a comb. At 7:00 PM  twenty two men, women and teens were ready to pack.

Dick packs the bags

Betty leads with a message and prayer

Betty began this part of the project with a message on being “disciples” and what we as Christians are called to do in response to the needs of our less fortunate neighbors. She closed with a prayer for all of us and the victims of Human Trafficking.

Pastor Tom nd DS Jim McPhee

We were blessed to have the New England UMC District Superintendent, Reverend James T. McPhee lending his hand and his heart to work with us.

Swift of hands the 200+ bags were packed in boxes and ready to go to the Salvation Army’s Anti-trafficking ministries within one-half hour.

The crew of 22

A good time and blessings extended to others will be completed when the bags of toiletries are taken to the Salvation Army for distribution.

Thanks go to all the folks that helped raise money and materials as well as those who planned, sorted and packed the goods for distribution. We also not only extend our thanks to the individuals and businesses that made this possible, but we also extend our prayers to those who will be the recipients of the efforts of this project.

The need to ease human suffering continues and as long as we live, we have work to do.

 

Ready for Salvation Army distribution