Reaching out to others in need is a hallmark of the St. Augustine’s community. Christian outreach is rooted in God’s call to care for strangers, the hungry, homeless and sick, and those who are alone. St. Augustine’s serves others through direct hands-on efforts, financial support, education and advocacy.

Serving Directly and Personally

Family Promise Homeless Project:

Continuing our long history of providing direct assistance to those in need, as well as financial support, in 2009 St. Augustine's Vestry approved our entering into a partnership with up to 13 other north suburban congregations to support homeless families in our area.  The mission of this interfaith hospitality network, Family Promise of Chicago North Shore, is to help homeless and low income families achieve sustainable independence.

Congregations provide meals and overnight accommodations on a rotating basis, one week at a time.  Families spend daytime hours in a central Day Center in Evanston with staffing shared by paid staff and volunteers.  Family members who are in school or employed are able to continue their normal schedules.

St. Augustine's first families came to us in April, 2010.  Since then every few months we have shared meals, entertainment and lodging with between 2 and 4 families at our church and plan to continue this experience four times each year.

All our volunteers have been trained for this project according to diocesan and Family Promise guidelines.  This project is a wonderful opportunity for those who have a couple of hours to offer to those in need.  Please contact augustine@ync.net for further information.

Hunger Ministries, including:

• Second Sunday all-parish food collection supports three local emergency food pantries. 
• North Shore CROP Walk:  In October 2009, St. A's walkers raised $2,468, contributing to the more than $34,000 raised by all the participating walkers to alleviate hunger.
• “Bread Brigade” rescues day-old baked goods 6 days a week, for distribution in local emergency food kitchens and pantries.
• Parish volunteers serve dinner at A Just Harvest Soup Kitchen (formerly Good News Community Kitchen) in Rogers Park.  See below for our yearly donation to this program. 

Sustainability Ministry:

The H.O.P.E. (Helping Our Precious Earth) committee works to educate the parish on environmental issues and coordinates special recycling collections

For Lent 2011, H.O.P.E. encouraged the congregation to consider a family Carbon Fast.  A Carbon Fast calendar is available to parishioners for their use in participating in the Lenten Carbon Fast.

El Hogar de Amor y Esperanza

The Home of Love and Hope in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.  In 2011 we are continuing to support Reina Gamez with a gift of $1,500.

Other Ministries include:

• Cathedral Shelter Christmas baskets
• Cook and serve at A Just Harvest the 4th Monday, monthly.
• Regular clothing drives to benefit Cathedral Shelter and New Life Shelter
• All-Parish Christmas Card benefitting Episcopal Charities and Community Services 
• All-Parish Mission Trip to Grace House in VA. 

Serving Financially - In 2011, we will give $20,050 to serve others in need.

Diocese of Chicago. Being part of the larger community of Episcopalians, we support the national church and our Diocese, its ministries and programs. For 2011, this amount will be $51,100.

Agency Grants. Since 1980 the annual parish budget has provided a sum for making direct grants to agencies. We try to balance local, national and international interests. In 2011, we will make the following gifts:

• Family Promise, Chicago North Shore       $5,000
• A Just Harvest Soup Kitchen                      3,500
• Connections for the Homeless                    2,000
• El Hogar (for Reina Gamez)                       1,500
• Grace House Parish Mission Trip                 1,000
• Canterbury House at Northwestern             1,000
• St. Cyprian's Food Pantry                           1,000
• St. Augustine's Indian Center Pantry           1,000
• American Friends, Diocese of Jerusalem       1,000
• Episcopal Relief & Development                     500
• Native Energy                                              500
• Bishop Anderson House                                 500
• Interfaith Housing Ctr of the No. Suburbs       500
• Josselyn Mental Health Center                       500
• The Night Ministry                                        500
• CROP Walk mailing                                         50 

          TOTAL GRANTS                                      $20,050