Outreach at St. James

Outreach efforts at St. James are varied according to need or season. Responding to those in need is a core and enduring value that we commit to because of Jesus’ call to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Throughout the year there are a variety of projects and events that provide opportunity to parishioners to reach out to those in need.

 

The following list highlights a sampling of organizations to which St. James has donated on a regular basis. Volunteers give countless hours either to participate in, or to raise money for, these organizations.

Local Berkshire County Organizations

 

  • Construct Inc. is a non-profit organization based in Great Barrington committed to providing housing for those in need. Every year St. James sponsors a team in the Walk to Prevent Homelessness.
  • People’s Pantry (located in Great Barrington), Food Bank of Western Massachusetts both provides food to those who need it. St. James collects food and helps with distributions.
  • Children's Health Program provides comprehensive pediatric care for children-infants through teens-to 15 rural communities in Southern Berkshire County.
  • Railroad Street Youth Project has an active adult board and an even more active Youth Operational Board made up of 12 youth ranging in age from 14 to 20. Their mission is to empower young people by crating youth generated activities that build self-worth, responsibility, and intergenerational communication.
  • Breaking Bread Kitchen provides weekly meals to the community. St. James parishioners sponsor, cook, serve, and clean up at this community meal on a rotating basis with other organizations in Great Barrington.
  • Western Massachusetts Labor Action is a volunteer organization that provides food and clothing, assistance with housing, advocacy for utility and legal issues to the “working poor.” St. James donates to clothing drives and the annual Back-to-School supplies drive.

 

Additionally St. James provides office and meeting space to local groups at subsidized rates. Alcoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Southern Berkshire Counseling Center, and Southern Berkshire Youth Coalition are some of the organizations that benefit from this form of outreach.

Global Organizations

 

  • Episcopal Relief & Development responds to human suffering following disasters worldwide and enables rebuilding after the disaster. Additionally the organization provides farm and business training, health care services, and HIV/AIDS programs.
  • Heifer Project provides people worldwide the means to end hunger by supplying them with animals and the training to produce sustainable income from these animals. Every year during Lent, parishioners fill Heifer Arks, and the proceeds are donated.
  • Five Talents’ mission is to fight poverty, create jobs, and help individuals to build businesses by providing innovative savings and microcredit programs and business training.

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