Justice and Peace Ministry at St. Andrew

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RAM House

RAM House is still in operation and serving some of the most vulnerable in the valley. Their shelter is still open for those who are homeless.

For the safety of their guests, the kitchen at RAM is now serving lunches for those in need in to-go packaging. You do not have to be homeless to receive a meal, please go and get a meal if you are in need of a lunch.

With this temporary change, the shelter has needs. We understand this is a difficult time for so many. If you are able, they appreciate any donations, so they can continue to safely serve their guests.

Below is their greatest needs list:

Kitchen Needs:
10 loaves of bread will make 100 sandwiches per day
Cases of chips
8 oz white foam cups with lids
Sliced American cheese
Latex gloves (non-powdered)
Dried raisins
Disposable bowls
Aluminum foil 18 x 750

Operation Needs:
Ibuprofen
Toilet paper
Hand sanitizer, preferably large containers or shelter use

Cleaning Supplies:
Dish soap
Lysol spray
Bleach
Trash bags (34, 42, & 55 Gallon)

Rescue Mission

One of the best ways to support the Mission is through their eBay store! Check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RescueMissionOfRoanoke/ to hear more from their CEO about their needs. 

Go to https://www.ebay.com/str/roanokerescuemission to shop now!

IMMEDIATE NEEDS

• Pallet Jack
• Men and Women’s Deodorant
• Men and Women’s Razors
• Women’s Underwear (All Sizes)
• Hair Care Products for African American Men and Women
• Dove Bar Soap (Unscented)
• Peanut Butter
• Jelly
• Milk
• Empty Tennis Ball Cans
• Bubble Wrap (New and Used)

Read their April Newsletter here for more information.

        
Commonwealth Catholic Charities and St. Francis Food Pantry

• All CCC offices remain open, but on-site staff presence has been limited – staff that can work remotely are being encouraged to do so.
  • Refugee arrivals have been suspended, but CCC staff is continuing its work with current refugee clients – required home visits are taking place outdoors with appropriate social distancing in place.
  • We will really need the support of our parishes for the refugee program moving forward – if you would like more informatiom about this, email mgaskin@standrewsva.org. 
• CCC’s Housing Counselors are available through the phone or on video chat.
  • Can help those seeking mortgage relief from their lenders
  • Can offer advice & assistance on communicating with your landlord.
• Unfortunately, our housing financial assistance has been exhausted at this time, but there is a chance we could access more soon (I will update)
  • Contact housing counselors via the phone based on your region (numbers listed below – contact the one closest to your parish) or thru email (Lisa.Robbins@cccofva.org)
    • Roanoke: 540.268.0044
• St. Francis House is still operating and doing so as a curbside set-up to eliminate all unnecessary contact.
  • One note of importance during this crisis is that parish volunteers can schedule, pick-up, and deliver for those in need. They just need to call in ahead of time to schedule an appointment and they’ll have to complete some demographic information about the individual or family you’re dropping off to (full name, address, household size, and if they require all ready-to-eat food or if they have food heating/cooking capabilities).
  • In addition to that, the 30-day rule is being relaxed. Previously, clients were only able to receive food once every 30 days – NOW, if they need food, they’ll get food.
  • St. Francis House, located at 836 Campbell Ave in Roanoke, is open Monday - Friday from 9AM – 12PM, please call ahead to make any appointments for pickup (540.268.0044).
• In connection with St. Francis House, we do need your continued support with in-kind donations, financial support, and volunteers. They have seen a big increase in usage of the food pantry and that has put a strain on our pantry resources. 
  • With volunteers, if you do not fall into any of the vulnerable categories and can give a few hours of your time, they can use them! Volunteering might be a bit scary with everything going on, but if people are interested, please get in touch with CCC.
  • In light of that, they have sped up their volunteer process. Potential volunteers just need to visit https://www.cccofva.org/volunteer to fill out an application and be sure to specify that you're looking to volunteer with the food pantry. Once your complete that, you'll be forwarded directly to staff that manages the food pantry.

Backpack Program
We will be taking our yearly collection for our Backpack Program on Holy Thursday. You can donate here.

Family Promise

From the Family Promise Facebook Page:
"The congregations who host the families in our shelter program for dinner and overnight are the heart of our program. We are all at our best when this compassionate community of congregations come together to support families in crisis. We have temporarily interrupted the hosting cycle because we care about the volunteers who give so much, and because we care about the families we serve, and want to keep them safe. Our current families are safely isolated and receiving alternative shelter and support. We will get through this, and our families will be back in the congregations' loving benevolence when the time is right.

To donate any time, go to: https://familypromiseroanoke.org/donate/make-a-donation/"

Resources from the Legal Aid Society & the Virginia Poverty Law Center:

COVID-19 Eviction FAQ
Unlawful Eviction Toolkit: What to do if your landlord evicts you without a court order
Your Rights as a Tenant During COVID-19 Outbreak
Eviction from Hotels, Motels, Boarding Houses, etc.
Advice on Loss of Income Information

The Justice and Peace Committee serves to vision and implement ministries that serve those in need in the Roanoke Valley. The committee typically meets on the third Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM.

Below are some of the ministries we sponsor.

Angel Tree Ministry

The children represented by the angels hanging on our trees in the Advent season are from two different programs: Catholic Charities’ Therapeutic Foster Care Program and the New River Valley Prison Outreach Program. Christmas gifts are provided to these children through this ministry. 

Backpack Program (Feeding America)

The BackPack Program is designed to meet the needs of hungry children at times when other resources are not available, such as weekends and school vacations. Backpacks are filled with food that children take home and can easily prepare. St. Andrew’s fills 35 backpacks each week for Morningside Elementary in Roanoke. 

Crisis Aid

Persons in need frequently come to St. Andrew’s in crisis situations.  Often they need assistance with utility bills, rent/mortgage, or food and gas.  The Justice and Peace budget provides for these occasions and is distributed by the Pastoral staff as funds are available. 

Family Promise

Family Promise is a program that utilizes area churches to house homeless families a week at a time while they work to find their own home or apartment. During their stay, we provide a good meal in the evening and rooms in the church to sleep.  Currently, St. Andrew’s hosts families for 2 non-consecutive weeks per year. 

RAM House Volunteers

A group of St. Andrew’s parishioners volunteer to prepare lunch one Saturday per month from 9:30 AM to 11:00AM at Roanoke Area Ministries.  RAM House is a day shelter for those who are homeless. 

Respect Life

The Respect Life Ministry at St. Andrew’s participates in the advocacy and promotion of the Church’s teaching on issues related to protecting life from birth to natural death.  Programs include 40 Days for Life and March for Life. 

St. Francis House Food Pantry Donations

Food and other items needed by St. Francis House are collected at our weekly masses.  

Society of St. Vincent De Paul

This ministry sends members of the society, called Vincentians, out to the homes of those in need to offer prayer and financial assistance.

Viet Toc Foundation

St. Andrew’s supports the mission of The Viet Toc Foundation which aids the minority Montagnard communities in Vietnam.  We are ‘twinned’ with a local parish in Vietnam (Ayunpa) to help provide resources for education, relief services and spiritual formation. 

Budgeted Support of the Following Ministries:

RAM House, Presbyterian Community Center, Viet Toc, Meals on Wheels, St. Francis House, Catholic Charities, Roanoke Catholic School Tuition Assistance, Refugee and Immigration Services and Madonna House.