Seeds Publishers Engaging churches in the healing of poverty and hunger

Future events

Here are a couple of contacts for the local hunger page...Kenneth Moerbe: caritas@grandecom.net
Buddy Edwards: becaritas@grandecom.net

The Caritas number is 753-4593
Their web site is www.caritas-waco.org

Here's their calendar for the year:
• Greater Bohemian Open Golf Tournament, Benefiting Caritas of Waco July 26
• Fast of Caring October 16
• Heart of Texas CROP Hunger Walk October 19
• Food For Families Food Drive November 21
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As the Caritas calendar says, the CROP Walk is October 19.
Caritas is the local recipient for this year.

The CROP Walk contacts (for now) are me and Charley Garrison:
Charley Garrison

Also cropwalkwaco@earthlink.net

The web site is http://home.earthlink.net/~cropwalkwaco/

Charley's number is 753-5331

I think Linda Freeto is going to take over the church "committee," so I'll let you know if the contact info changes.
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Esther Morales convenes the McLennan County Hunger Coalition meetings. Here's her info.

Esther Morales,Program Director
HELPINGS: Food Stamp Outreach
300 South 15th Street
Waco, Texas 76701
254.753.3545
Fax:254.752.4434
foodoutreach@grandecom.net

Hellooooooo--

Here is the CROP stuff. It's probably not arranged like you will use it, but all of the info is here.

Steering Committee meetings for the Heart of Texas CROP WALK for Hunger:

March 25 at 5:30 PM
April 22 at 5:30 PM
May 27 at 5:30 PM
June 24 at 5:30 PM
July 22 at 5:30 PM
August 26 at 5:30 PM
September 23 at 5:30 PM
November 25 at 5:30 PM

If you would like to help organize a fundraiser for relief and development locally and around the world, please come to this meeting. Funds will go to the national and international work of Church World Service, and locally to Caritas of Waco. Steering Committee meetings will take place on the fourth Tuesday of every month (except October) at 5:30 PM at the office of Seeds of Hope Publishers at 602 James Avenue in Waco. (It's in the Leuschner Building at the Seventh & James Baptist Church.) Call Katie Cook at 755-7745 for directions.

Other dates:

September 4 at 6:00 PM
The Kick-off Supper
at Caritas of Waco, 1500 S. Mary.

October 19 at 2:30 PM
The Heart of Texas CROP WALK for Hunger
At the Bledsoe-Miller Recreational Center, 300 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd

Archive of old things:

March 2 -- "Cry of the Poor" with Shane Claiborne & the David Crowder Band -- 6:00, 1701 Dutton, Mission Waco and University Baptist Church are hosting an incredible evening of challenge on behalf of the poor of our world:Shane Claiborne and The David Crowder Band . A donation of $10 is requested for the event which all goes to help Mission Waco's work in Haiti and UBC's work in Kenya.

March 13 -- McLennan County Hunger Coalition (MCHC) meeting -- A loose-knit group of food pantry representatives and other folks who want to be strong local advocates regarding hunger issues in McClennan County and elseswhere, the MCHC meets monthly, 12-1, Caritas of Waco Conference Room, 300 S. 15th.   For more information e-mail Kenneth Moerbe.

March 13 -- Feast of Caring   -- Annual fund-raising and awareness building event for Caritas of Waco.  Includes a meal of soup and bread.  6:00, Knox Hall.  For more information call 254-753-4593.

March 14 -- Helping Network Meeting -- 12:00 - 1:00, Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1300 Austin Avenue.  Helping Network meets monthly to give representatives of local ministries an opportunity to share information and ideas.  For more information e-mail: rheyduck@austinavenueumc.org

March 15-17 - "Open Table" representatives in Waco. "Open Table" is a process developed at a church in Phoenix , AZ, in which a group of people from a church work together to help an individual or family in need plan for and work toward economic stability and wholeness. Representatives from the Open Table organization will be in town to meet with church leaders and members who are interested in bringing such a program to their church. For more information contact Rosemary Townsend : rtownsend004@hot.rr.com.  

March 22 -- World Water Day 

March 25 -- Steering Committee Meeting for Heart of Texas CROP walk -- 5:30, Seeds of Hope Publishers Office, Leuschner Building, Seventh & James Baptist Church, 602 James Avenue -- Come help organize this annual fundraiser for relief and development locally and around the world.  Funds will go to the national and international work of Church World Service, and locally to Caritas of Waco.  Call Katie Cook at 755-7745 for directions.

March 29 -- Family Fair -- 2-5 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church (18th and Bosque). Community day of family fun plus  information on opening bank accounts, home ownership, voter registration and other important issues.    For more information contact Louis_Gomez@baylor.edu. 

April 1 -- Spring Gardening Series  at the World Hunger Farm. -- From our desire to encourage more gardening in the Waco area, we have created a four-part class series designed to help people grow better vegetables and pass on gardening knowledge in the community. Cost - $25.  E-mail localeducation@worldhungerrelief.org  for more information.

April 10 -- McLennan County Hunger Coalition (MCHC) meeting - 12-1, Caritas of Waco Conference Room, 300 S. 15th. A loose-knit group of food pantry representatives and other folks who want to be strong local advocates regarding hunger issues in McClennan County and elsewhere, the MCHC meets monthly, usually on the second Thursday of each month. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact Esther Morales at 753-3545 or foodoutreach@grandecom.net . 

April 11 -- "Human Trafficking and Immigration: Key Issues of Our Time" workshop sponsored by Baylor School of Social Work Center for Family and Community Ministries. -- 8:15 - noon, Baylor Law School, room 127. With the U.S. recognized as the second most popular destination country in the world for victims of this crime, most of whom are women and children, and 25% of all identified victims in the U.S. found in Texas, this is an issue that deserves attention. Attendees will gain an understanding of how victims are often recruited and controlled, as well as what their needs are upon rescue. $30 for practitioners, $20-general public, $10 for BUSSW field instructors and task supervisors, Free for current BU students. Register at Baylor School of Social Work website. Click on "Events." Registration deadline April 4.

April 11 -- Helping Network Meeting -- 12:00 - 1:00, Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1300 Austin Avenue.  Helping Network meets monthly (the second Friday of the month) to give representatives of local ministries an opportunity to share information and ideas.  For more information e-mail: rheyduck@austinavenueumc.org

April 12 -- Spring Farm Day at the World Hunger Farm  -- Citywide presentation of Bread for the World Offering of Letters from area churches at 10:00.  For more information about how to participate in the Offering of Letters contact Matt Hess: whrimatt@hot.rr.com. For more information about Bread for the World and how to write a letter, click here: Writing Letters to Congress.

April 12 -- Two-step across the Brazos --A chance to have a wonderful time two-stepping while at the same time supporting Caritas.  2:00 - 6:00, Indian Spring Park. $25 for couples, $15 for singles. For more information call 753-4593. 

April 17 - "Fashion with a Passion" style show and luncheon benefiting Mission Waco Recovery Programs. 11:30-1:00, Barron's on 5th, 1705 North Fifth Street. Fashions from Mission Waco's Resale Store THE CLOTHESLINE. Accents and Accessories provided by AMELIA'S FASHION EXCHANGE and COLLAGE Gallery, Studio and Boutique Donation: $25 (Door Prizes at event!) Call 254-753-4900, ext 230 for ticket info!

April 19 -- Sharefest Waco  -  an annual event bringing the churches in the greater Waco area together to visibly demonstrate the love of Christ through united prayer, a day of serving in the community, sharing (food, fans, and blood drive), and celebrating together God's goodness.

April 19-20 -- Earth Day at Cameron Park Zoo -- Habitat for Humanity Re-store will have a booth at the event.  

April 21 -- Earth Day Banquet -- 6:30 pm -8:30pm, Harrington House (Baylor Campus, corner of 8th Street and Baylor) $35.00. Join us for a special four course meal that will delight your taste buds with organic and local foods and also raise awareness and funds for two Non-profit programs: Keep Waco Beautiful  and the World Hunger Relief Farm.  Contact Derek_Rascon@baylor.edu  or phone 254-733-7375 for more information.  Please call or e-mail to reserve a seat.April 22 - Earth Day  

April 22 -- Earth Day Fair -- 11:oo am- 2:30 pm, Free Event Baylor Campus (Fountain Mall, 5th Street near the Student Union Building) - This Earth Day join us at Baylor as we celebrate and empower our community to be better stewards of our environment. At the heart of our fair is the locally grown lunch sponsored by Baylor's student government. Celebrants are welcome to enjoy our live music as well as learn more about what they can do to be better stewards. Contact Derek_Rascon@baylor.edu  or phone 254-733-7375 for more information.  

April 22 -- Steering Committee Meeting for Heart of Texas CROP walk  

April 24 -- Christian Women's Job Corps (CWJC) Graduation -- Reception at 6:30 and Ceremony at 7:00, Meadowbrook Baptist Church 1207 Old Robinson Rd.  

April 26 -- Many Forms, One Body: Ministry Development for People with Intellectual & Physical Special Needs -- 9-1, Crestview Church of Christ, 7129 Delhi Road.  Sponsored by Potter's Vessel Ministries and Children's Special Needs Network. Hear how congregations are embracing children with special needs.  Benefit from the experience of others who have developed or are now developing special needs ministries.  Discuss curriculum, materials and other resources for Sunday School and worship.  Beneficial for pastors, lay ministers and families with special needs children.  Please RSVP by April 22.  Contact number: 254-757-3633.

April 26 -- Calvary Baptist Church Neighborhood Yard Sale- 6am-2pm, anyone is invited to come and set up a table for free to sell their wares. They are also asking non-profit organizations to come and set up a table to provide information about their services. Calvary has a limited number of tables, and they recommend that you bring your own to set up any posters or pamphlets. In the past, the wind has caused a bit of a problem for some, and you should probably bring some paperweights if you would like to lay out several different brochures or papers. This is an excellent opportunity to recruit clients and get the word out about what your organization does for the community! You do not need to make a reservation, but if you would like more information please contact Sam Oakley at soakley@cbcwaco.com. 

April -- Any Wednesday, Thursday or Friday in April - Bring a friend and have lunch at the Gospel Café, corner of 10th & Cleveland (across I-35 from Baylor) between 11:30 and 1:30.  Home-cooked meals, dessert and drink by donation. Your gift helps to feed those who can't afford a donation! And you'll be introducing others to this CrossTies Ecumenical Church ministry in South Waco that serves the nutrition needs of our poor and homeless friends. 

April 29 -- Rapoport Academy Public School Open House - 5:00- tours of all three campuses, 6:30- general information session for all grade levels. - Developed in response to failing TAAS scores among poor, minority students in East Waco, The Rapoport Academy opened its doors in 1998 with 16 students; enrollment for 2007 was 311 in pre-k through 10th grade. The Academy has enjoyed tremendous success for all students and has been awarded an $800K grant to disseminate best practices among charter schools (A+ Best Practices Program). Serving a wide diversity of students, Rapoport Academy is a public school, no tuition charged. To learn more about open house click here: open house flyer. To learn more about the Rapopport Academy, including a review of TAKS scores, click here: www.rapoportacademy.com.

May 2-3 - "Including the Excluded" Workshop on Mental Illness & Addiction sponsored by Mission Waco. - Meyer Center, 1226 Washington, 9:00 - 4:00 Friday, 8:30 to Noon Saturday. $35 (late registration for both days, less for one day) including lunch. Outstanding professional speakers, workshops and panel discussions will help participants overcome common myths about these social challenges and build a case for greater involvement in the church and community. Interested persons can register online at http://www.missionwaco.org/or call 254.753.4900. Worship service Friday at 7:00. (See description below.)

May 2 -- Community Worship Service featuring "Well Community" Pastor -- Meyer Center, 1226 Washington, 7:00 pm -- Joel Pulis, pastor of the "Well Community" will preach. The Well Community is 80 member congregation in Oak Cliff, Dallas, whose members all have mental illnesses. The worship service is open to all churches and individuals. Several folks who have overcome alcohol/drug addiction will also share in the service. To learn more about the Well Community, click here: www.wellcommunity.net.  Event sponsored by Mission Waco  as part of the "Including the Excluded" workshop on Mental Illness and Addiction. (See description above.) 

May 3 - World Cup Café Fair Trade Global Bazaar - World Cup Cafe, corner of 15th and Colcord. One special day to shop for Mother's Day gifts which help the poor.  

May 3 -- Spring Gardening Series  at the World Hunger Farm. -- From our desire to encourage more gardening in the Waco area, we have created a four-part class series designed to help people grow better vegetables and pass on gardening knowledge in the community. Cost: $25.E-mail localeducation@worldhungerrelief.org  for more information. May 4 -- Sunday Brunch Open House benefit for Meals On Wheels - 11:30 to 1:30 at the home of Becky and Claude Lindsey, 100 Old Steinbeck Road, Waco, TX. $50.00 per person. Tickets are available at Central Texas Senior Ministry, 501 W. Waco Drive, or call 254-752-0316 for more information.  May 7 - Master of Social Work Practice Colloquium - 8 a.m. -5 p.m., Cashion Academic Center on Baylor Campus -- Baylor School of Social Work graduate students present more than 60 capstone presentations on subjects such as immigration, social advocacy, congregational social work, local and global hunger and homelessness. Open to the public, CEU credit hours available for practitioners. Cost: $10. For more information call 254-710-6000 or e-mail: Krista_Barrett@baylor.edu.  May 8 -- McLennan County Hunger Coalition (MCHC) meeting - 12-1, the Gospel Café, 825 South 10th Street. Doors open at 11:30am. A loose-knit group of food pantry representatives and other folks who want to be strong local advocates regarding hunger issues in McClennan County and elsewhere, the MCHC meets monthly, usually on the second Thursday of each month. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact Esther Morales at 753-3545 or foodoutreach@grandecom.net .May 9 - "Food for Thought" Global Fair Trade Breakfast - 9:00 a.m. World Cup Cafe, Corner of 15th and Colcord, Tickets $10 includes breakfast and festivities. Come learn about Fair Trade.  May 9 -- Helping Network Meeting -- 12:00 - 1:00, Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1300 Austin Avenue.  Helping Network meets monthly (the second Friday of the month) to give representatives of local ministries an opportunity to share information and ideas.  For more information e-mail: rheyduck@austinavenueumc.orgMay 9 - Medicare, Part D: Questions, Answers and Assistance - 11 am - 1pm, Waco-McLennan County Public Library, 17th and Austin, big meeting room downstairs -- Representatives from the Social Security Administration and other area agencies will be on site to discuss the Prescription Drug Coverage Program (Medicare, Part D) and help recipients determine their eligibility for subsidy assistance to help pay for it.  May 10 -- National Association of Letter Carriers "Stamp out Hunger" Food Drive -- Place bags with non-perishable food items next to your mailbox.  Your letter carrier will pick them up.  Or drop off food at your post office any day this week. For more information click here: Stamp out Hunger.  May 11 - Global Day of Prayer - 7:00 am, World Cup Café, corner of 15th and Colcord. Join us in Waco as we join millions of Christians around the world praying on the same day! May 12-13 - Who Cares for the Children? Church-based Child Care Summit - Buckner Campus, Dallas, TX. The focus of this summit will be on encouraging churches to be more missions-minded in how they approach childcare programs. Keynote speakers will be Diana Garland, Dean of the Baylor School of Social Work and Eileen Linder, General Secretary for the National Council of Churches. Click here for more information: Who Cares for the Children? Summit  or e-mail jon_singletary@baylor.eduMay 15 -- Fun-filled, Get-Your-Hands-Dirty Service Project at Doris Miller Elementary School, 4:30 - 6:00 pm. Come participate in community gardening and learn about open positions with AmeriCorps for 2008-2009. Full-time and part-time AmeriCorps positions are available with living allowance, health insurance, and child care assistance provided. For more information, contact Carrie Arroyo at carroyo@cis-hot.org or 753-6002 ext 224.May 16 -- Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition meeting -- 11:45 a.m., City of Waco hosting at Catholic Charities Onward & Upward Building, 4709 Bosque Blvd. -- The HOT Homeless Coalition was formed for charitable and educational purposes relating to the promotion, support, development, and furtherance of rehabilitation services, resources and treatment programs for persons who are homeless in the Heart of Texas Region of the State of Texas. All meetings of the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition are held on the third Friday of the month, unless it conflicts with a holiday. Lunch is served at 11:45am and the meeting starts promptly at 12:00pm noon. To RSVP for lunch, please call Trisha at Caritas at (254) 753-4593 x203 or send an email to pccaritas@grandecom.net. For information about membership, see the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition website: www.hothomeless.org.  May 17 - The Bubble Festival: A Foster Care Awareness Event - 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bledsoe Miller Recreation Center, 300 Martin Luther King Blvd. Sponsored by the Department of Family and Protective Services in McClennan County in cooperation with several non-profits, The Bubble Festival is an educational and inspirational event inviting the community to become educated and involved concerning the needs of the foster care system. Come learn how you can get involved in changing the life of a child. If you belong to a group that provides services to children or plays a role in the foster system, you are invited to call to reserve a table so you can directly bring information and awareness to all who attend. For questions or to reserve a table call Sherry Harris 254-750-9210. For a flyer describing the event, click here: Bubble Festival Flyer.  May 20 -- Improving Communication between Health Professionals and Older Patients: Geriatric Health Literacy, 9:30 am - 3 pm, Family Health Center Lecture Hall, 1600 Providence Dr., Waco. Workshop will prepare participants to examine their communication skills with older adults. This will include discussion on hearing and visual impairments common in later life as well as the challenges of working in bi-lingual environments. Models of health care literacy will be offered along with practical suggestions from a panel of health care providers from our community. CEUs available. No cost for workshop or CEUs. For more information contact Amanda Thomas (254-753-4392 X12 or Tony Dinuzzo, Ph.D. Phone: 409-772-5367, E-mail: adinuzzo@utmb.edu. Click here for more information: Geriatric Health Literacy Brochure and Registration.May 20 - World Hunger Relief, Inc. Kitchen Dedication and Pounding - 7 pm, World Hunger Relief Farm, Education Building. -- Through the generosity of the Paul & Jane Meyer Family Foundation, the Salome Family Fund, and the hard work of many staff, interns and volunteers, World Hunger Relief, inc has completed the addition of a new kitchen for intern families and remodeled the Education Building's community kitchen into a commercial-grade facility. Please join them for refreshments and a dedication of the two kitchens. Bring your family and a friend, and feel free to bring a gift to help stock the kitchens - anything from food staples to a selection from the registries listed on the attached invitation: WHRI Pounding Invitation.  May - Contribute donations for JUNKfest '08 (Join Us for a New Kingdom) A community-wide garage sale. - Throughout May volunteers will collect donations. All proceeds from the sale will go to Mission Waco/World Hunger Relief's efforts in Ferrier, Haiti. The goal is to love our neighbors in Haiti through the redistribution and reclaiming of our excess junk -- to salvage the old in order to recapture the vision that another world is possible. Volunteers will to come pick up your old junk. Please call Stephen @ 281.615.4670, or email junkfest08@gmail.com. Actual garage sale date is May 31st, Calvary Baptist Church Parking Lot. For more information about how you can help click here: JUNKfest info.May 27 -- Steering Committee Meeting for Heart of Texas CROP walk - 5:30, Seeds of Hope Publishers Office, Leuschner Building, Seventh & James Baptist Church, 602 James Avenue - Come help organize this annual fundraiser for relief and development locally and around the world. Funds will go to the national and international work of Church World Service, and locally to Caritas of Waco. Call Katie Cook at 755-7745 for directions.May 31 -- JUNKfest '08 (Join Us for a New Kingdom) A community-wide garage sale. Calvary Baptist Church parking lot. All proceeds from the sale will go to Mission Waco/World Hunger Relief's efforts in Ferrier, Haiti. The goal is to love our neighbors in Haiti through the redistribution and reclaiming of our excess junk -- to salvage the old in order to recapture the vision that another world is possible. For more information call Stephen @ 281.615.4670, or email junkfest08@gmail.com. For more information about how you can help, click here: JUNKfest info.June 3 -- Spring Gardening Series at the World Hunger Farm. -- From our desire to encourage more gardening in the Waco area, we have created a four-part class series designed to help people grow better vegetables and pass on gardening knowledge in the community. Cost: $25.E-mail localeducation@worldhungerrelief.org for more information.June 7-- Spring Gardening Series at the World Hunger Farm. -- From our desire to encourage more gardening in the Waco area, we have created a four-part class series designed to help people grow better vegetables and pass on gardening knowledge in the community. Cost: $25.E-mail localeducation@worldhungerrelief.org for more information.June 12- McLennan County Hunger Coalition (MCHC) meeting - 12-1, Caritas of Waco Conference Room, 300 S. 15th. A loose-knit group of food pantry representatives and other folks who want to be strong local advocates regarding hunger issues in McClennan County and elsewhere, the MCHC meets monthly, usually on the second Thursday of each month. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact Esther Morales at 753-3545 or foodoutreach@grandecom.netJune 13- Helping Network Meeting - 12:00 - 1:00, Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1300 Austin Avenue. Helping Network meets monthly to give representatives of local ministries an opportunity to share information and ideas. For more information e-mail: rheyduck@austinavenueumc.orgJune 14 - Open Table University training - 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 515 Columbus Ave. The training is free to any person and/or church that is interested in learning more about the Open Table. To sign up or for more information contact: rosemary_townsend@baylor.edu. For more information about The Open Table, click here: www.theopentable.org .June 14 - "NeighborWorks Week" Workday and Celebration - 7:30 am - 2:00 pm, South Waco Pavilion 2815 Speight. -- NeighborWorks Week is a time of service and celebration that unites volunteers, community organizations, and neighborhood residents each June. This year we will be in University neighborhood. Volunteers will gather at the South Waco Pavilion at 7:30 AM to form work teams. The teams will then fan out through the neighborhood to complete projects including planting tree saplings, trimming limbs, picking up trash...and, if there are enough volunteers, painting homes. While the volunteers are finishing their work, a celebration will begin at the park at 10 AM. There will be children's games such as relay races and water balloon tosses. At Noon, all volunteers and celebration attendees will meet at the park for a FREE lunch of hot dogs, chips and drinks. All skill levels welcome. For more information contact Chad Klawetter at cklawetter@nw-waco.org or call 254-752-1647.June 16-27 - Waco Habitat for Humanity Annual House Raising - Waco Habitat needs volunteers to help with construction on weekdays during its annual House Raising Project. All skill levels are welcome, including willing learners. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and accompanied by an adult if under 18 years old. For more information or to schedule volunteer time, please contact the Waco Habitat office at 756-7575 or volunteer@wacohabitat.org .June 20 -- Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition meeting - 11:45 a.m., Compassion Ministries, 1421 Austin Ave. The HOT Homeless Coalition was formed for charitable and educational purposes relating to the promotion, support, development, and furtherance of rehabilitation services, resources and treatment programs for persons who are homeless in the Heart of Texas Region of the State of Texas. All meetings of the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition are held on the third Friday of the month, unless it conflicts with a holiday. Lunch is served at 11:45am and the meeting starts promptly at 12:00pm noon. To RSVP for lunch, please call Trisha at Caritas at (254) 753-4593 x203 or send an email to pccaritas@grandecom.net. For information about membership, see the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition website: http://hothomeless.org.June 20-21 -- Care Net Pregnancy Center of Central Texas Volunteer training. Men and women volunteers wanted. Click here for more information: Care Net Volunteer Training.June 24 -- Steering Committee Meeting for Heart of Texas CROP walk - 5:30, Seeds of Hope Publishers Office, Leuschner Building, Seventh & James Baptist Church, 602 James Avenue - Come help organize this annual fundraiser for relief and development locally and around the world. Funds will go to the national and international work of Church World Service, and locally to Caritas of Waco. Call Katie Cook at 755-7745 for directions.June - HOT Hunger Awareness Month: "Hunger Doesn't Take a Summer Break" - Sponsored by the McLennan County Hunger Coalition (MCHC) in collaboration with Waco ISD Child Nutrition Services -- The purpose of Hunger Awareness Month is to spread the word that all children 1-17 years of age, regardless of whether or not they are students in the WISD, can receive a free breakfast and lunch at the WISD feeding sites. Adults can take advantage of these same nutritious meals at the reasonable price of $2.00 for breakfast and $3.00 for lunch. To see the memo from Child Nutrition Services, click here: Summer Feeding Memo. To see the list of feeding sties, click here: Summer Feeding Sites. For more information about how you can help with this program contact: foodoutreach@grandecom.net.July 10 - McLennan County Hunger Coalition (MCHC) meeting - 12-1, Caritas of Waco Conference Room, 300 S. 15th. A loose-knit group of food pantry representatives and other folks who want to be strong local advocates regarding hunger issues in McClennan County and elsewhere, the MCHC meets monthly, usually on the second Thursday of each month. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact Esther Morales at 753-3545 or foodoutreach@grandecom.net
July 11 - Lead-Based Paint Safe Work Practices Training - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. -- NeighborWorks Training Center 922 Franklin Ave, $15 registration fee pays for snacks, drinks, lunch. Registration deadline: July 7, fee due at time of registration. The City of Waco will host a Lead-Based Paint Safe Work Practices course for persons interested in learning the rules, regulations, and information about Lead Based Paint issues. The class is for realtors, brokers, rehabilitation contractors, etc. interested in learning the requirements for dealing with lead-based paint and federally funded housing programs. For more info call: 254-750-5656. For a flyer click here: Lead-Based Paint Training.
July 11 - Helping Network Meeting - 12:00 - 1:00, Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1300 Austin Avenue. Helping Network meets monthly to give representatives of local ministries an opportunity to share information and ideas. For more information e-mail: rheyduck@austinavenueumc.orgJuly 10 - McLennan County Hunger Coalition (MCHC) meeting - 12-1, Caritas of Waco Conference Room, 300 S. 15th. A loose-knit group of food pantry representatives and other folks who want to be strong local advocates regarding hunger issues in McClennan County and elsewhere, the MCHC meets monthly, usually on the second Thursday of each month. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact Esther Morales at 753-3545 or foodoutreach@grandecom.net
July 11 - Lead-Based Paint Safe Work Practices Training - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. -- NeighborWorks Training Center 922 Franklin Ave, $15 registration fee pays for snacks, drinks, lunch. Registration deadline: July 7, fee due at time of registration. The City of Waco will host a Lead-Based Paint Safe Work Practices course for persons interested in learning the rules, regulations, and information about Lead Based Paint issues. The class is for realtors, brokers, rehabilitation contractors, etc. interested in learning the requirements for dealing with lead-based paint and federally funded housing programs. For more info call: 254-750-5656. For a flyer click here: Lead-Based Paint Training.
July 11 - Helping Network Meeting - 12:00 - 1:00, Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1300 Austin Avenue. Helping Network meets monthly to give representatives of local ministries an opportunity to share information and ideas. For more information e-mail: rheyduck@austinavenueumc.orgJuly 13-19 -- Teaching English with Excellence (TEX) Training for Trainers - Sunday 6 pm - Saturday 2 pm. Baylor University. Cost: $200 plus a $50 non-refundable reservation fee. - These sessions are for prospective TEX trainers (not new teachers). After attending these sessions you will be prepared to provide basic training for new volunteer teachers in faith-based English as a second language (ESL) ministries. For more information, click here: TEX Training for Trainers Flyer, or contact Robin Feistel, 936-564-6017, RobinESL@sbcglobal.net. This training is sponsored by the Mary Hill Davis Mission Offering, Literacy ConneXus, Baylor University, and Baptist General Convention of Texas.
July 15 - Deadline for Tribune-Herald "Christmas in July" wish lists -- The Tribune-Herald is accepting the mid-year "wish lists" from area non-profit entities, for a story to run in late July in the lifestyles section. Charitable groups that want to submit a list of their top five material needs (i.e. not volunteers) should send them to reporter Terri Jo Ryan at tjryan@wacotrib.com, or 900 Franklin Ave., Waco TX 76701, no later than July 15.June, July -- 8-Week Sunday Christian Formation Series on the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) - Sundays, 10:10-10:55 a.m., St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Each week will address one of the MDGs: June 8 - Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, June 15-Achieve universal primary education, June 22 - Promote gender equality and empower women, June 29 - Reduce child mortality, July 6 - Improve maternal health, July 13 - Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, July 20 - Ensure environmental sustainability, July 27 - Develop a global partnership for development. For more information or directions, click here: www.stpaulswaco.org
June, July - Summer 2008 Senior Law Forums - Sponsored by the Legal Assistance Project in collaboration with Friends for Life and the Area Agency on Aging. This series of free legal forums for seniors will addresses legal issues for low-income persons and persons living in poverty. For more information, click here: Senior Law Forum Flyer. Or contact the Legal Assistance Project at (254)757-3401 or by email at legalassistanceproject@yahoo.com.
July 17 - Ribbon-cutting for the Meyer High School at Rapoport Academy Public School. - 1:00 pm, 1020 Elm Ave. (Historic Paul Quinn Campus). For more information call 254-754-8000. Click here to see invitation: Ribbon-Cutting Invitation.
July 17-20 - No Need among You: A Texas Style CCDA Institute - The BGCT and Mission Waco collaborate to offer three outstanding days of learning and experience in Waco. Learn the basics of Christian-based community development, how to create holistic programs, ways to reframe poverty issues for teaching the poor, how to empower the poor to lead, and even experience a "world banquet" and Church Under the Bridge. Hear from Dr. John Perkins , founder of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), one of America's most profound leaders in Christian community development. Choose from some outstanding workshops or CCDA institute classes which will help you understand empowerment as a model of urban ministry. This will be a statewide opportunity you will not want to miss! Click here for details: "No Need Among You" Flyer. CCDA is a national association made up of over 3,000 individuals and more than 500 organizations working to inspire and train Christians who seek to bear witness to the Kingdom of God by reclaiming and restoring under-resourced communities. For more information visit their website: http://www.ccda.org/
July 18 -- Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition meeting -11:45, Heart of Texas Region MHMR, 110 S. 12th St. The HOT Homeless Coalition was formed for charitable and educational purposes relating to the promotion, support, development, and furtherance of rehabilitation services, resources and treatment programs for persons who are homeless in the Heart of Texas Region of the State of Texas. All meetings of the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition are held on the third Friday of the month, unless it conflicts with a holiday. Lunch is served at 11:45am and the meeting starts promptly at 12:00pm noon. To RSVP for lunch, please call Trisha at Caritas at (254) 753-4593 x203 or send an email to pccaritas@grandecom.net. For information about membership, see the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition website: www.hothomeless.org.
July 19 -- Ruby Payne's "Bridges Out of Poverty" Training -- Certified trainer Scott Talley will be offering a six-hour training on nationally recognized Ruby Payne's method of understanding and helping lower-income persons overcome their barriers. Last year hundreds of participants attended a similar workshop. Details soon, but hold those dates! Some fee will be charged. For more information on Ruby Payne, click here:
www.ahaprocess.com . This workshop is a part of the "No Need among You" institute (see above.)
July 19 -- Central Texas Youth Services' Project Safe Place Mystery Motorcycle ride. - 9:30, Registration fee: $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Start location: Central Texas Youth Services' main office - 204 North East Street in Belton, Texas. Registration fee includes lunch and entertainment. The ride will be a 100 mile route through scenic Central Texas. All proceeds will be used to help continue the Project Safe Place program in Bell, Coryell, and McLennan counties. For more information and registration click here: Mystery Ride Flyer.
July 22 -- Steering Committee Meeting for Heart of Texas CROP walk - 5:30, Seeds of Hope Publishers Office, Leuschner Building, Seventh & James Baptist Church, 602 James Avenue - Come help organize this annual fundraiser for relief and development locally and around the world. Funds will go to the national and international work of Church World Service, and locally to Caritas of Waco. Call Katie Cook at 755-7745 for directions.
July 26 -- Greater Bohemian Open Golf Tournament, Benefiting Caritas of Waco -- For more information contact Caritas, 254-753-4593 or caritas@grandecom.net.
July 26- Calvary Baptist Church Neighborhood Yard Sale- 6am-2pm, anyone is invited to come and set up a table for free to sell their wares. They are also asking non-profit organizations to come and set up a table to provide information about their services. Calvary has a limited number of tables, and they recommend that you bring your own to set up any posters or pamphlets. In the past, the wind has caused a bit of a problem for some, and you should probably bring some paperweights if you would like to lay out several different brochures or papers. This is an excellent opportunity to recruit clients and get the word out about what your organization does for the community! You do not need to make a reservation, but if you would like more information please contact Sam Oakley at soakley@cbcwaco.com.Geriatric Dental Task Force forming - Central Texas Senior Ministry is interested in addressing a service gap for low income seniors who need dental services. If you are interested in joining a task force please contact Van Jones or Elizabeth Zorn at 752-0316 or email vanjones@seniorminstry.org; ezorn@seniorministry.org. They hope to begin meeting in August, no firm date yet.  

July 3 -Aug 6 -- Gospel Cafe closed. -- CrossTies' Gospel Cafe, which serves meals for donations on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, will be closed during July for the church's annual sabbatical month. Meal service will resume on the first Wednesday of August.
August 2 -- "Biker Run" To Collect School Supplies for Low Income Families- The "Riders of the Son," a local Christian Motorcyclists Association group, will zoom through Waco on Saturday morning, August 2, to numerous businesses, organizations and churches to pick up required school supplies that will be offered once again through Mission Waco's "School Supply Store" in early August. Donated supplies are "sold" for only 20% of their actual cost so that parents can participate in their own children's needs at an affordable price. All collected money goes to buy more supplies. If your group wants to host a "school supply bin" at your place of employment or meetings, call Joyce at 254.753.4900.
August 6 - Nobody's Fool '08 - 8:15 -12:30, Waco Convention Center, 100 Washington Ave. Grades 5-9, girls and boys. $5 registration per child includes breakfast snacks, lunch and a T-shirt. The purpose of Nobody's Fool is to encourage abstinence, promote parent-child communication and give medically accurate and age-appropriate facts about sexuality issues. Trained health educators teach the classes which are divided by age and gender...5th grade boys, 5th grade girls, 6th grade girls, 6th grade boys.....10 classrooms with different objectives and activities. Registration scholarships and transportation are available for those who need them. For more information and registration, including information about parent's preview night, click here: Nobody's Fool Website.

August 6 - Gospel Cafe re-opens after summer sabbatical - Wed-Fri, 11:30 - 1:00, Corner of 10th and Cleveland streets. Lunches served for donations; hot lunch, hot dogs, chef salad available. For more information or to volunteer contact: Sherry@Castello.com .

August 7 - "Benevolence 101" Workshop for Church Office Managers - 12 - 2 p.m., First Baptist Church Waco, lunch provided. The workshop is for church office managers and administrative assistants who often are the first to field walk-in requests for financial or other assistance from persons in need in the community. As part of the workshop, participants will receive a free CD of the "Walking Alongside Resource Manual," a comprehensive listing of faith-based and other services available to people in need in Waco. Deadline for reservations is Aug. 1. Please contact Tammy_Woods@baylor.edu or call 254-710-3704 to make your reservation or ask questions. For more information, click here: Benevolence 101 Press release  

August 9 - Hooray for Health - Free health fair for central Texas families - 9 till noon, Waco Convention Center. FREE immunizations. Bring your child's shot records. Remember no shots - no school! Free health screenings, children's health insurance information, over 40 organizations represented. For more information call 254-753-6002 ext. 223 or go to www.hoorayforhealth.com.  

 August 9 - "Olympics of the Bible" Vacation Bible School -- 9:30am - 3:15pm at the Salvation Army, 1225 Jack Kultgen Expressway (IH35 & S 12th St). For children - Kindergarten thru 6th grade, or 12 years old. Any child that attends will get a voucher for free school supplies to be picked up on 8/24. For information or for pick-up service please call Rosa at 756-7271.

August - Free Pet Spaying/Neutering for Low-Income Families - The Animal Birth Control Center has received a grant to pay for spaying/neutering of pets of qualifying low-income families. For more info, call (254)776-7303. For press release click here: Pet Neutering Grant. For a flyer, click here: Animal Birth Control Flyer.
August - "Making Waves" Swimming Program at Talitha Koum for the summer season. If your group would like to rent the pool, it is one of the ways that CrossTies Ecumenical Church keeps the pool afloat! Cost depends on the number of swimmers in your group. Reservations and pricing can be made by calling John Cowley at 754-7300, x 4 or by emailing John@CowleyGroup.com. The junior Olympic size pool is located at the corner of 13th and Clay. Some morning hours are reserved by Child Care centers. Open swim hours are Monday through Friday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Admission is 50¢. Talitha Koum welcomes Dime Days sponsors so that the poorer children of South Waco have opportunity to swim. $100 brings a Dime Day to the children. Or provide a FREE Swim Day for $300.
Summer budget for ‘08 is only partially fulfilled. Help is needed to keep the pool open the last two weeks of summer. Summer season ends on Friday, August 22. $1,500.00 is needed to keep the pool open for the full season.
August - Salvation Army Youth Programs - 3-day programs focus on positive decision making, stimulating creativity and fostering independence for children in our community. Fees are subsidized, allowing needy individuals to attend for a fraction of the cost. For more information, including dates, click here: Salvation Army Youth Program Dates. For more information about attending a youth program or making a donation so a needy individual might attend, contact Christie Harper at Christie_Harper@uss.salvationarmy.org or 254-756-7271.
August 11 - Interviews start for new classes at Christian Women's Job Corps (CWJC) -- Call 254-757-0416 to get an application. CWJC can mail it to you or you can go by their office to pick it up. For more information about this 14- week training course to help women gain the skills needed for success in life and employment, click here: www.cwjcwaco.org . Women who join us will be 18 years of age or older and are required to be free of drugs and alcohol. Classes start August 25.
August 14 -- New Salvation Army Family Store Opening. 11:00am, corner of Valley Mills and Bosque in the Parkdale Shopping Center (next to Hobby Lobby). Hot dogs and drinks will be available. Almost 9,000 sq ft of furnishings, household items and quality used clothing at a discounted price. Join us for the opening and get some great deals. Proceeds from the store fund social service programs such as food pantry, feeding program, utility assistance, rent assistance, prescription assistance, Christmas assistance, and clothes for those in need. 100% of the proceeds go directly to charitable work in McLennan County. Store hours are Monday thru Friday, 10:00am to 8:00pm, Saturday 9:00am to 7:00pm. Donations are accepted at our drop-off bins and the Salvation Army will collect; call 254-754-2043 for free pick-up. For more information call Christie Harper, Director of Public and Media Relations, 254-756-7271. To see an ad for the new store, click here: New Salvation Army Family Store.
August 14 -- McLennan County Hunger Coalition (MCHC) meeting - 11:45-1:00, Caritas of Waco Conference Room, 300 S. 15th. A coalition of representatives of food pantries, feeding programs, governmental agencies, faith-based organizations, businesses, and interested individuals committed to solving the problems of food insecurity and hunger in the local area, the MCHC meets monthly, usually on the second Thursday of each month. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact Esther Morales at 753-3545 or foodoutreach@grandecom.net.
August 16 - Mission Waco School Supply Store. 8:00 - 3:00, 1525 West Ave. (corner of 16th and West). Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of local folks, donated packets of school supplies are "sold" at an 80% discount (each packet is $5) to lower-income families (limit 3 children per family). Their portion is our way of offering dignity and participation toward empowerment and helps Mission Waco buy more supplies. Store volunteer manager is still seeking volunteers to help at the store and fill any gaps. If you want to buy supplies or give money contact Mission Waco. Call 753.4900 for information.
August 25 - New classes start at Christian Women's Job Corps (CWJC) - Registration and interviews for participants start August 11 and continue until classes begin. Call 254-757-0416 to get an application. CWJC can mail it to you or you can go by their office to pick it up. For more information about this 14- week training course to help women gain the skills needed for success in life and employment, click here: www.cwjcwaco.org. Women who join us will be 18 years of age or older and are required to be free of drugs and alcohol.
August 26 - Neighborhood Agape Meal at First Baptist Church of Waco. Meal is served at 6 p.m. on the last Tuesday of every month in the fellowship hall (Corner of 6th and Clay); optional worship service follows. The Agape Meal is a combination of worship and mission, centering around a delicious family-style meal enjoyed by our homeless/hungry neighbors and our members who volunteer to serve the dinner. Anyone is welcome to come at no cost to the individual/families. For questions contact Nicky Stokes in the church office at 752-3000.
August 27, 28, 29 - Care Net Volunteer Crisis Counselor training. Care Net is an agency who helps anyone facing an unplanned pregnancy. They need crisis counselors who can meet with our clients and walk them through their options. For more information, click here: Care Net Volunteer. Or contact Janie Martinez at 772-6175 or janie@carenetofcentraltexas.org
August 28-September 1 (Labor Day Weekend) - Baylor Alum "Plunge2Poverty" weekend - Baylor Alums in town to see Coach Art Briles' first game are invited to participate in "Plunge2Poverty Weekend" sponsored by Mission Waco and the Baylor Alumni Association. Stay at Mission Waco's Training Center, work with children in a local housing project, attend Church Under the Bridge, and be involved in both discussions and work projects relating to Waco's poverty. Weekend begins Thursday evening, August 28. Cost is $120/each, which includes a ticket to the Baylor v. Wake Forest football game. For more information visit www.missionwaco.org or call 254-753-4900.

Job openings at Avance - Executive Director, Receptionist (32 hours), Teacher's Aid (20 hours. For more information please call 296-0449 or come by the office at 1618 Clay St and fill out an application.  

August - Give to Rapoport Challenge Grant to Benefit Caritas Food Pantry -- The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation has issued a $100,000.00 "challenge grant" to the Caritas Food Pantry. This grant requires the agency to raise $100,000 itself in order to receive the Rapoport matching funds. The result would be a net of $200,000 that would be used for the acquisition and providing of food for Caritas clients. Deadline for giving to the Challenge Grant: August 31. For more information, click here: Rapoport/Caritas Challenge Grant. September 4 - Legal Assistance Project Elder Law Forum - 9:00 - noon, at the Heart of Texas Area Agency on Aging facility at 1514 S. New Road, Waco. Health care decisions for the elderly that allow them to maintain their dignity, even when incapacitated, can be of major concern for many families. These free public forums will cover topics such as navigating the Medicare system, Medical and Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Directives, Guardianships, and Wills and the Probate process. All information will be presented in an easily accessible group format designed to help both seniors and their caregivers through the sometimes overwhelming decision-making process involved in long term-care planning. To see press release, click here: Elder Law Forums.  September 4 -- Waco CROP walk  kick-off Supper at Caritas of Waco, 1500 S. Mary, 6:00.  We will answer questions about Church World Service and Caritas, and distribute materials for folks hoping to organize a walking team from their churches or groups. Supper is free. For more information or directions call Charley Garrison at (254)752-5331 or click here: Waco Crop Walk.  Waco Crop Walk is October 19.September 6 - Christian Women's Job Corps (CWJC) Volunteer Training. 9 - Noon, at the CWJC office located on the campus of the Methodist Children's Home at 1111 Herring Avenue in Waco. This will be a time to learn more about CWJC, the women we serve, and the opportunities to get involved. For more information call 254-757-0416 or visit the CWJC webpage: www.cwjcwaco.org.September 6 - World Hunger Relief Farm Village Store End of Summer Sale. 10 am - 3 pm. The Village Store specializes in fairly traded items from all over the world including several local artisans. The Store carries consumable goods such as coffee, tea, and chocolate as well as functional and decorative items such as baskets, jewelry and pottery. The store is open every Saturday from 10 o'clock to 3 o'clock. Directions: From Waco, go north on I-35. Take Exit 342-B, turn left under the Interstate, and go right at the first turn (Spring Lake Road). We are 1/3 mile down on the right (356 Spring Lake Road). For questions, call 254-799-5611 or e-mail: villagestore@worldhungerrelief.org. For a flyer, click here: Village Store End of Summer Sale.  September 7 - Waco Habitat Community Informational Meeting - 3:00, Mission Waco Jubilee Theater on the corner of North 15th & Colcord. Interested in Applying for a Waco Habitat home? This meeting is the first step in applying for your own home. You don't need to bring anything. Childcare will be provided. For more information, call us at 254.756.7575. Click here for interest form: Habitat Interest Form.  

September 9 - CareNet Celebrate Life Fundraising Banquet - 6:15 p.m., $40 (early bird tickets for $35 available until August 1), Keynote speaker Dr. Alan Keyes, former Ambassador to the United Nations. Reservations may be made by calling 772-8270 or online at www.carenetofcentraltexas.org.  

September 9 - Registration Begins for Teach to Reach English Classes for English Language Learners. Classes will be held Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m., First Baptist Church of Waco. Entrance to ESL Classrooms is on Clay Street. Classes are free and free childcare is available for the enrolled students. Contact Nicky Stokes in the church office at 752-3000 for registration forms, information, questions. 

September 11 -- McLennan County Hunger Coalition (MCHC) meeting - 11:45-1:00, Caritas of Waco Conference Room, 300 S. 15th. A coalition of representatives of food pantries, feeding programs, governmental agencies, faith-based organizations, businesses, and interested individuals committed to solving the problems of food insecurity and hunger in the local area, the MCHC meets monthly, usually on the second Thursday of each month. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact Esther Morales at 753-3545 or foodoutreach@grandecom.net.  

September 11 - Caring Cup Golf Scramble (Mission Waco)  - 11:00 at Cottonwood The annual "Caring Cup" is now registering 4-person teams and seeking underwriters of $1000 to help support the ministry of Mission Waco. This year's event, headed by volunteer golfer Kyle Stevens, will cost $500 per team for a full benefit. One of the unique features of Mission Waco's event is a pre-scramble "Pastors' Shootout" at 11:00, which allow a local pastoral staff and a partner of their choice, to compete for a prizes. Call Joyce Brammer, 753.4900, or email jbrammer@missionwaco.org for details.

September 11 - Operation Christmas Child Fall Rally. 6:30 pm, Highland Baptist Church, 3014 Maple Ave. second floor of the education building. You are invited to learn about spreading the love of Jesus through shoebox gifts. A light meal will be provided. Please call (254) 754-0335 to let them know you are coming. For more information about Operation Christmas Child, click here: Operation Christmas Child.

September 12-14 - Hurricane shelter needs volunteers - Betty Oxford, volunteer coordinator for the Seventh & James hurricane shelter, needs some people to come and be present at the shelter for reasonably short intervals over this weekend, September 12-14. If you can help, please call Betty at 722-2097. If you want to help in some other way, please call Valerie Willis in the Seventh office at 753-4593. 

September 12 - Helping Network Meeting -- 12:00 - 1:00, Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1300 Austin Avenue. Helping Network meets monthly to give representatives of local ministries an opportunity to share information and ideas. For more information e-mail: rheyduck@austinavenueumc.org  

September 13 - Free lecture: Depression and Current Trends of Cognitive Behavior Therapy. 8 -Noon, Mclennan Community College Conference Center. --Depression can be both a cause and an effect of life in poverty. To learn more plan to attend the 14th Annual James W. Jolliff Memorial Seminar sponsored by the Providence DePaul Center. Presenter will be Leslie Sokol, Ph.D., Director of Education and Senior Clinical Associate at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research. For more information or to register, click here: http://www.providence.net/jolliff.htm or call 751-4027. CEU's available.

September 17 - Urban Gardening Coalition meeting. 4 pm at Carver Park Baptist Church. 1020 E. Herring Ave. Items of discussion will include: updates on gardens around Waco as well as the Martin Luther King grant. Please email me with any other agenda items to be addressed. Bring yourselves, bring your friends, bring some of your garden's abundance! For more information contact Bethel Erickson. Phone: 254-799-5611. E-mail: urbangardening@worldhungerrelief.org.  

September 18 - Legal Assistance Project Elder Law Forum - Westphalia Senior Center. (Call center for time: 254-584-5006.)  Health care decisions for the elderly that allow them to maintain their dignity, even when incapacitated, can be of major concern for many families. These free public forums will cover topics such as navigating the Medicare system, Medical and Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Directives, Guardianships, and Wills and the Probate process. All information will be presented in an easily accessible group format designed to help both seniors and their caregivers through the sometimes overwhelming decision-making process involved in long term-care planning. To see press release, click here: Elder Law Forums.  

September 18 - Waco Center for Youth "We're Swingin' for Kids!" Golf Tournament - Cottonwood Creek Golf Course, 11:00 registration, 12:00 Lunch, 1:00 Tee time. $75 per person. $100 hole sign sponsor. Proceeds will benefit the Waco Center for Youth, a mental health facility for emotionally disturbed adolescents. For info contact: Waco Center for Youth Community Relations Department (745-5173). Click here for forms: Registration-front, Registration-back, Sponsorship form.

September 19,20,21 -- Critical Incident Psychosocial Intervention Team Training Event. Are you in training to become or are you currently a social work, psychology, counseling or ministry professional? Did you wish during the Hurricane Katrina/Rita evacuations that you could use your training to help the folks in the shelters address some of the emotional and spiritual challenges that came with their sudden evacuations and the journeys each had taken to come to Waco? If so, we have a new project that we would like to talk with you about. Waco-McLennan County Public Health District is Forming a Critical Incident Psychosocial Intervention Team. Click here for flyer with details: Critical Incident Psychosocial Intervention Volunteer Training. For more information contact Kelly Craine, Preparedness Trainer, Waco-McLennan County Public Health District. Phone: (254) 750-5429 or e-mail: kellyc@ci.waco.tx.us .

September 19 - Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition meeting - 11:45 a.m., Methodist Children's home, 1111 Herring Ave. -- The HOT Homeless Coalition was formed for charitable and educational purposes relating to the promotion, support, development, and furtherance of rehabilitation services, resources and treatment programs for persons who are homeless in the Heart of Texas Region of the State of Texas. All meetings of the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition are held on the third Friday of the month, unless it conflicts with a holiday. Lunch is served at 11:45am and the meeting starts promptly at 12:00pm noon.  To reserve a lunch, please send an email to cogle@mchwaco.org no later than noon on Wednesday September 17. For information about membership, see the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition website: www.hothomeless.org.  

September 20-21 - Waco Cultural Arts festival. Heritage Square, Downtown Waco. Free event with many activities for parents and children. For more information see this website: www.wacoartsfest.org.  

September 20 - Bob Bennett in Concert. 7:30, Jubilee Theatre 1319 N. 15th. What a treat! Bob Bennett wanted to come be a part of Mission Waco's "Walk for the Homeless" and Church Under the Bridge's 16th Anniversary service. His career was launched with the release of his 1979 folk-style debut recording First Things First. Three years later came Matters of the Heart, a recording Contemporary Christian Music Magazine voted 1982's "Album of the Year," ranking it among the top 20 contemporary Christian albums of all time. Soon after the release of his next recording, Non-Fiction, he served as opening act on Amy Grant's Unguarded tour.

September 21 -- Walk for the Homeless - 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. Meyer Center, 1226 Washington Ave. "This was so helpful!" is the most quoted statement after each year's "Walk for the Homeless." Most people tend to accept a lot of the "myths of poverty" and really do not understand why men, women and families end up on the streets. The annual "Walk" will begin at the Meyer Center for Urban Ministries and traverse for about 1.5 miles with seven stops at local ministries and organizations which assist Waco's poor. Readings, prayer, and a short explanation of that group's work follows. Walkers are asked to bring hygiene items and canned meats that are distributed to the organizations to help the homeless. Churches and groups are invited! Call Joyce Brammer, 753.4900, or email jbrammer@missionwaco.org for details.

September 23 - Book Discussion: Take This Bread by Sara Miles. 7:00 pm. The Lake Shore Baptist Church Book Group will be discussing Take this Bread: A Radical Conversion by Sara Miles. Come join in the discussion. Here is the publisher's description: "A provocative reflection on what it means to be Christian describes the author's offbeat journey of faith from cynical atheist to religious activist against hunger, recounting her establishment of food pantries that feed thousands of people and her dealings with battered women, child abusers, millionaires, day laborers, politicians, criminals, and religious leaders on her quest." For location and information call or e-mail Ashley Thornton. Phone 254-757-0586. E-mail: Ashley_Thornton@baylor.edu.  

September 23 -- Steering Committee Meeting for Waco CROP walk - 5:30, Seeds of Hope Publishers Office, Leuschner Building, Seventh & James Baptist Church, 602 James Avenue - Come help organize this annual fundraiser for relief and development locally and around the world. Funds will go to the national and international work of Church World Service, and locally to Caritas of Waco. Call Katie Cook at 755-7745 for directions.