MISSION MINISTRIES
Our mission at Naples UCC is to love God and one another as God loves us.
As a mission-driven church, we believe in following Christ’s calling by living in service to the wider world.
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“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
( 1 Peter 4:10 )
Our Mission Partners
NUCC provides funds and volunteer time to a host of non-profit organizations serving families and communities in Collier County and overseas. Through prayerful discernment and an analysis of community needs, NUCC develops relationships with its mission partners. Revenues from the Bargain Box help support the Board of Mission and Outreach’s grant program. To learn more about the Bargain Box, Click here
Volunteer Opportunities
In addition to the scheduled church-sponsored volunteer opportunities listed below, there are many other occasions throughout the year to support our mission partners. These include the Baby Basics Angel Tree and the Alternative Gift Market at Christmas as well as backpack collection for Grace Place children in the spring. Volunteer or donation opportunities during the holidays or for special events are announced in Sunday bulletins and weekly e-blasts.
Our Bargain Box Thrift Store
The Bargain Box is the oldest church mission thrift store in Naples and is run by volunteers, most of whom are members of Naples United Church of Christ. Revenue created by store sales funds the church’s many outreach efforts. Over the years, the Bargain Box has contributed over $1 million to charities that provide human services both locally and globally. To be part of a volunteer opportunity that helps a great cause, contact Sandy Goldstein, Manager, at (239) 262-3802. To learn more about the Bargain Box click here.
Grace Place for Children and Families
To learn more about our mission partner, visit their website at www.graceplacenaples.org
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Food Pantry
Join NUCC volunteers at the Grace Place Food Pantry which operates every Friday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Grace Place currently serves approximately 300 families every week. On designated Fridays, from October through April, NUCC volunteers work two shifts, 12:00-2:30 pm and 2:30-4:00 pm. Dates will be announced in the NUCC’s e-blasts, Sunday bulletins and Church calendar. May through September volunteers may sign up directly with Melisa Mast, melisa.mast@graceplacenaples.org, for a time that suits their schedule.
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Cans for Communion
-Donations of nonperishable food items for the Grace Place Food Pantry will be collected before each service on Communion Sunday, the first Sunday of the month. A list of food items needed is available at https://graceplacenaples.org/food-pantry/ .
-Volunteers who wish to help unload donations from arriving cars may sign up by calling the Church office.
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Back Pack Supplies
Every May, donations of backpacks filled with school supplies are collected for the children Grace Place serves. Watch for announcements listing the supplies needed as well as the collection date in the NUCC e-blasts and Sunday bulletin.
Habitat for Humanity Build Days
On the first Saturday of the month, NUCC holds Build Days from 8:00 am to noon. The team is currently building homes in The Whitaker Woods Project, at 5825 Whitaker Road, Naples, directly across from Youth Haven. Volunteers are encouraged to drive directly to the site or carpool. If interested, please sign up in the Gathering Place on Sundays. To register, go to tinyurl.com/NUCCbuild.
When registering online, a confirmation will be received with the site location and other details. If not signing up online, a waiver will need to be signed upon arrival at the site. Dates are announced in NUCC’s e-blasts, Sunday bulletins and Church calendar. Join us for a fun day of service! To learn more about our mission partner, visit https://www.habitatcollier.org
Harry Chapin Food Bank
HCFB feeds a quarter of a million people each month in five-counties. On the first Wednesday of the month, NUCC volunteers pack food from 8:30-11:30 or noon to 3:00 pm.
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Volunteers who participated before need to register online at https://www.volgistics.com/vicnet/289330/login.
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First time volunteers go to https://www.volgistics.com/appform/754780826 to submit a quick application.
Signups are also available in the Gathering Place on Sundays or by calling the church office. Watch for packing dates in NUCC’s e-blasts, Sunday bulletins or Church calendar. To learn more about our mission partner visit https://harrychapinfoodbank.org.
Youth Haven
On Christmas morning, NUCC volunteers prepare breakfast for the residents of Youth Haven. Signups are available in the Gather Place on Sundays or by calling the church office. Watch for announcements in NUCC’s e-blasts and Sunday bulletins. To learn more about our mission partner, visit https://youthhavenswfl.org
MISSIONS AND OUTREACH PHOTO GALLERY
Explore our missions photo gallery to see snapshots of life at Naples UCC.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
NUCC provides in-kind services to the following organizations
Alcoholics Anonymous
Artis Naples Youth Jazz Orchestra
Baby Basics of Collier County
Fun Time Academy
GLSEN + You Change
Greater Naples Leadership
Interfaith Alliance of Southwest Florida
PFLAG
The Naples Players, Inc.
UCC Pensions Board