Rules for Life
Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.
Selected from the writing of John Wesley, Founder of Methodism
Our Mission and Outreach programs that we are currently supporting are classified as Local, National, or International, and are described below.
Local
Habitat for Humanity of Pamlico County
Habitat for Humanity of Pamlico County is dedicated to eliminating poverty housing in Pamlico County by building simple, affordable, decent homes in partnership with God’s people in need.
Habitat of Pamlico County works in partnership with volunteers, donors and homeowners to build affordable housing for those in economic need and makes affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. It is a local, grass-roots organization formed according to the principles and methods of Habitat for Humanity International.
The average cost of house construction is $41,000 and has an appraised value of $75,000. Habitat partners with families in great need of affordable housing and makes the house possible at no profit and no interest. Volunteers work with the chosen families and other volunteers. The donated labor and the families’ “sweat equity” make it all work.
A Habitat subcommittee, Faith Partnerships, has been formed. The overall goal of this committee is to get each of the church communities involved with Habitat. Volunteers are needed in areas ranging from those with organizational and building skills, mentoring, feeding workers, and the store pick-up program.
For more information click on this link to the Habitat for Humanity website or contact them by phone at (252) 745-1106. The Habitat store is located at 13584 NC Hwy. 55, Alliance NC 28515
Pamlico County Fishes & Loaves Outreach (PCFLO)
Pamlico County Fishes and Loaves Outreach (PCFLO) is the cooperative effort of volunteers from Oriental United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church of Oriental, Pamlico Presbyterian Church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church and St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church in partnership with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina (FBCENC). Its purpose is to accumulate and efficiently distribute high-quality, nutritious food to those in need in Pamlico County, regardless of race, ethnicity or religious affiliation.
On the first Wednesday of each month, PCFLO accepts delivery of about 2 1/2 tons of perishable food products, at no cost, from FBCENC’s mobil food pantry truck. PCFLO currently has a pool of approximately thirty volunteers who assist with unloading and the subsequent repackaging and distribution of the items. Since September 2007, 921 families (2,289 individuals) have taken advantage of the wide variety of products. Any resident of Pamlico County is eligible. There is no “need” or identification check required as per FBCENC regulations. PCFLO also has a “referral only” pantry which distributes quality canned and packaged food, perishables and personal hygiene products. Opened in February 2008, PCFLO has been able to provide a generous week’s worth of balanced diet, nourishing food, once a month, to an average of 15 families on the second, third, and fourth Thursdays of every month. The pantry, housed in a large former storage area at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, contains two freezers and a refrigerator, given by generous patrons, as well as shelving and cabinets built by volunteers.
Partnership with FBCENC not only makes possible the monthly arrival of the mobil food pantry, but also provides PCFLO the opportunity to purchase food items at a nominal cost from FBCENC’s warehouse in Greenville as well as weekly donations of meat, bread and deli items from Food Lion in Grantsboro, NC. Additionally, non-perishables are donated on a regular basis by members of the partner congregations. Designated shoppers also judiciously purchase from county stores or wherever there are bargains to be found. PCFLO’s effort is based entirely on volunteers with 100% of monies received going toward the purchase of food and personal hygiene products. The US Census Bureau reports there are over 1,980 individuals in Pamlico County living at or below the poverty level. Many are the elderly or the working poor. PCFLO is not able to serve all of those individuals but is attempting to assist as many as possible.
For more information contact Alice Sontag at (252)249-7297, Eliz Valassis at (252) 249-2244, or Dick & Joan Lilley (252) 249-2690.
HOPE Clinic
HOPE Clinic provides free medical care for low income adults who lack health insurance and are not eligible for Medicaid or Medicare. The Clinic provides free medical care, medicines, lab work, and educational programs on Thursday evenings in the Pamlico County Health Department. Dental care is also available on a quarterly basis.
Volunteers and partnerships make HOPE possible. Four part-time staff, including an Executive Director, are the only paid employees. More than 150 volunteers contribute over 8,200 hours of labor each year. The Pamlico County Health Department provides office and clinic space. Many individuals, churches, businesses, and foundations provide direct financial support. Pharmaceutical companies provide patient medications valued at over $800,000 annually.
Volunteers are always needed to work in reception, the pharmacy, enroll people for free medication programs, record patient data, verify eligibility, and interpret for our Hispanic patients.
For more information click on this link to the HOPE Clinic website or call the HOPE Clinic Message Center at (252)745-5760, or call Nancy Huff at (252) 249-0732.
Hospice of Pamlico County and Hospice Thrift Shop
Hospice is a service that cares for terminally ill patients and their families. Usually, there are two full-time and one part-time employees. This has been a free service for Pamlico County since 1984. Some of the funding comes from the Hospice Thrift Shop run by volunteers. Volunteers are always needed, as are donations of clothing and household items in good condition.
Lifeline, which gives those living alone the security to have help if needed in an emergency also received financial help from Hospice. This program can also use volunteers.
Hospice is now Medicare certified. This will assist families with medical expenses. Hospice will, however, continue to assist families that do not qualify for Medicare. If you know of anyone needing Hospice care, please call the office. A doctor’s referral is required.
The Hospice office (located near Food Lion on Route 55) is open five days each week. Volunteers are needed to work with the patients and families, with the bereavement program, and to help with miscellaneous chores in the Hospice office. Training is required and provided.
For more information contact the Hospice office at (252) 745-5171 or the store at (252) 745-5033. You can also find more information on their website by clicking here.
Pamlico County Schools
There are many ways to volunteer your time to support the children and youth in the Pamlico County Schools. Volunteers can provide a richer experience to our youth by being a mentor, a counselor, or a tutor, or just lend a hand to a teacher. OUMC also provides clothing to children who otherwise would not have adequate clothing for school.
Feed the Kids Program
This program raises money to provide food to children in Pamlico County who otherwise would not have adequate nutrition over the weekend. This program needs your contributions of time and money to help in purchasing, packaging and distributing the backpacks filled with food. For more information contact Gary Leonard at (252) 249-0138.
Thanksgiving Dinner Boxes
Through contributions, we order Thanksgiving dinner boxes and distribute them to the needy people within the county. Volunteers are always welcome to help to purchase and distribute dinner boxes the week of Thanksgiving. For more information contact Leigh Price at (252) 249-1361 or Nancy Huff at (252) 249-0732.
Angel Tree
Through Angel Tree, OUMC provides Christmas gifts to needy families in Pamlico County. For more information contact Nancy Huff at (252) 249-0732.