Share the Plate (Sunday offering)
UUCA’s Share the Plate is a key element of our social justice funding program. Each year, members, and friends of UUCA donate thousands of dollars to our Sunday morning worship service offerings. These funds are then shared with our community partners and used to support causes that allow this congregation to put our values and faith into action.
2023-2024 Share the Plate Recipients
AUGUST: Path Forward – Bagged Meal Program
PathForward (formerly A-SPAN) strives to transform lives by delivering housing solutions and pathways to stability. UUCA volunteers gather monthly to bag meals for people experiencing homelessness. In recent years volunteer interest in this program at UUCA has grown significantly. In 2022-2023 the program expanded to twice a month, doubling the number of meals donated by the UUCA community.
SEPTEMBER: Alianzas Scholarship
With UUCA’s help, this scholarship program has helped support schooling for 60
impoverished Guatemalan middle- and high-school students. Please get in touch with Ann McKnight (amcknight4646@gmail.com) to learn more about their good work.
OCTOBER: ECO Action Arlington
EcoAction Arlington protects and enhances the natural environment in Arlington County. They educate, advocate, and act to create a sustainable community by improving our natural environment, encouraging environmentally friendly behaviors, ensuring environmental justice, and addressing the climate crisis.” UUCA members can join activities such as tree planting, invasive plant removal, and education on building efficiency and the reduction of carbon footprints in our parks.
October 5th Sunday is United Nations Sunday
UUCA is part of a global network that partners with the UN to support and advocate for international human rights, peace, and climate justice. A key part of this work is promoting the inherent worth and dignity of all people and our planet.
NOVEMBER: AFAC
AFAC is Arlington’s primary food support provider to low-income individuals and
families. Through centers around the county, it provides food staples and
protein products, to those in need. UUCA volunteers help distribute food to
AFAC clients on a bi-monthly basis, typically serving anywhere from 100 to 200
Arlington families. They also assist with other activities, including food drives,
sorting donations, and direct distribution. Please contact Burke Kappler for
more information (burke.kappler@gmail.com).
DECEMBER: UUCA Social Justice Fund
The UUCA-SJF supports congregational events and projects that focus on UUCA’s members actively working to Make The World A Better Place.
2024
JANUARY: UUCA Youth Group
Our Youth Group democratically selects social justice activities to support. They
also hope to resume their annual Spring Break trip. Both the trip and the
activities need adult participants and helpers. Please contact LeeAnn Williams,
to volunteer or to get more information (LWilliams@uucava.org).
FEBRUARY: LFFP
LFFP has partnered with UUCA for more than 20 years. It sponsors Peace Camps
and runs peace-building programs throughout the area. Adults participate in the
Peace Academy and parent/teacher workshops. Youth attend in-school and
after-school programming and peace camps. UUCA members are needed to
help. Please contact Mollie Jewell (molliejewell2@gmail.com) to volunteer by
working with the program, joining a service project, or mentoring children.
MARCH: OPEN (UUCA Annual Campaign)
APRIL: Alianzas Accompaniment
Alianzas’ Accompaniment Program primarily supports the international
accompaniment program of the Network in Solidarity with the People of
Guatemala (NISGUA). In 2024 UUCA members may have the opportunity to travel to Guatemala. Contact Marcia Trick for additional information (marciatrick@gmail.com).
MAY: ALIVE!
ALIVE! serves the Alexandria community by offering eviction prevention, food distribution, financial support, household items, and transitional assistance. UUCA volunteers assist in many ways, including the food distribution effort. Their contact is Ann Marie Hay (annmariehay@gmail.com).
JUNE: Equality, VA
Equality UUCA (the LGBTQ+ advocacy group for UUCA) works in partnership with Equality Virginia. A non-partisan group, it advocates in the Virginia legislature for LGBTQ+ issues. Please contact Bruce Rieder (uuca.equality@gmail.com) for more information.
PLEASE NOTE: Groups will receive funds from 4 Sundays in their assigned month. 5th Sunday collections (July, December, March and June) will be go to the UUCA SJ Fund for special appeals, emergency relief, and/or to cover expenses of building use for SJ & Interfaith groups that we support in our wider community.
2023 STP Task Force: Rachel Burnett, Niharika Joe & Rev. CTC