Outreach Programs 
We offer our members the opportunity to serve the following local missions and social service agencies:

Bethlehem Center

The center is a food depository which accepts surplus food from the government and grocery stores. Volunteers sort and shelve the food. It is then distributed to local food pantries. Cash donations are accepted

Blood Donor Program

Wesley serves as a donor site once a year and we participate in Community United Methodist Church's program twice a year.

CROP Walk

Church World Service sponsors the CROP Walk which was started in Naperville in 1986 with 23 churches participating. In 1998, 42 people from Wesley contributed $2569 from 116 sponsors. 25% of the money collected stays in Naperville for Loaves and Fishes Pantry and Bethlehem Center. The rest is used to feed hungry people around the world. The Crop Walk is October 17 this year; our children will be participating in a mini-CROP Walk during the Sunday School hour on October 3rd to learn more & experience a taste of the CROP program. Duane Mevis is the Area Crop Walk Coordinator, 428-3942; Doug Seifried & Denise Deitz are our local coordinators this year.

Drop In Center for the Mentally Ill

The center was opened in Naperville 8 years ago with leadership from our church. The Alfred E. Rubin Community Center provides a place for 35-40 guests to enjoy a social evening on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. Persons being treated for a mental illness and able to live at home are welcome with or without family members.

Our support helps subsidize the programming of Western DuPage Special Recreation Association and DuPage County Health Department and the Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
For the past 4 1/2 years, a group of Wesley members have provided the meal and helped with activities on the third Wednesday of the month. The meal is planned, prepared and paid for by the volunteers. Cash donations are accepted. Volunteers are welcome. 

DuPage Family Shelter

The shelter provides a safe caring environment for victims of domestic violence. There are three homes in DuPage County one of which is in Naperville. Cash donations may be given through the church. Hotline Phone:469-5650.

DuPage Public Action To Deliver Shelter (PADS)

DuPage P.A.D.S. provides safe and hospitable shelter, support services and advocacy for homeless persons in collaboration with religious and community groups. On the 4th Sunday of every month, October through April, volunteers from Wesley prepare dinner & breakfast and staff the shelter at Community United Methodist Church. Cash donations also taken for food. The average attendance is 40 persons. We also staff the shelter from 6 pm to 8 am the next morning. Edward Hospital does the laundry.

Due to construction at Community UMC, the site will be unavailable for service this year.

Ecumenical Adult Day Care

EADC was founded in 1983 with leadership from Wesley. The day care center for adults needing supervision is open 5 days per week. There are three centers, two in Naperville and one in Warrenville. The Board of Directors consists of representatives from the supporting churches. We have contributed since it was opened and many of our members have served as volunteers.

Fish

This is a people-to-people volunteer service providing emergency transportation, clothing, food, furniture, and baby sitting for individuals and families in crisis situations. They also deliver Meals on Wheels. For additional information, call 357-0330.

Food Coop

Wesley Buying Coop was organized in 1975 by the Church and Society Work Area. It was incorporated as a non-profit organization with membership open to all persons living in the Naperville area.

The objective of the Coop is to assist its members to cooperatively work together to purchase quality food stuffs at reasonable prices (cost plus state tax and membership approved mark-up) and to meet community needs.
Membership is limited to 40 because of space. Monthly buys on every 4th Tuesday are handled in Fellowship Hall. There are now 22 members. 

Food Pantries

For many years Wesley, Community and Grace United Methodist churches have supported three pantries with non-perishable food donations on the first Sunday of each month. We take turns delivering food, picking it up from all three churches. Wesley takes the food to Interfaith Pantry at Hesed House in Aurora, Community to the Common Pantry in Chicago and Grace to Loaves & Fishes in Naperville. Cash gifts are also received from Wesley members and friends. Unless designated for a specific pantry, cash gifts are divided three ways.
Since 1991, when Loaves and Fishes became a Community Pantry serving Naperville families, Wesley has provided volunteers on the first Tuesday of each month to distribute food. Volunteers also stock shelves, accept donations on Sunday and work in the office. Prior to 1991, it was a small pantry operated by St. Raphael Church. We assisted in the reorganization and have a representative on the board.

Habitat for Humanity

Cash donations are accepted through the church. Some of our members have been active in the organization and in the actual building of the houses in Aurora and Chicago.

Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry

See Food Pantries.

Hesed House

As an ecumenical ministry to the very poor in Aurora, Hesed House strives to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, and give people hope through programs such as a soup kitchen, food pantry, clothes closet, PADS and a drop-in center. Wesley contributes a $600 a year to this project.

Seasonal articles of clothing may be taken to Hesed House at any time. Soap, toothpaste, combs, toothbrushes, lotion, cough medicine, aspirin, new underwear, socks, etc. are always welcome.

Naperville Community Outreach

This program provides counseling for families and individuals, emergency short-term foster homes, and shelter for boys. Donations may be made through the church.

PADS

See DuPage Public Action to Deliver Shelter.

Pride Parade

This annual parade is held in the city of Chicago usually on the last sunday of June. For more details see the Chicago Pride Calendar.

Wayside Cross Rescue Mission

Twice a year, fall and spring, we collect clothing for Wayside Cross in Aurora.
 

Time, Talent and Financial Support

These projects require many volunteers for a great variety of services. Training is available for mental health volunteers from the DuPage County Health Department.

You are needed if you can help. Money is also needed to carry out all these programs. Please consider which of these programs you might support by either your time, talent or financial assistance. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 355-1834.