$300 for Glasses

One of the quiet but meaningful ways our church lives out its faith is by setting aside a portion of our budget to support people in our local community. These funds allow us to respond when practical needs arise; often needs that might otherwise go unmet. Because we are connected to our wider community through relationships and partnerships, we are able to see where help is needed and step in when we can. Sometimes the assistance is large and complex. Other times, it’s something simple but life-changing.

Recently, we were able to help a woman in her 30’s who lives alone on a fixed income and faces multiple health challenges. Her benefits only covered part of the cost for a new pair of glasses, leaving her short. Through our outreach fund, we contributed $300 to cover the difference.

Clear vision is more than a convenience; it’s essential for independence and confidence. Small acts of support like this restore dignity and ease daily burdens. We’re grateful to be part of a congregation that sees needs around us and responds with compassion.

$500 in Grocery Gift Cards to Support a Local Family

Our outreach ministry exists to respond to real, immediate needs in our community with care, discretion, and compassion. When situations arise that can’t wait for long-term solutions, we’re able to step in thanks to funds that have been prayerfully set aside for this purpose.

Recently, outreach funds were used to provide $500 in grocery gift cards to support a local family with five children who were facing sudden financial hardship. With a recent job loss and limited access to other assistance in the short term, the family needed help meeting a basic and urgent need: putting food on the table. While community partners and schools are doing what they can, limited resources mean gaps still exist. This support helped bridge that gap during a critical time.

We’re grateful to be able to offer practical help like this, quietly, respectfully, and without conditions. Thank you to our congregation for making our outreach ministry possible through your generosity and prayers. Your support allows us to respond with love when it matters most. 💛

$16,000 Deployed to Serve Our Community

Your Generosity at Work: $16,000 Deployed to Serve Our Community

Because of your generosity through our Christmas fundraiser, we were able to deploy $16,000 to Royal City Mission, directly impacting lives in our city. When you give to our church, your generosity doesn’t sit still… it moves outward, meeting real needs with real care.

These funds are supporting critical staffing hours for Royal City Mission’s Drop-In and Meal Programs, creating safe, welcoming spaces where people can find connection, dignity, and belonging. Through warm meals, meaningful conversations, and consistent presence, individuals are reminded they are seen, valued, and not alone.

Your giving also helped put two people through the Clean Streets program, a low-barrier work-readiness initiative that provides meaningful employment, life skills, and a living wage. As participants help care for downtown Guelph, they build confidence, stability, and hope for long-term work; benefiting both their own lives and our wider community.

Thank you for being a church that gives generously and loves practically. Together, we are helping restore dignity, build connection, and bring hope where it’s needed most.

Seeing Needs, Sharing Hope

Recently, we were made aware of a woman who lost nearly all her belongings in a residential fire just after Christmas. She was briefly hospitalized for smoke inhalation and minor burns and is now staying temporarily with a friend. While she has shelter and employment, she is facing the overwhelming task of replacing basic necessities like clothing, household items, and transportation.

Through our outreach fund, we were able to give $500 to help ease some of the immediate financial pressure and reduce stress as she begins to rebuild after significant loss.

We share this story to remind one another why generosity matters. When you stay attentive to the needs around you at work, in your neighbourhoods, and through your relationships, you help us live out compassion in practical ways.

Thank you for being a church that sees, responds, and cares.

$10,000 to the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition

Thanks to the generosity of our church family, we were able to contribute $10,000 to the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition, helping support food cupboard workers in five neighbourhoods. With rising demand and a transition to paid roles, our gift helped cover immediate needs. Other people and organizations stepped into help ultimately raising $40,000 for the community.

This is a great reminder that when we give together, our impact grows, and lives in our city are changed for the better.

Clothing Support for a Child in the Two Rivers Neighbourhood

We’re thankful for the opportunity to offer practical care to a child connected with the Two Rivers Neighbourhood Group. With limited clothing and low access to laundry, this young person was in real need of essentials. We provided $150 in new clothing, chosen specifically to meet their unique sensitivities to fabrics and styles. By handling the shopping ourselves, we were able to save the family significant time and stress while ensuring the child received items that truly work for them.

Thank you for making compassionate, personalized support like this possible. Your generosity continues to meet real needs in our community.

Supporting the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition

This month, as a church we were able to give a $2,000 donation to the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition (GNSC), an organization that serves neighbourhoods across our entire city. The GNSC supports food access programs, youth initiatives, community gatherings, and essential services that strengthen local well-being. Our gift has been directed “where most needed at the end of the year,” helping them meet urgent needs and keep key programs running strong. Thank you for your faithful generosity. Together, we’re sharing God’s love with our Guelph neighbours in practical and meaningful ways. Check back next week for another outreach highlight!

Adopt-A-Family Christmas Hampers

This Christmas, our church family was able to share hope with local families in need. Thanks to your generosity, we were able purchase $800 worth of Christmas gifts and grocery cards for one family through our Adopt-A-Family hamper program.

In addition, another $1,500 has been made available to prepare additional hampers as needs arise, bringing the total impact to up to $2,300 in Christmas support for our community.

These hampers are more than gifts; they are reminders that our neighbours are seen, supported, and loved.

Coats for the Cold

As temperatures began to drop, our church family stepped up in a beautiful way. Over the past two Sundays, we collected coats, hats, gloves, and other winter essentials for the Parkwood Gardens Neighbourhood Group (PGNG) an organization that supports families right here in our local community.

Thanks to your generosity, we delivered a large collection of warm winter wear to PGNG over the past two weeks. These items will go directly to individuals and families who need them most as the cold weather sets in.

Your giving keeps our neighbours warm, literally.
Thank you for being a church that sees a need and responds with love, compassion, and practical care.

Showing God's Love in Action

At Grace, our faith calls us to reach beyond our walls and support those in our community who need a helping hand. Recently, we had the opportunity to assist a local daycare worker whose cancer has returned. She is currently unable to be at work, leaving a gap in her income and in the lives of the children she cares for so lovingly.

Through the generosity of our church family, we contributed $900 to cover three months of her essential medications, bridging the gap between her insurance coverage and the cost of treatment. This support allows her to focus on healing, while reminding her that she is not alone and that her care for others is deeply valued.

Outreach often starts when someone notices a need, and when we come together, even small acts of love can make a powerful difference.

Bringing Holiday Hope

This Christmas, our Outreach Team is excited to support families in need with gifts, grocery cards, and Adopt-a-Family hampers. So far, $800 has helped one family, and an additional $1,500 is available to provide more hampers as needed, totaling up to $2,300 in holiday support.

We are grateful for the generosity of our church family, whose kindness helps bring hope and joy to those facing challenging times.

Sharing Christmas Joy

This Christmas, our Outreach Team was able to support a brave grandmother raising her two grandsons after they were abandoned. Thanks to the generosity of our church family, we provided $500 in Walmart gift cards to help with holiday gifts for the boys.

It’s a small gesture, but one that reminds us how much a caring community can brighten lives.

Providing Meals During a Difficult Season

This month, our Just Right team was able to support a couple in our wider church community who are walking through a challenging time. One of them recently underwent unexpected spinal surgery, and recovery has made daily tasks, especially meal preparation, extra difficult.

To help lighten the load, we provided $500 to Lady Sara’s Bounty for the delivery of gluten-free meals. This practical support is especially meaningful as the Christmas season is a tender time for this family due to a past loss.

They expressed deep gratitude for the care and compassion shown by our church community.

Supporting New Moms in Need

In September, our Just Right team was able to come alongside two new moms connected with PGNG who needed specialized formula for their newborns. We provided two $300 Walmart gift cards to help with these essential purchases.

Thanks to Jen S on the Just Right Team, who also secured samples and coupons, this support will stretch even further for these families.

Your generosity continues to make a real difference for parents caring for their little ones.

Helping a Family Settle Into a New Home

This month, our Just Right team was able to support a woman and her two children as they moved from a shelter into a new apartment. The transition happened quickly, but thanks to our outreach resources, we were able to respond just as quickly.

Beds were generously donated, and we provided a $500 Walmart gift card to help the family purchase bedding and other essential household items.

Thank you for enabling us to meet urgent needs with care and dignity.

Christmas Care Bags for the Community

Our Just Right team is partnering with Chalmers this season to help provide Christmas care bags filled with food, toiletries, warm clothing, and other essentials. In response to their request, we’re allocating up to $5,000 to purchase the items needed.

Last year, Chalmers distributed about 800 bags to clients in their food program, and we’re grateful to support this meaningful work again. Tina Clark is gathering a team to shop for, pack, and deliver the bags on November 29, with more details to come. Stay tuned for the announcements!

Thank you for making this kind of generous community care possible.

Supporting a Young Newcomer Family

Recently, our Just Right outreach team was able to support a young family originally from Syria who are working hard to make ends meet. With two small children, high rent, and a demanding work schedule that leaves little family time, they’ve been relying on a local food bank to get by.

Thanks to your generosity, we were able to provide $500 in Walmart gift cards to help with groceries and essentials. Your giving continues to bring practical hope to families who need it most.

Supporting Parents In A Challenging Season

Recently, we were able to support new parents of preemie twins facing a difficult time. While one baby required extra care at McMaster, the other was able to come home, leaving the family navigating the challenge of being in two places at once, especially for mom.

We provided $500 in gas and grocery cards to help ease some of the practical burdens and offer a small measure of relief. It’s a privilege to come alongside families in moments of need.

Stepping In To Meet An Unexpected Need

Recently, Royal City Mission faced an urgent situation: their fire panel had become unsafe and was beeping continuously, creating both a safety concern and an unexpected maintenance expense. On the very same day, Rebecca from our outreach team was meeting with Kevin Coghill (Pastor at RCM) to discuss how Grace Community Church could better support Royal City Mission.

Through Just Right, we were able to provide $5,989 to replace the fire panel, helping address the issue quickly and safely. We’re so grateful to be in a position to respond in such a timely way, and we celebrate the opportunity to support our community partners when they need it most.

Coming Together to Support Our Community

Recently, our Grace Community Church family came together to support Parkwood Gardens Neighbourhood Group (PGNG) and their work in caring for neighbours in need. Through a generous collection, we were able to provide cooking oil, pasta sauce, and feminine hygiene products; the top three items most needed by the PGNG food cupboard.

It’s inspiring to see how small contributions from many hearts can make a big difference. Together, we’re helping ensure that families in our community have access to essential items and feel cared for during challenging times.