People who must flee their homes quickly often do not have time to pack essential items. Health kits can help refugees maintain personal hygiene while living in exile. Items may also contribute to a new start for those who can return home. We will need the following for each health kit:

• Dark colored hand towels and washcloths
• Bars of soap
• Adult size tooth brushes
• Nail clippers with file
• Band-aids
• Sturdy combs

We will collect through July and assemble them Sunday, August 15 during fellowship times. Contact the church at  310-452-1116  or email mtoliveoffice@earthlink.net.

Shepherd Fund - We have been seeing an increase of people in need of help with basic necessities and food. Please give to the Shepherd Fund: Pastor’s discretionary fund to help the needy.

Donations for OPCC Cultivate a habit of caring. Donate in support of the work of OPCC, the network of shelters and services for low-income and homeless persons in Santa Monica. Donations needed: Non-perishable food, toiletries, bedding, and warm clothing for adults. Bring your contributions to Mt. Olive for delivery to OPCC.

Cooking for SAMOSHEL Several times a year we prepare homecooked meals and serve them at OPCC’s SAMOSHEL, the largest homeless shelter in Santa Monica. Check our website or with the church office (310.452.1116) for dates.

Supporting the Westside Food Bank The Westside Food Bank is the primary provider of food to local foodbanks. We support the Westside Food Bank with a frozen turkey drive the Sunday before Thanksgiving, canned food drives, and fundraising at different times during the year.

Samaritan Sewers Make Quilts for the World On the 1st, 4th and 5th Thursdays of the month, from 9:30a.m-12noon, a faithful group of sewers gather to make quilts that are sent around the world through Lutheran World Relief to provide warmth and comfort to displaced persons and refugees in Africa, central Asia and other areas of need. All are welcome—we’ll teach you to quilt! Come and lend a hand to send a sign of God’s love around the globe.

Heifer International Fights Hunger Each December, Mt. Olive organizes a fund drive in support of Heifer International. Since it’s founding in 1944, Heifer International has helped millions of people in more than 125 countries to become self-reliant for food and income, by providing more than 25 different types of animals and training in environmentally-sound farm management and community development. Everyone who receives a gift of an animal from Heifer Int. agrees to pass on the gift of livestock and learning to others in need. Rooted in the Christian tradition, Heifer Int. works with people of all faiths to end hunger and poverty. If you need further information or you would also like to match donated funds, please contact Cristine Ackel 310-452-1116.