Ways to serve during this difficult time. We encourage you to begin with the most simple things, like showing kindness and grace to others as fears increase for some and times are stressful. Think about the most vulnerable who may need help. Even while following social distancing, consider ways you can help and encourage others, even with a simple note or phone call to show that someone is thinking of them. 


Below are a few ways you can help with organizations in our community, if you are able. We'll share more ideas as things continue to unfold. Be safe and remember that serving does matter! 

The Wood County Committee on Aging needs volunteers to assist in delivering hot meals to those in the Walbridge/Lake Township area each weekday. Volunteers must be able to drive. Due to COVID restrictions you need to be under the age of 70 for now. Clients have something outside their door for the delivery volunteer to place the meal on, ring/knock on door, step back for the client to come to the door or otherwise signal they are okay (our wellness check). This is a great idea for those able to serve during the lunch time or even a group to team up together to commit to each day of the week with different people. If interested or you would like more information, contact Christine at the Northeast Area Senior Center in Walbridge (567.249.4921) or Jackie Metz, Volunteer Coordinator, in Bowling Green (1.800.367.4935) Monday through Friday, 10:00am – 2:00pm, or email (jcmetz@wccoa.net).


SKLD Perrysburg  ( A Nursing Care Facility at 795 and Oregon Rd )

Residents at care facilities are especially lonely during this difficult time, missing a lot of their normal activities and visits that they would get. Here are a couple of ideas for kids and adults alike to show these residents some love!


1. Write letters or cards. These cards and such could include things like; “Get Well, Stay Strong!, We’re in this together!, Hope Your Well, Thinking of you, etc...  You could even include a return address, some of the residents would love to correspond.


2. Make posters that the residents can display in rooms. These would mean a lot to them and brighten up their day!


28546 Starbright Boulevard Perrysburg, Ohio  43551

Drop off time is 8:30-5:00pm OR mail to the address above.

Employees of the facility will distribute everything. How cool is that?



211 United Way

Help deliver food to TPS kids

LEARN MORE HERE



Northeast Area Senior Center

Wood County Committee on Aging

Help deliver meals to seniors living in Wood County

CONTACT: Christine Burger - Site Manager

(567)249-4921

cburger@wccoa.net

www.wccoa.net



If you have questions, contact Pastor Tom Caldwell at tcaldwell@mainstreetlife.org or 419.838.7600 x131.

Serving in the community

East Toledo Family Center 

(As Needed) 

In the community, for the community; strengthening one life at a time.


Mission: For a Century ... The East Toledo Family Center has served the families of East Toledo. It began in 1901 as the Neighborhood Association but soon became fondly known in the community as simply the “Neighborhood House.” Perhaps the oldest such community organization in this area, it provided aid to the many immigrant families who arrived in the early 1900’s, and survived the dark years of the Depression in the 1930’s when its services were needed all the more. ETFC continued to grow during the post-World War 2 boom years until a new building was needed in the early 1970’s. It continues to serve more people and provide more programs than at any other time in its long history.


Address: 1020 Varland Ave., Toledo, OH 43605


Current Needs:

  • Teams and individuals to help with cleanup of streets & neighborhoods
  • See the ETFC Meal team that helps with a free dinner on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 5:00 pm

Qualifications: Family Friendly Serving Opportunities


ETFC Contact: Tracy Garufos  //   tracyg@etfc.org

419.691.1429

Enpuzzlement

(Anytime, Call for times and days)

Mission: Enpuzzlement is a non-profit organization that is completely private and family run. We are a resource warehouse located in NW Ohio that serves not only our local area but areas all over the country. The idea of EnPuzzlement started in 2009, when our group of family and friends noticed that there was a missing connection between donations from corporate America and small local communities serving one another. Many large companies have the ability to donate significant quantities of resources, but small organizations do not have the ability to receive them or even access them.

 

Address: 4400 Moline Martin Rd, Millbury, OH. 43447 


Current Needs: 

  • Stocking, Shelving, Packing & Delivering

Qualifications: Family Friendly Serving Opportunities


Enpuzzlement Contact: Michelle Marks  //  419.350.6886

(shellee14@bex.net)

Food Pantry: St. John’s Lutheran Church

(3rd Friday and Saturday)

Mission: Serving food to over 130 local families on a monthly basis


Address: U.S. 20 & Route 163, Stony Ridge, OH 43551


Current Needs:

  • Shop/share with Clients: Every 3rd Saturday, Fridays from 7:30am – 12:30pm. Volunteers needed to help clients with shopping for groceries, stocking shelves, helping clients to their cars, etc.
  • Food Bank Pickup: Anyone with a truck or van to help pick up food orders at various times throughout the month, as little or as often as your time allows. 
  • Bread Pick Up: Anyone with a truck or van to pick up bread on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at Tasty Cake (Wonder Bread) Woodville Road, Northwood as your time allows.
  • 3rd Saturday Check-in: Minimal computer skills

Qualifications: Family Friendly Serving Opportunities


Ministry Contact: 

419.837.5115 (Leave a message for Jerri)

Toledo Gospel Rescue Mission

(Anytime)

Mission: To minister to the spiritual and physical needs of the homeless and low income throughout northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. TGRM serves men, women, and children.


Address: Four Locations:

Rebekah’s Haven, 122 20th St., Toledo 43604

Mission Mall, 117 W. Woodruff, Toledo 43604

Toledo Gospel Rescue Mission, 1917 Jefferson St., Toledo 43604

Outreach Center, 670 Phillips Ave., Toledo 43612


Current Needs:

  • Painting at the Mission Mall, Mission, Outreach Center
  • Cleaning inside all locations
  • Yard work all locations weather permitting
  • Serve meals
  • Provide meals
  • Mentors (reading)
  • Help with Weenie Wagon
  • Help with newsletter

Qualifications: Family Friendly Serving Opportunities


Ministry Contact: 

Tom Clapsaddle   //   419.277.9064

tomtgrm@gmail.com

TGRM Office: 419.241.6579

East Broadway Elementary

(During the school year)

Grades K - 8


Address: 1755 East Broadway St. Toledo, OH 43605


Current Needs:

  • Help with breakfast time in cafeteria
  • Help with Mentoring one on one basis with reading & math facts
  • Help with Office needs
  • After school with the Boys & Girls Club: Helping with homework, hanging out and having fun. Any time between 3:00 - 7:00pm.

Qualifications: Love kids and have a background check


Special Instructions: Fill out proper application for school help and background check or Boys and Girls Club program at the Serve Counter.


School Contact: 

Craig Otterson, Principal  //  419.671.7200 

cotterso@tps.org


Boys and Girls Club: 

Kelly 419.693.1961 or Kely@bgctoledo.org

Lake Elementary
(During the school year)

Grades K – 4


Address: 28150 Lemoyne Rd, Millbury, OH 43447


Current Needs:

  • Provide a listening ear, extra help reading, practice with spelling words, math facts and lots of encouragement!
  • Be a regular volunteer to do things for teachers such as cut, laminate and help with create centers.
  • Recess game helper/buddy
  • Glider Backpack Program: Helping with sorting, setting up & delivering the backpacks to children with food for the weekend.

 

Qualifications: Fingerprinted for background check if wanting to serve during school programs. Love kids and want to be a hero!


Special Instructions: Fill out proper application for school help and background check at the Serve Counter.


School Contact: 

Mandy Wilburn, Principal  //   419.661.6680

mwilburn@lakeschools.org

3rd Thursday
(3rd Thursday of month)

Mission: To go out and serve those in need of a hand-up with the distribution of hygiene items, food, clothing and warm conversation. 


Location: 

NOVEMBER - FEBRUARY

St. Paul’s Community Center 230 13th Street, Toledo

3pm-5:30pm

 

MARCH - OCTOBER

The corner of Madison & 18th streets, across from the                   Promedica's Market on the Green, Toledo
4pm-6pm


Current Needs:

Team members to help with handing out items & starting conversations

Guitar Player

Donations for purchase of water, hygiene products & food


Qualifications: Willing to serve and talk with people you don't know.


Contact: 

Tom Caldwell  //  419.838.7600 ext. 131

tcaldwell@mainstreetlife.org

Giving Center  
(Weekly)

Mission: To provide clothing for those less fortunate in the East Toledo area.  We are open each Wednesday during the school year from 5-7 pm.  We have a summer schedule when school is not in session.  


Address: East Broadway Elementary


Current Needs:

Team members to help sorting and racking

Team Members to help shoppers shop and have conversations

Donations of clothing into our white bins at the Church


Qualifications: Willing to talk to people you don't know, helping them find clothing. Also willing to help to help sort and/or stock donations.


Contact: 

Tom Caldwell  //  419.838.7600 ext. 131

tcaldwell@mainstreetlife.org

East Toledo Family Center
Free Meal Team
(1st &  3rd Wednesday / 4:30 - 6:00pm)

Mission: This ministry of Mainstreet serves a free nutritious and delicious meal at the East Toledo Family Center. It happens in the center’s gym every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. This free meal is open to anyone. They begin setting up at 4:30pm and serve from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. The hope is to not only provide a meal but possibly prayer and conversation with those that join us. 


Address: 1020 Varland Ave., Toledo, OH 43605             


Current Needs:

  • Team members to prepare and serve the meal
  • Team members that are relational and willing to talk and possibly pray with those that join us.
  • Donations for purchases of meal supplies

Qualifications: Willing to help serve and talk with people you don't know. 


Contact: 

Tom Caldwell  //  419.838.7600 ext. 131

tcaldwell@mainstreetlife.org

Short Term Mission Opportunities

Jamaica (January)

Each year we have a team that serve the Jamaica Church and Conference area with construction, hygiene training, Children’s Bible Class and Community Outreach.

 

Laurel Mission Kentucky (April)

Each year we have a team that serve the Laurel Mission Camp and Church with cleaning, preparing for Summer camps, Food Pantry and Clothing Store.


Contact: 

Tom Caldwell  //  419.838.7600 ext. 131

tcaldwell@mainstreetlife.org

Serving at Mainstreet

There are lots of ways to get involved in ministry at Mainstreet. Here is a list of categories with some brief explanations to help you explore options that might fit your interests, talents or experience. These categories apply to many different ministries from kids to adults, Sunday mornings to special events.  For more info on any of the following you can click HERE.  

 

Administration (As needed)

Organize, coordinate, help with details, enter data

 

Children/ Students (Sundays)

Hold babies, play with toddlers, interact with grade schoolers, hangout with or mentor teens

 

Facility Needs (Anytime)

Snow Removal (Sundays), Monday AM cleaning crew, grounds-keeping

 

Funeral Dinner Team  (As needed)

Preparing and serving meals for families after the funeral services.  Also need people to prepare desserts.

 

Green Bag Collection  (Monthly)

Chance for the Church to leave the walls and serve corporately in multiple ways.

 

Grouplife (Anytime)

Grouplife leaders, facilitators, mentors

 

Hospitality (Sundays and Special Events)

Hosts, ushers, coffee bar attendants, Information Center attendants, parking lot attendants

 

Music/ Drama (Sundays)

Singers, instrumentalists, actors, writers, researchers, directors

 

Serving Saturday  (Special Event)

Chance for the Church to leave the walls and serve corporately in multiple ways.  Watch for promotion when we have a Serving Saturday scheduled to signup and serve!


Tech/ Video (Sundays)

Operate camera, audio, lighting board; video shooters, editors, directors

 

Visitation Team (Anytime)

Love, care, pray and visit our elderly in nursing homes and shut in their homes.


The Giving Center

The Giving Center

East Broadway Elementary School

1755 E. Broadway, Toledo, OH

The Giving Center (our free clothing store ministry that offers good, quality clothing free of charge) is designed to serve everybody. We believe anyone who is in need of help, a little or a lot, regardless of the reason, can come and share in this opportunity. For more information, contact Pastor Tom at tcaldwell@mainstreetlife.org or 419.838.7600 x131.


Giving Center is currently closed due to COVID-19


DONATE TO THE GIVING CENTER

All donations of clothing and shoes can go in the collection bins located in the parking lot. Just a friendly reminder to place all your donations in bags prior to dropping in the bins. This keeps the clothing dry and makes it easier for unloading.