OPPC Hiking Fellowship

Congrats to everyone on the 150th hike of the OPPC Hiking Fellowship! Here are some stats from our 150 hikes:

First hike: Cougar Mt History Tour on 4/27/2014 (3 mi, 400 ft elevation)

Most popular hike: Cougar Mt Xmas Tree Loop (hiked 6 times)

Most frequented mountain: Cougar Mt (hiked 17 times)

Longest hike: Rattlesnake Ridge Through Hike (10.75 mi)
Shortest hike: Snoqualmie Falls Lower Observation Deck (1.4 mi)
Highest elevation: Mailbox Peak (4,000 ft)

Total distance covered: 586 mi (Equivalent to the distance from the Canada border to the California border)
Total elevation gained: 107,064 ft (Equivalent to ascending seven Mt Rainiers)

Bigfoot encounters: 0 (While a group member has shared a grainy, low-res video, we believe extraordinary claims require extraordinary resolution.)

View all the hikes on Google Maps:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1WXFnCiETh71x_lkShOHicQMEZOMjqy8&usp=sharing

 Sunday, Sep. 24 hike & potluck:

Joe won first place as the best-dressed hiker.

Special thanks to Steve & Barb for the BBQ and for hosting a delightful post-hike potluck at their place, and to everyone for contributing delicious food and pleasant company.

Above all, heartfelt thanks to Neal for leading the fellowship.

Renewal Food Bank

Renewal Food Bank is seeking food donations.

Mostly in need of the following non-perishable items: 

Tuna (and other canned meats), peanut butter, grains (oatmeal, cereal, pasta, etc.), canned soup and canned or dry fruit, ramen noodles, and instant meals. 

Renewal is open (Monday 12-3, Tuesday 4-6:30, and Wednesday 10-1). They prefer people to deliver OUTSIDE of open hours, just before or after.

Fred Meyer or individuals can deliver Monday 9:00am - 11:00am and 1:00pm - 3:30pm

Tuesday 9:00am - 3:00pm and 5:00pm - 6:30pm

Wednesday 8:30am - 1:30pm

If you can't make a delivery yourself, you can order from Fred Meyer online or through InstaCart and have them deliver to Renewal, suggesting a time.

Address: 15022 Bel-Red Rd, Bellevue, WA 98007 

Note: their parking lot is very small.

July 17-August 7: Community Reach Opportunity - Good Start Back to School Bus

Don’t Miss the 2022

Good Start Back to School Bus!

Or you’ll miss your chance to help 3649 students from low-income families in the Bellevue School District – an 80% increase over last year – start the new school year with pride!

The Good Start Back to School bus will be

parked inside the Narthex at OPPC

from July 17 through August 7

OR you can deposit backpacks and *checks at the church office as well.

Request/Need Checks & New Backpacks Only

• STURDY BACKPACKS for all grade levels, no slings or wheels; padded backs for 4th-HS; large size for Middle and High School, with laptop compartments; solid colors (no red) for HS

• MONETARY DONATIONS to pay for customized kits of school supplies for all grade levels + additional backpacks.   Average cost of kits of supplies with backpacks is:

• Elementary: $18.44              
  Middle School:  $21.15
  High School: $18.70                          NO GIFT CARDS PLEASE! 

August 8 will be the LAST date for donating as we must deliver to Spiritridge Elementary School on August 9. There, backpacks will be packed with supplies.

*Checks for purchasing supplies kits and additional backpacks should be made out to Congregations for Kids/EISCC. These may be dropped at the Church or mailed to:
Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council
P.O. Box 662
Bellevue, WA 98009-0662

Online donations may be made on the website:

www.congregations4kids.org

Contact Carol Kinsman for more information.

February 2022: Community Reach Opportunities

The OPPC Mission Team has decided to partner with a new community member, Essentials First!

Essentials First has found that 1/3 of WA State is food insecure, and therefore, hygiene insecure. There are a variety of groups that work on the food insecurity, but no one does much about hygiene. So Essentials First provides hygiene bags to families that need them.

We are proposing that we have a Hygiene Drive. (Below is a list of needed items.) You, our dear congregation, would drop off your donations at the church on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, or bring them when we go back to in-person worship. You might even have the chance to help put the hygiene bags together, like we used to do for Salvation Army Snack Sacks!

Please pray for this group and participate in our Mission project.

Essentials First typically includes FULL sizes of the following items:

1. Shampoo with conditioner

2. Bar Soap (3-pack)

3. Sanitary Items for Women

4. Toothpaste

5. Toothbrush

6. Razor

7. Baby Wipes

8. Deodorant Men’s

9. Deodorant Women’s

10. Dishwashing Liquid

11. Laundry Detergent

If participants would like to add more quantities of a given item OR add items that are not mentioned in this list such as toilet paper etc. that is acceptable also.

Download flyer.

December 2021: More ways to serve

Please join us in supporting our partners at Bridge Receiving Center for their gift card drive. Thank you for your support!

Bridge Holiday Gift Card Drive

Bringing the Holidays to the children of Bridge Receiving Center! Donate a gift card/cash donation in any amount to provide clothing, toys, holiday meals and treats for every child staying at Bridge this holiday season.  Cards welcomed from Target, Amazon, Fred Meyer, Walmart, Visa, Mastercard, Amex.

Mail tangible cards/checks to: Attn: Bridge Receiving Center, PO Box 2930, Woodinville, WA  98072-2930 (or I can come pick them up!)  Email electronic cards to: holidays@bridgereceivingcenter.org. Or you can go on our website and make a donation towards this cause using the following link:  Donate — BRIDGE RECEIVING CENTER - use the word “Holidays” in the comment line.

Thank you for caring for the children of Bridge (a healing start for children entering foster care).

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December 28, 2021: Immediate needs for Eastside shelters

Meals and transportation for donated meals and winter gear/supplies are needed by Sophia Way and other area shelters during this severe weather.

Sophia Way: Contact Eric Ballentine (eric.b@sophiaway.org) if you can help with meals & transportation for donated meals.

Congregations for the Homeless needs:

Blankets, towels, coats (sizes L-3XL), warm clothing of any kind, gloves, htas, and hand warmers. People can drop it off at our 515 116th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004 location any time.

Nourishing Networks: Give Help

Snoqualmie Valley Shelter Services