Local Outreach Partners and Programs
Collage
About: Collage is a non-profit organization that offers complimentary, community-funded medical services and counseling. Their focus is bringing hope and healing into unplanned pregnancies, STD’s, and providing care for those who have had an abortion in the past. They are located in Kearney, Grand Island and expanding in Columbus. Here is a helpful video to explain who they are - “Who We Are” Video
Ways to get Involved:
1) Donate - They are always looking for donors to continue to offer their services free of charge. https://give.cornerstone.cc/collagecenter/
2) Item Donation - diapers, wipes, kleenex, water bottles, etc… there is a wish list of items here - https://www.collagecenter.com/about-us#GettingInvolved
3) Volunteer - you must come into an office and fill out an application to serve. If there is a good fit they will contact you.
Learn More: https://www.collagecenter.com/
Local Outreach Team Contact Person: Alycia Packer
Christ In Youth (CIY)
About: Christ In Youth (CIY) is a national ministry focused on calling youth to Christ and into a life of Kingdom Work through His Church. They partner with the Local Church to host large youth events in several locations across the country.
As a church each year we send our students to CIY Super Start, CIY Move, and CIY Mix. We have also given in support of this ministry for many years.
Ways to get Involved:
1) Donate - https://ciy.com/get-involved
2) Serve as a youth volunteer - fill out this form and check the Student Ministry box if you would like to get involved.
Learn More: https://ciy.com/
Local Outreach Team Contact Person: Rachel Lang
Central Nebraska Community Action Partnership (CNCAP)
About: Central NE Community Action Agency (CNCAP) works to alleviate poverty conditions and enhance economic, education, health, housing and nutrition opportunities for individuals, families and communities in Central Nebraska. We partner with CNCAP because the staff are trained in vetting individuals/families that are in need and connecting them with resources that will benefit them.
Ways to get Involved:
1) Volunteer - The Commodity Program works with elderly 60 years and older or those families that are 130% of Federal poverty. They hand out canned items, pasta, rice, dry beans and peanut butter. They need volunteers to assist with these commodity clinics. On non-clinic days volunteers can assist with packaging commodity boxes & organizing/cleaning the warehouse. Volunteers can also assist with delivering commodity boxes. Commodity clinics are 5 days each month, 11am – 12:30pm & 1pm – 3pm – can also volunteer on non-clinic days Mon – Thurs anytime between 8am-5pm. They would be so grateful for any volunteers. They need help making boxes, and to help make sure the clinic’s run smooth as they serve approximately 600 individuals a month.
2) Donate Items - they could benefit from donated hygiene products, household cleaning supplies, and/or toiletries. The homeless and near-homeless are living in crisis mode and these are the last things they can afford while attempting to find housing or remain housed.
Learn More: https://centralnebraskacap.com/
Local Outreach Team Contact Person: Bre Crow
Christian Student Fellowship (CSF)
About: Christian Student Fellowship (CSF) is a non-denominational campus ministry based in Nebraska and South Dakota. Their focus is on unleashing a generation of disciples on their campus, and into every sphere of society around the globe. Third City has supported this organization for many years as they help serve many of our students as they transition out of high school into college ministry. Many of our church staff members have served with CSF or been impacted directly by their ministry. Currently, two Third City members are serving on staff - Heidi Foland and Jess Thinal.
Ways to get Involved:
1) Pray - our college campuses are a tough environment to do ministry right now. Pray for the leadership and staff serving in this context. Pray for their partner campuses and the students they minister to.
2) Donate - consider joining our church in supporting this worthy ministry https://www.csfunleashed.com/donatecsfunleashed
Reach out to Heidi or Jess individually by clicking on their names if you are interested in supporting them specifically.
Learn More: https://www.csfunleashed.com/
Local Outreach Team Contact Person: Derrick Meier
Grace Cancer Foundation
About: GRACE Cancer Foundation helps cancer patients that are currently going through treatment in Grand Island or that have to travel for treatment and live within 40 miles of Grand Island. Patients are able to receive a multitude of help and referrals for assistance through the foundation. Unfortunately, cancer is a universal disease that has affected many of our church families. With the amount of support that is given to cancer patients and families we can refer members and attenders of TCCC to receive assistance through this organization.
Ways to get Involved:
1) Volunteer - GRACE has several events throughout the year that rely on volunteer support. More info is available under Events on their website below but a few available options where volunteers are needed are: GRACE Gala, Race for GRACE, Greens for GRACE, and Butterfly Releases. They also can use volunteers for Packing Care Bags. Sign up to volunteer at https://www.gracefoundationgi.org/volunteer
2) Donate - GRACE is a non-profit and relies on community support. Attend and event and consider contributing to this worthy cause in our community.
Learn More: https://www.gracefoundationgi.org/
Local Outreach Team Contact Person: Alycia Packer
Hope Harbor
About: Hope Harbor is a Grand Island based homeless support organization. Their mission is “Help and hope for a life of self-sufficiency.” Hope Harbor accomplishes this mission by providing services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and near homelessness. We help meet the need for safe shelter, meals, and supportive case management with a goal of obtaining permanent housing and becoming self-sufficient.
Third City has partnered with Hope Harbor with several clean up projects, donated item drives, and other volunteer support efforts.
Ways to get Involved:
1) Support Financially - Help support the work of Hope Harbor by giving a financial donation at https://www.hopeharborgi.org/donate-online
2) Volunteer - A list of current opportunities can be found here https://www.go2volunteer.org/agency/detail/?agency_id=80084 but they also are open to volunteers in other ways that best fit their time and talents.
3) Donate Items - The shelter is always in need of item donation. They have a list of urgent needs as well as year-round needs that you can check out.
Learn More: https://www.hopeharborgi.org/
Local Outreach Team Contact Person: Alycia Packer
Project Hunger
About: Project Hunger is a non-profit organization that works to address the hunger situation in Central Nebraska through education and action. Nearly every community has some method to help the hungry through local food banks, pantries, missions, and shelters but many are underfunded. Project Hunger helps supply bulk food and funds to the Grand Island Food Pantry, The Salvation Army Kitchen, Hope Harbor, Crossroads Center & Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services. Here is a video to explain more about their mission - “About Project Hunger”
Ways to get Involved:
1) Donate - Project Hunger relies on donations and food drive events to fulfill its mission. Consider contributing to help alleviate the hunger problem in Central Nebraska https://venmo.com/u/PJHInc Also there are several events that rely on community donations for fundraising. Consider putting together a basket to donate for the Easter Basket Fundraiser or Harvest Festival for Hunger Awareness.
2) Volunteer - There are tons of opportunities each year to get involved and serve with this organization. You can serve food at the Salvation Army Gathering Table. You and your small group could build a canned food sculpture for the Hall County Fair. You could attend a restaurant fundraiser at Freddy’s or Runza. You could help pack and deliver a backpack filled with food for students. Or, you could participate in the Annual Thanksgiving Box Packing and Delivery event at Fonner Park on the 3rd Saturday in November.
Learn More: https://projecthunger.org/
Local Outreach Team Contact Person: Kathy Eihusen
Crossroads Mission Avenue
About: Crossroads is a ministry that exists to provide food, shelter, clothing, and physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and vocational support to the homeless, as well as providing indigent services for those who are needy. Crossroads offers much more than a hot meal and a warm bed. Their 4-Phase Recovery Program and Personalized Case Management are what sets them apart, and equips program participants for successful living after their time at Crossroads. You can watch a video to learn more here
Ways to get Involved:
1) Donate
2) Volunteer - There are several ways you can support the ministry at Crossroads in Grand Island, Hastings and Broken Bow. Whether it be by serving at the thrift store that funds much of their ministry and provides vital job skills for residents or working directly with those in the shelters, this is a great ministry for you, your family, or small group to support. Here is an extensive list of serving opportunities as well as a link to sign up
Learn More: https://www.crossroadsmission.com/
Local Outreach Team Contact Person: Sophia Carranza
Prison Ministry
About: At Third City we believe every person is made in the image of God and no person is disqualified from his reach. Those who find themselves incarcerated often have added barriers to experiencing the love of Christ. That is why we regularly partner with our local corrections facilities to bring the love of Christ to the incarcerated. This ministry is currently formed up of individuals who go regularly to the jail to meet with inmates for a bible study.
Ways to get Involved:
1) Pray - Pray for those who find themselves incarcerated that this time would allow them to encounter God and feel his love despite their circumstance. Pray for our growing prison ministry to be a light and hope into this place in our community.
2) Serve - We are looking to expand our team and opportunities for the incarcerated. We would like to build our team of individuals who are willing to help lead bible studies. We would also like to offer retreats in the local jail/prison. If you have an interest in being a part of these efforts please reach out to Sophia Carranza.
Local Outreach Team Contact Person: Sophia Carranza
Coffee With Friends
About: Coffee with friends is a ministry that meets the first Wednesday of the month in the Plaza at Third City Christian Church. This ministry provides a space for individuals with needs and agencies who support them to be with one another and experience the hospitality of the Church and the love of Christ through fellowship, coffee, and donuts! If you or a loved one would like to attend Coffee with Friends, we meet from 10:00 - 11:30 on the first Wednesday of the month.
Ways to get Involved:
1) Serve - If you enjoy holding doors and being a friendly presence or if you enjoy making coffee we'd love to have you join us. There is a background check required to serve. - You can sign up to serve here.
Local Outreach Team Contact Person: Rachel Lang
Foster Care Closet
About: Foster Care Closet is a non-profit based in Lincoln, NE that is focused on restoring the dignity to children as they enter into the foster care system through clothing, a safe place to stay while waiting for placement, and a source of resources and support for families involved in foster care.
Ways to get Involved:
1) Give Financially - as a non-profit they are always looking for funding to continue the work they do.
2) Donate Items - they are in need of items to supply their store and mobile closets. See a full list of items needed at https://fostercarecloset.org/current-needs/
Learn More: https://fostercarecloset.org/
Local Outreach Team Contact Person: Rachel Lang
Garden of HOPE
About: The Garden of Hope began with a vision to use the land God's provided the church to provide for the community. The Garden of Hope is located behind the church building (4100 W. 13th St. Grand Island NE). The produce grown from the garden is distributed throughout the community as we partner with local organizations, schools, and neighborhoods.
Ways to get Involved:
1) Serve - Whether you are a new or seasoned Gardener, serving alone, with your small group, or family - we would love to have you join us! We welcome all who would like to contribute to gardening or distributing produce throughout the community! You can register here.
Local Outreach Team Contact Person: Monica Schmucker
Quilting Ministry
About: The quilting ministry is a group of people who work together to provide handmade quilts to help meet local and global needs. They meet Saturday morning from 9am -11am at a home in Grand Island. The quilts made are given to vulnerable families & kids and used in a variety of ways to support the community. If you have an interest in contributing to the quilting ministry but are unable to meet on Saturday, that is OK! You can also contribute individually. Also, you do not have to be an expert quilter to contribute. This is a great way to learn and serve.
Ways to get Involved:
1) Serve - Sign up to serve here.
Local Outreach Team Contact Person: Carol Wing