Community Connections
Glendale’s long involvement with the community has led to some great ongoing opportunities to begin making a difference in people’s lives immediately.
Most of these community activities require some type of church and community partnership to make them work and are generally weekly or monthly in nature.
If you are looking for more of a small group or worship volunteering type of engagement, check out our get involved page.
Ongoing Community Events and Engagement
Open Door Pantry
Open Door Food Distribution is held on the second Wednesday of every month from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Eagle Ridge Elementary School.
Our team of volunteers helps distribute food at the school. Also, this is the only site where Open Door offers a unique delivery service for those unable to come in person thanks to dedicated volunteers from Glendale UMC who deliver the food to them.
Another way to get involved in this community activity is by assembling snack packs for children to take home on Fridays to ensure they have food for the weekend.
Reading Buddies
Meet a group of joyous and enthusiastic elementary school readers through Reading Buddies at a local school. You’ll be introduced to some great kids who read at all levels. Your involvement may help the children you work with develop confidence in their reading skills! You also may find young readers who need one-on-one reading to allow their growing reading to move to the next level.
With reading buddies, your experience will definitely alter their lives, and it will likely, alter yours, as well.
The day of the week is fairly flexible so you can likely find a time that works for you to become a reading buddy.
Cullen’s Treat Box
Cullen was the official guard dog of Glendale’s community garden. He inspected each bed with care and judged the weed levels accordingly.
Cullen was a welcomed sight at church and always sat quietly during service. Folx often didn’t realize he was even there until service was over. He accepted all of the pets from the little ones with grace and appreciated the head pats/ear scratches from everyone.
In order to honor Cullen’s memory, a treat box was installed for all to utilize. Come get a treat for your dog or utilize a potty bag as need.
In Memory of Cullen
9/30/2009-7/5/2025
Annual Community Events and Engagement
Easter Egg-Stravaganza
Each year around Easter, Glendale has an Easter Egg Hunt. You can meet the Easter Bunny, participate in other activities, and enjoy a fun time for kids and adults.
Community Garden
Each year during the growing season, Glendale provides a community garden where anyone can reserve a plot. Here is a place to grow tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, pumpkins, flowers, etc. with in a community garden plot.
Summer Bonfires
On a Wednesday evening once per month in the summer, come join us for hotdogs and s’mores around the fire. We will join in fellowship and fun games for the kids. It’s not summer until someone burns a marshmallow!
Night to Unite
Night to Unite is an annual event held on the first Tuesday of August that encourages residents to get out in the community and meet neighbors. Each year Glendale UMC hosts our own event. There will be free food, crafts, bouncy house, face painting, and other activities. All are welcome!
Trunk or Treat
Every year in October, Glendale participates in a Trunk-or-Treat event. Feel free to wear your costume to church! Everyone is invited to decorate the trunk of their car for the children, who will trick-or-treat around our parking lot.
Annual Cookie Sale
Each December, Glendale’s United Women Faith (UWF) holds a Christmas Cookie Sale. The money raised goes to the missionaries and ministries of UWF as well as local programs, such as books for every 2nd grader at a local elementary school.
Other Community Events
Glendale often volunteers with the City of Savage to support them in community wide events, such as the Halloween Bash or Christmas Tree Lighting. Glendale has also provided treats and beverages to students walking back to school during summer activities. Glendale has provided school supplies or other needs to children at a local elementary school.
Glendale has also hosted blood donation drives and other events. Many from Glendale often volunteer their time, donate items, and/or make financial contributes to various causes/organizations. Glendale’s youth and adults have engaged in community service projects and mission trips on multiple occasions.
For more information on upcoming events, please see the events and blog page or visit our Facebook page.
