Church Happenings - Week of 11/4/25
Glendale UMC has a challenge to pack 200 Emergency To-Go Bags.
We want to be able to collect 200 bags of packed food through the month of November. Every bag you pack brings hope and nourishment to a neighbor facing hardship. Together, we can reach our goal!
We’re Making a Difference Together! Thanks to your incredible generosity, we’ve already prepared 50 bags! Hidden Valley School received 10 bags, and Open Door received 40 bags to provide for families in need. Let’s keep this momentum going!
Items needed for Emergency To-Go Bags:
Purchase and pack one of each Core Five food items into a paper grocery bag. (Bring these items bagged up.)
*Please do not include notes inside bags when packing.
Core Five
Canned tuna/chicken
Canned fruit/vegetable
Canned black/pinto beans
Fast meal box (hamburger helper, mac & cheese, etc)
Bag of rice (1 lb) **Also please note if you can’t find a 1 lb bag of rice substitute with a 2 lbs bag**
Optional Add-Ons
Package of pasta (1 lb)
Jar of pasta sauce
Box or bag of cereal
**Monetary donations are also accepted. **
Encourage your neighbors to donate Emergency To-Go Bags - they can be dropped off at Glendale UMC on 11/15/25 from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM or during the week at the church Mon - Thursday between 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Other Organizations providing relief during the shutdown per The Open Door
“It’s not just hunger relief organizations like us working to keep people fed during this shutdown. Folks everywhere are stepping up to help our community right now. We’ve compiled a list of these more unique options for free or lower cost ways to get food help this November.”
Shutdown Support - The Open Door Pantry
Free meals from local restaurants
➤ Shakopee Bowl — Free hamburger meals for kids, no purchase necessary, no questions asked
➤ Whiskey Creek BBQ — Cottage Grove food truck is offering free “Whiskey Creek Meal” to anyone who asks for it (1.5 lb of pulled pork, two medium sides, and 4 cornbread buns).
➤ Buzz Coffee & Cafe — Community Chili Night for all, Wednesday Nov 5th, 5:30-7:30. Chicken Chili, veggie chili, cornbread, soda and milk, and for kids 12 + under, waffles and eggs
➤ Hope Breakfast Bar — Free pancake breakfast to-go, daily 7-9am, no questions asked. (St Paul location only)
➤ Find a list of more area restaurants offering free meals here: https://www.fox9.com/news/snap-benefits-free-food-minnesota
Free groceries
➤ Shutdown Support at The Open Door — November Saturdays from 10-2 at The Open Door warehouse, no appointment necessary. 3000 Ames Crossing Rd. Suite 100 Eagan, MN 55121
➤ Free Little Pantries — freestanding pantries that neighbors keep stocked with nonperishable foods. Stop by anytime, take what you need. Free little pantry map here: https://mapping.littlefreepantry.org/
➤ Backstory Coffee Roasters — This coffee roaster is creating community food pantries at each of their 3 locations (Minneapolis, St Paul, and Bloomington). All are welcome, take what you need. Get more info here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQfM01UkcPN/
➤ Free eggs from Gosell Gardens — Request eggs via a form and mention you’re a SNAP benefits recipient for a dozen eggs at no charge. Form is here: https://gosellgardens.com/egg-request-list/
➤ Free Little Libraries — While not guaranteed, many neighbors are turning their free little libraries into mobile pantries. Find a free little library near you here: https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/
Family-specific resources
➤ National Diaper Bank — Offers free diapers for those who need them. Learn more here: https://nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org/member-directory/
➤ In need of formula? Experts say to call your pediatrician’s office. Most have formula samples they can share
➤ Need some free family fun? The Minnesota Children’s Museum is offering free admission to every family who qualifies for SNAP benefits.
Misc. resources
➤ “Buy Nothing” Facebook groups — Join your local Buy Nothing group here on Facebook - it’s a great way to connect with neighbors who are looking to give away food, home goods, clothing, diapers, and more.
Discounted food & groceries
➤ Too Good To Go — This app partners with retailers and restaurants to increase food access and minimize food waste, offering great items at a steep discount. This resource is available in Minneapolis - download the app here to find participating businesses: https://www.toogoodtogo.com/en-us/about-us/in-my-area
➤ Fare for All — Pop up grocery stores that buy produce and frozen meat in bulk, then sell assembled kits for more than 40% savings to consumers. Check out their locations and schedule here: https://www.thefoodgroupmn.org/gro.../fare-for-all/schedule/
➤ Instacart — 50% off your order, up to $50 of free groceries for active SNAP customers. Learn more here: https://www.instacart.com/.../instacart-launches-support.../
➤ DoorDash — waiving service and delivery fees on grocery orders from SNAP partners like Dollar General and HyVee. Learn more here: https://about.doordash.com/.../snap-shutdown-announcement
➤ GoPuff — offering 2 $25 SNAP credits available in November. Learn more here:
https://www.gopuff.com/sf/snap-ebt/MbhNod
To find more traditional food support near you (like food pantries, food shelves, soup kitchens, etc) call the Minnesota Food Helpline at 1-888-711-1151 or visit them online at hungersolutions.org/find-help
Sunday Morning Prayer Team
Join us every Sunday from 9:15-9:30 AM downstairs in classroom 1 for prayer before worship. Together, we'll pray for our world, our nation, our community, and each other. In times like these, prayer matters—and praying together matters even more.
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Pastoral Care & Support
Need a listening ear or a caring presence? Pastor Brenda and our compassionate church members are available for visits during times of illness, loss, or when you simply need someone to talk to. To arrange a visit, please contact the church office at (952) 894-5394 or reply to this email. We're here for you!
This Sunday, November 9th
10:00 AM - Worship Service - Pastor Brenda North
11:00 AM - Fellowship time with Coffee & Donuts
Volunteers needed for this Sunday
Liturgist
Front Door Greeter
Tech Team
Acolyte
Thank you to the volunteers who have helped out previous weeks! For more information on volunteering during worship, please check out the Sunday volunteer page.
Glendale UMC will be volunteering with The Open Door Food Pantry
Next volunteer opportunity is November 12th at Eagle Ridge Middle School, located at 13955 Glendale Road, Savage, MN. The volunteer hours are from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
We have drivers to deliver food to clients who cannot travel to Eagle Ridge Middle School, and volunteers to help distribute food at the school. For more information, please contact Glendale at 952-894-5394.
***Message from The Open Door Pantry***
The ongoing government shutdown is creating an urgent situation for our community. Here in Dakota County, 10,000 of our neighbors will not receive their SNAP benefits in November if the shutdown continues, and over 1,000 federal workers are without pay.
What We Need Your Help With…
Here are three ways you can make a difference right now.
Volunteer on Saturdays: We urgently need volunteers for our new Saturday distributions on November 1st, 8th, 15th, & 22nd. This a great opportunity for groups and supporters who can't always find time to volunteer during the regular workday. Tasks will be simple, and training will be provided on site.
Several Glendale folks are volunteering - there are still spots available on some Saturdays. Click on the link if you wish to volunteer.
Host a To-Go Bag Packing Party: Assemble and drop off emergency To-Go Bags. This is a critical, hands-on way to help and save our team valuable time. We have seen a 3-fold increase in requests for these bags in The Pantry, and from our partners who use them to help in places across our community.
Look for details soon on how Glendale can form a Pack Party and collect food items.
Donate Funds: If you don’t have time for either of the above, then a financial gift is the most flexible and immediate way to help us. Funds allow us to act fast and pay for what is most needed during this time.
Attend the Community Thanksgiving Potluck at Glendale on November 27th from 12:00-2:00 pm
Come as you are. If you are able, bring a dish to share or a friend to gather with. All are welcome. We can’t wait to see you there!
Please contact Sandy at Glendale Church Office with questions.
Advent Study - Monday Evenings beginning 12/1/25 - Watch for time
A Child Is Born
A Beginner’s Guide To Nativity Stories
By Amy-Jill Levine
We will be following along with Bishop Lanette on Mondays during Lent (12/1- 12/22) using this study.
There will be a ZOOM portion with Bishop Lanette and other churches along with our own discussion.
Stay tuned for the actual time we gather on Monday evenings….
SAVE THE DATE: Upcoming Glendale Events to Mark on Your Calendar
November 1st, 8th, 15th, & 22nd - Saturday “Shutdown Support” Distributions with Open Door Food Pantry in Eagan (sign up here).
Sunday, November 16, 2025, 4:00 PM - Glendale will be hosting Prairie Winds' Cluster Charge/Church Conference.
Cindy Whitaker is looking for people to provide bars and cookies at help serve at this event. Contact Cindy for info.
November 12th, 2:30-4:30 pm - Open Door Distribution at Eagle Ridge MS
November 27th, 12:00-2:00 pm - Attend the Community Thanksgiving Potluck at Glendale UMC
December 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd (Mondays), Time TBD - Advent Study - A Child is Born by Amy-Jill Levine - See Cindy W for more information.
See below for other small groups and volunteering opportunities
Glendale Small Groups & Volunteering
For additional information on small groups to join or volunteer opportunities, check out the Small Groups, Community Outreach, or Worship Volunteer pages. If you are interested in starting a small group, please contact Pastor Brenda and/or the church office for additional guidance. See below for the Church Calendar for this week and next.
