“For I was hungry and you gave me food

I was thirsty and you gave me drink

I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

-Mathew 25:35-40

They are people reaching out to men and women experiencing homelessness on the streets. Some of the volunteer’s ride bicycles or tricycles, some of the volunteers drive cars. St. Mark’s Mercy Pedalers visit people on the streets in the Arden-Arcade area, bringing them coffee and sandwiches, toiletries, and t-shirts and socks.

St. Mark’s coordinators in this ministry are Dick and Jan Dell who currently do their route every Wednesday morning. You are welcome to ride with them to see what it’s all about. They are hoping to add another day of the week (Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). You can volunteer one or more days a month, and the time commitment is two hours.

All items given out are donated. 

· Protein Bars

· Coffee

· Sugar in packets

· Cups

· Bottled water

· Creamy Peanut Butter

· Strawberry or Grape Jam

· Travel Size Hygiene Items

· Men’s t-shirts and socks

All contributions are tax-deductible.

Donations maybe dropped off at St. Mark’s on Sundays (before or after worship service) in the lobby of the church, placed in the labeled basket of the church lobby. Dick and Jan may be reached at jmuggles@sbcglobal.net or 916.376.7637.

The joint effort with Sacramento ACT continues the work both organizations are doing to seek policy and budget changes that reduce and eventually eliminate homelessness. We need to tackle its root causes with social services, strategies to increase housing supplies, and other means.

As part of the multi-congregational Interfaith Hospitality Network, St. Mark’s provides a caring environment, nutritious evening meals, safe overnight shelter, mentoring and breakfasts four weeks per year for four homeless families. Program participants stay together as a family unit to receive support services that promote self-sufficiency, pursue stable housing, employment, proper health care, life skills training and return of children to regular school attendance. These efforts strive to enable families to re-enter into the mainstream community populace.

St. Mark’s mobilizes service teams that help provide daily meals at the downtown Loaves & Fishes Dining Room.