October 20, 2024 | 5:00 PM
The Harvest Dinner & Offering is an anticipated tradition we have at Northwood. The event originated as a way we could come together to remember and celebrate God’s abundant blessings of the past year. It will be a great night of food, fun, and fellowship.
Even if it has been a difficult year for you, God’s blessings of love and faithfulness are ever-present for each of us.
As part of giving thanks to God, we take a love offering, which historically helped us meet a special need the church may have. However, during the past nine years, 100% of our love offering has been invested in ministries and organizations who are doing great work and helping people in the name of Jesus. The offering from our dedicated church family has grown from approximately $23,000 nine years ago to over $80,000 last year. If you would like to learn more about these ministries, we encourage you to visit their website.
When it comes to the offering it is common for people to ask, “How much should I give?” As always, we leave that between you and God. Many people have found it helpful to give one day’s wage to this special offering. Others have decided to give a sacrificial gift. We simply ask that you pray about this and only give what you feel the Lord is leading you to give. There will be no pressure that night for you to give, only an opportunity. It does not matter if you are prepared to make a gift or not, we want you to be a part of this special night. You are an important part of our family and it simply would not be the same without you!
We are excited to be part of the Northwood family and we pray you are excited as well. God continues to do great work at Northwood. We believe God has wonderful plans for our church family.
Offering Recepients
Arc of Lane County
The Arc of Lane County, an organization dedicated to advocating for the dignity, opportunities, and rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc’s mission is to help individuals of all ages live their lives to the fullest, promoting self-determination and independence. The Arc Park is a testament to this mission—a place where children of all abilities can play and grow together. The second phase of this incredible project is nearly complete, but $120,000 is still needed to finish. With $85,000 in pending grants, the Harvest Offering could make a critical impact, funding the entry gate and an accessible sandbox that will bring joy to countless children.”
David's Chair
David’s Chair Outdoor Mobility Systems is on a mission to bring independence and freedom to people with mobility challenges. Their goal is to empower individuals to engage in outdoor activities they previously couldn’t enjoy, all at no cost to them. David’s Chair provides electric all-terrain track chairs, free of charge, to anyone facing mobility challenges. Each chair costs around $20,000, and they also raise funds for support equipment like trailers and sheds. Right now, they’re working on placing two chairs at Mt. Pisgah Arboretum in Eugene and expanding to new locations. Setting up a single-chair location costs approximately $28,000, with $7,000 needed annually for insurance, maintenance, and managing reservations.
Egan Warming Center
St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County is a faith-inspired organization dedicated to providing a social safety net through innovative solutions and compassionate services. Their mission is to assist the vulnerable and ensure every charitable effort aligns with their values of dignity and respect. One of their vital programs is the Egan Warming Centers, which offer a safe indoor space for unsheltered individuals when temperatures drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Each guest receives a warm blanket, socks, and a hot meal, with many also getting coats and transportation to shelters. In Fiscal Year 2023, they sheltered 1,444 people, but with the winter months ahead, they need our help.
Eugene Mission
The Eugene Mission provides not only emergency services but also long-term solutions that help our unhoused neighbors transition back into the community with sustainable income and stable housing. This year, the Eugene Mission was blessed with a chapel renovation, a place where guests who have faced loss and addiction find light and hope. But there’s more to be done. The mission needs a portable baptistry—a $3,000 investment that will allow them to baptize guests as they start their journey toward healing and faith.
Hosea Youth Services
Hosea Youth Services is an organization dedicated to helping homeless and vulnerable young people find hope and purpose off the streets. Since 1995, Hosea Youth Services has been a lifeline for youth ages 16 to 24, providing not only essential resources but also a safe place where they can experience Christ’s love. From two meals a day to clothing, showers, and laundry services, the Hosea Resource Center is a beacon of care and safety in our community. The dedicated staff and volunteers strive to build meaningful relationships with every young person who walks through the door, helping them transition to a life off the streets. To continue this vital work, Hosea Youth Services needs your support. We’re aiming to raise $15,000 to support their overall operations for the upcoming fiscal year. With a growing need and an expanding range of services, every contribution helps provide food, shelter, and hope to those who need it most.
LANE COUNTY DIAPER BANK
Lane County Diaper Bank is making a big impact in our community. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, they provide hope through their free diaper program, reaching families in need across Lane County. Each month, they distribute over 20,000 free diapers through 10 partner agencies and their own direct handout office. To date, they’ve given out more than 400,000 diapers, and they’re on track to reach their goal of 250,000 this year! They’ve recently moved into a larger warehouse, which is crucial for storing the variety of diapers needed to meet the community’s growing needs. But this growth comes with challenges. The annual rent for their new space is $10,500, and their dedicated founder and director, who has been paid just $11,000 this year, needs a sustainable salary of $70,000 to keep this vital work going.
One's Purpose
One’s Purpose is an organization dedicated to illuminating the issue of sex trafficking and empowering survivors on their journey to reintegration. Their mission is to raise awareness, provide essential support, and remind survivors that they are not victims, but victors. One’s Purpose is deeply committed to providing comprehensive support to survivors, including counseling, legal aid, medical services, and educational training. To sustain these vital programs, they need to raise a minimum of $50,000. Additionally, their outreach efforts involve distributing care bags, with each bag costing $10. They conduct outreach 24 times a year, giving out approximately 150 bags each time, which totals around $36,000 annually.
Square One Villages
SquareOne has pioneered ‘outside the box’ housing solutions, specializing in co-op housing that empowers residents to manage their own communities. SquareOne Villages combines a community land trust with cooperative housing to create homes where residents have a stake in their community and a voice in its future. SquareOne is now planning a 52-unit affordable housing development in Springfield, and they need your support. We’re raising $7,000 to help purchase the land for this project. Your contribution will help create 39 new permanently affordable homes, offering a pathway to homeownership for those earning 80% of the area median income or below.