In 2005, Trinity’s Vestry resolved to devote a percentage of the church’s annual budgeted pledges and plate collections to the work of the Outreach Commission.  In 2006, this budgeted amount was 5% of the church’s annual budget, and the proportion will increase by 1% each year until 2011, when Trinity will dedicate a tithe (10%) of its budget for this purpose.

The majority of funds dedicated to the Outreach budget are distributed in the form of grants.  A competitive grant process is held annually (click on the “2009 Grants” link for more information), and amounts up to $1000 are awarded to programs that meet the goals of the Outreach mission.

The Outreach budget also provides significant annual operational support to Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM) and the Shalom Center.  MCUM provides childcare and preschool to children of families with limited financial resources, and also operates a food pantry for the families it serves.  The Shalom Center is a downtown daytime resource center for members of our community who are experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty.

Finally, the budget supports Outreach programs throughout the year, which range from a community coat drive in the fall and homemade blanket drive in the spring, to our new meal ministries, to organizing Trinity’s team in the annual Homeward Bound Walk to fight homelessness each April.