Outreach Beyond Our Walls — Making an Impact
Reaching out to the community in our own neighborhood, across the country, and globally – is a vital part of our ministry at Kent UMC.
Join Us
Reaching out to others – in our neighborhood, across the country, and globally, is a vital part of our ministry at KUMC.
If you want to join us in making a difference, contact the church office at 253-852-3900 or general@KentMethodist.com. You can also fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page, and someone will contact you.
Support The Turkey Challenge Food Drive!
2024 marked the first year after the COVID-19 pandemic when the Turkey Drive returned. We're ready to gobble our way to a successful 2nd year. KUMC partners with Torklift Central, a business in downtown Kent, to manage a food and funds drive in the Fall to support Kent Foodbank's holiday meal supplies. In the last year of the drive before COVID, they raised $35,000 and LOADS of food. Last year, we raised just over $10,000 together, which was a great restart. Through our Outreach Beyond the Walls committee, we are working to expand the number of businesses and communities of faith that participate with us. If you have contacts with any other organizations that you think would like to participate, please contact Sandra Durbrow at 253-514-2267 to coordinate an invitation.
Between September 28th and November 9th, we are striving as a church to collect at least 100 boxes/bags of stuffing,100 boxes/cans of chicken broth, 100 cans of cranberry sauce, and 100 containers of ground or stick cinnamon, along with financial donations to the Kent Foodbank. Visit the community outreach table after services (starting on September 28th) to learn more and bring your donations. Financial contributions can be made through the church by noting "Turkey Drive" on your donation. Let's help serve our neighbors a holiday meal.
Breakfast Foods Drive Update!
In early September, we collected 2,593 pounds of food and $640 in cash donations at the Covington Fred Meyer for Kent Food Bank. This is an opportunity to make a difference with your time, not your money. We invite our community to contribute to this event. Given the overwhelming success of our first drive and the significant need, we plan to facilitate this initiative three times a year.
Community Loaves—A New Mission
We’re getting real here in Kent! As of September, the baking team for Kent Food Bank & Emergency Services will officially begin baking to support the food bank's clients with delicious, healthy bread and energy cookies twice a month. If you love baking, join our Community Loaves team! This is not solely a KUMC program; all members of our community are invited to participate. To meet our goals, we need many, many bakers. Please spread the word. Feel free to contact Sandra Durbrow or Elaine Lowell directly with any questions, or attend an information session (required before baking). communityloaves.org/attend-information-session/
If you are not a baker, you are welcome to sponsor our bakers. Just submit any financial contributions to KUMC with “Outreach—Community Loaves” noted. Helping defray the costs for bakers is hugely appreciated, too.
Join the Team Preparing for a Mission Trip
Kent UMC is developing a team to go on a mission trip to UMCOR Sager Brown* in Baldwin, Louisiana, in 2026. Contact us for more information at general@kentmethodist.com or (253) 852-3900.
*What Is UMCOR Sager Brown?
It is a mission experience for all ages, capabilities, skills, and desires to support God’s children who have recently undergone a disaster. UMCOR Sager Brown is a disaster relief supply depot in Baldwin, Louisiana. Each year, more than 2,000 volunteers prepare approximately $4 million in relief supplies for shipment from the UMCOR Sager Brown Depot in response to disasters in the United States. UMCOR Sager Brown Depot reaches out to its local neighbors through food distribution, housing rehabilitation projects, and other community outreach efforts. There are many activities to participate in, so no matter what your skill level is or what type of work you prefer, you can find it at Sager Brown.
Foster Parents Needed!
Calling all caring individuals in King County! Your help is urgently needed to support vulnerable youth and teens in foster care in YOUR community.
Becoming a foster parent can provide the stability and care these youth and teens desperately need. Together, we can make a real difference in their lives and help them build a brighter future. By fostering a youth or teen, you can help build trust and stability during difficult times, prepare them for adulthood, and become a meaningful mentor.
You can foster the future and create a better tomorrow for these vulnerable young people.
To learn more about becoming a foster parent, scan the QR code or visit dcyf.wa.gov for more information.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: @FosterParentsWA