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Hear why Birthday Gift for Christ Matters!
How does Birthday Gift For Christ work?
- Prayerfully consider adopting a MadCAAP or Trinity Mission family.
- Look over the listed needs of the child(ren) and parent(s).
- Contact the family (MadCAAP only) – review sizes and requests made by children and parent(s).
- Confirm address and delivery date/time with the adopted MadCAAP family. If you will be unable to deliver, please notify a BGFC coordinator.
- St. Matthew’s will provide each MadCAAP and Trinity Mission family with a food box.
- Participate in St. Nick Sunday by bringing food items as requested as printed on the food collection bags or as found through social media or church communications. These items are used to fill the food boxes given to each family.
- Bicycles are available if requested. Bicycle helmets and locks should be included with your bicycles for safety.
- If you desire, provide each child with an age-appropriate Bible and include a note of hope
- Shop for the children(s) and parent(s) items, wrap and tag each item with first name and family number only.
- Bring items to church on or before the Pack Party, Wednesday, Dec. 18.
- Deliver toys, a food box, and other items to MadCAAP families between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Dec. 21.
- You may make donations for your MadCAAP family to have utility vouchers or uniform vouchers by contacting MadCAAP directly. NO gift cards, please.
- Donations of gently worn jeans and coats should be delivered to the MadCAAP clothes closet.
- Limit interactions with families post-delivery. Further family needs should be directed to the appropriate agency (e.g. MadCAAP, Trinity Mission).
- Questions: contact Jennifer Landress by phone at 601-856-9581.
Key Dates for #birthdaygift
Start Adoptions - Sunday, November 24, 2024
St. Nick Sunday - Sunday, December 1, 2024
Pack Party - Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Delivery Day - Saturday, December 21, 2024
Trinity Delivery Day - Sunday, December 22, 2024
Birthday Gift for Christ (BGFC) has been the signature local mission for St. Matthew’s since we started it at our previous location – Wesley United Methodist Church in Jackson. Each year we provide Christmas gifts for 50-60 families, who would otherwise experience Christmas without the joy of giving or receiving. BGFC is a self-sustaining ministry of our church supported by financial gifts and volunteers.
How We Get Our List of Families
We receive the majority of our family referrals through a partnership with Madison Countians Allied Against Poverty (MadCAAP) in Canton. The rest of our families are referred to us through Trinity Mission Center in Forest.
What Each Family Receives
- A box of food
- Clothing
- Blankets
- Bicycles
- Toys
- Other personal items as needed
How Our Church Family Helps
Our church mission is to reach out and share the life-changing love and grace of Jesus with everyone around us. This mission is just one way we do this. We invite our members and anyone else interested to help by providing toys, clothing, and other requests from the families.
St. Nick Sunday
Many of our contributions come through our kickoff event – St. Nick Sunday. This year for St. Nick Sunday we are asking for food donations that will be given to each of our families. Pick up a green bag at the church and you can return this bag filled with the food requested.
Adopting Families
Several Sunday School classes and individuals adopt families on our list to make Christmas extra special for them.
Pack Party & Delivery Day
Come Wednesday Night to party, as we pack food boxes. We'll have a photo booth, games, and much more. Join us for this new tradition! On Delivery Day, we gather as a church family once more to reach out to our adopted families.
Want to Help?
Join us this year as we continue to offer the love of Christ through BGFC. We challenge you to volunteer to wrap, deliver gifts, or sponsor a family. For more information, please contact our Chairs, Jennifer Landress by phone at 601-856-9581.