UUCT members have done an excellent job responding to requests to reuse, recycle, and repurpose items.  A gentle reminder that you can still leave the following items at the church and they will be distributed:

Brown paper grocery bags: Manna uses these to pack dry goods for the approximately 325 neighbor families served each month. Thanks to the generosity of friends of Manna, Manna has not had to use any purchased bags for the first 9 months of 2025.  Keep up the good work. NOTE:  it is rumored that some Publix will stop having paper bags in the near future, go ahead and stock Manna up now.

Plastic utensils: Grace Mission has benefitted from at least 300 sets of plastic ware in the past 3 months.   Most of it from the drawers in people’s kitchens where they store ‘to go’ plastic ware they do not use.   Clean out those drawers and drop at the church. They will be delivered to Grace (who does not have a dish washer so uses disposable plates/cups/utensils).   

Gently used (or new) sheets, blankets, pillows, towels: Kearney Center is looking for linens for their clients in their transition shelter and other living facilities.  And, believe it or not it will soon be getting cool – Kearney and Grace and Elder Care will be happy to distribute blankets, sheets, etc.  Drop those at the church and they will be delivered to these organizations. NOTE:  Not good enough for person use – identify as such if dropping at church but they can be dropped directly at Humane Society on Timberlane or Animal Aid on Boone Blvd.  

Black plastic planting pots (any size):  the black ones with no identifying marks can be dropped off at Native Nurseries – their growers will thank you.  

Plastic grocery bags:  Manna uses these to wrap meat so it does not thaw on people’s car seats as they drive home and for other items. Those that are not used, are recycled through local grocery stores.  

Reusable grocery bags:  Those that are left at your house or come in the mail. Manna uses these bags for their Sunday/Monday distributions instead of having to purchase plastic bags. Any that are not the correct size are donated to Grace Mission to be used in their clothes give aways and their food take outs.

Childproof top medicine bottles (labels removed, please):  These can be brought to UUCT or dropped directly at Animal Aid on Boone Blvd.  

There are small difference we can do individually that result in big changes if we do them all together.   Thank you for all you continue to do.