GCUMC Food Bank

The GCUMC Food Bank has been providing non-perishable foods as well as frozen meat, bread, pastries, fresh fruit, and vegetables to those in need in the community for more than 17 years. Each family receives 1-2 bags of groceries depending on the size of their family, and all client information is kept confidential. The Food Bank is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to noon. Those interested in volunteering their time by working one or more days are invited to contact the church office at churchoffice@goldcanyonumc.org. Donations to the food bank are accepted at any time during the week, as well as on Sunday mornings and during special events and concerts.

Citrus Gleaning for Food Banks

The 2013 citrus gleaning season for stocking our Food Bank and Mesa’s Unifed Food Bank begins Friday January 11–volunteer pickers are asked to meet each Friday at 8:30 A. M. in front of the Sanctuary for the caravan to The Groves near Power/Baseline. For more information call Terry Parsons: 480-982-6578.

Sidewalk Ministries

This vital community outreach ministry is designed to reach un-churched children and their families and introduce them to the love of Christ. Using lessons that encourage life-giving values, our Sidewalk volunteers help children and their parents learn that there are better alternatives to dealing with stress and conflict through the power of the Holy Spirit. Sidewalk meets from 10:30-11:30 am every Saturday during the months of October through April. Donations to this important ministry are welcome year round.

Backpacks and school supplies for the children attending Sidewalk are also collected during the months of July and August. Other donations are welcome year round.

Habitat for Humanity Project

We are so excited to move forward with our Habitat Project this year, which is renovating a home with a family in Apache Junction. We are always looking for volunteers to assist in the renovation, in providing lunches, and cash gifts in any amount to support
this special ministry.
For more details and information, please contact Joe and Maureen Morton, 602-284-2826 or E-mail:

Genesis Project

In partnership with Desert Chapel United Methodist Church in Apache Junction, members from Gold Canyon UMC provide clothing and meal assistance to the hungry and homeless in the Apache Junction area. The Genesis Project is located at Desert Chapel UMC, 462 N. Palo Verde in Apache Junction. Assistance is available Monday through Friday, noon to 2pm. Those interested in volunteering for this extremely important local mission are encouraged to contact the church office at churchoffice@goldcanyonumc.org.

Homeless Heat Respite

Located at Desert Chapel UMC, this summer program allows those who are homes an opportunity to come inside—out of the extreme desert heat—for a few hours each day, Monday through Friday. Volunteers from Gold Canyon UMC and other churches volunteer by being present, talking with the clients, and serving water and snacks.

St. Andrew’s Clinic

This “Clinic of Love” is a volunteer-driven health clinic located at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Nogales, Arizona. Every month, the clinic opens its doors for one day, during which volunteer physicians of all specialties treat 200-250 patients. Twice each year, members from Gold Canyon UMC caravan to the clinic in Nogales, carrying donations from GCUMC members to the clinic—so many that the vehicles are often “packed to the rafters!” Donations for St. Andrew’s Clinic are accepted year round in the church office. Those who would like to transport donations to the clinic in Nogales are welcome to contact the church office at churchoffice@goldcanyonumc.org.

Stitches Unlimited

Born out of our United Methodist Women’s organization, this group meets on the 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays each month from 10am to 3pm to make quilts and afghans for adults in skilled nursing facilities as well as children at St. Andrew’s Clinic in Nogales, the Apache Junction Child Crisis Care Center, and lap robes for residents of local nursing homes. Anyone interested in joining others in this ministry are invited to come.

School Supplies for Needy Children

Each year, Gold Canyon UMC collects backpacks and school supplies for both Wesley Community Center and our own Sidewalk Sunday School ministry. Donations for both ministries are typically collected during the months of July and August.Christmas Family Project – Each year our Director of Missions and Volunteer Coordinator organize the collection of donations to help needy families celebrate Christmas. Adopted families are provided with everything necessary for a full Christmas dinner as well as gifts of toys and clothing. Numerous volunteers join in this Christmas mission, not only by making generous monetary donations or purchasing gifts, but by wrapping and delivering the food and gifts as well.

Books for Children

In conjunction with Food Bank, children of Food Bank clients are invited to take a new children’s book home with them. These books are donated by church members and are made available to the children at no charge.

Wesley Community Center

Sponsored by United Methodist Women, the Wesley Community Center backpack and school supply drive benefits those children attending Wesley located in the south-central Phoenix community of Nuestro Barrio (our neighborhood). This predominately Hispanic community is home to approximately 7,000 individuals, 70% of which live in sub-standard housing and extreme poverty. Every day they deal with a variety of social problems, high crime rates, and a 42$ school dropout rate. The programs at Wesley help their clients and children make positive changes in their lives, bringing them hope for a better tomorrow.

United Methodist Outreach Ministries

Gold Canyon UMC supports the United Methodist Outreach Ministries (UMOM) in various ways. From clothing to furniture, items are donated to the UMOM New Day Center located in Phoenix.