Community Involvement
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St Barnabas exists as a part of the larger community of Borrego Springs. We are NOT apart FROM the Community. The people of St. Barnabas have their hands in almost everything that goes on in the valley—hosting and supporting a monthly food bank, volunteering in the schools in science and the arts, teaching English as a Second Language, mentoring students on their way to college, and participating in the performing arts center productions. Members are deeply involved with the Performing Arts Center, music and theater productions, art exhibitions and support for the artistic community, as well as the yearly film festival. Still others are on town committees interacting with the county supervisors for the area and with local health care providers. All of this is done simply as being a part of the greater community.
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FOOD BANK
St Barnabas partners with Jacob & Cushman Food Bank San Diego to provide supplemental food supplies for those in the community in need. Food Bank is held monthly at St Barnabas and is coordinated with other locations around Borrego so that there is always a Food Bank accessible to the community. During 2021 the Monthly Food Bank at St Barnabas - in partnership with the Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank and numerous volunteers in Borrego and nearby - distributed 136,773 pounds of food valued at $160,469. On average the Food Bank served 226 families monthly representing an estimated 700 people making a major impact on food insecurity in the Borrego Valley.
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BYOB
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BYOB (stands for Bring Your Own Bowl) is a lunchtime concert series sponsored and hosted by St Barnabas and open to the community. The idea is to enjoy fellowship and a little music along with a bit of lunch.
The series is very popular and was greatly missed during 2021 when it had to be suspended due to the pandemic. But the good news is BYOB was back with a full schedule in February and March 2022. The series was very well received with some fabulous musicians and delicious soups afterwards. It was an opportunity for fellowship both for Barnabans and the greater Borregan community. events. |
Habitat for Humanity Care-A-Vanners
Habitat for Humanity Care-A-Vanner Program is a special program of Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to the ideal that all people deserve a simple, decent place to live, on terms they can afford.
Habitat for Humanity's core values include demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ, focusing on shelter, advocating for affordable housing, promoting dignity and hope and supporting sustainable and transformational development. Habitat for Humanity offers a hand up, not a hand out. Barnabans Rick and Paula Huls have been working with Habitat for Humanity for 16 and 14 years respectively. They have helped build dozens of homes through the Care-A-Vanner Program.
Habitat for Humanity's core values include demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ, focusing on shelter, advocating for affordable housing, promoting dignity and hope and supporting sustainable and transformational development. Habitat for Humanity offers a hand up, not a hand out. Barnabans Rick and Paula Huls have been working with Habitat for Humanity for 16 and 14 years respectively. They have helped build dozens of homes through the Care-A-Vanner Program.
Pet Project
St Barnabas cares for all of God’s creatures and also recognizes the emotional bond between pet owners and their pets. Our pets can provide emotional support for many of us.St Barnabas provides support for Borregan pet owners by hosting Animal Action League for Low Cost Spay/Neuter Service and vaccinations twice a year. St. Barnabas also helps to defray or waive the cost of vaccinations for those residents who can not afford them.In addition, St Barnabas is providing support for a local cat rescue by providing much needed food and supplies and other assistance. Ultimately, we are hoping to grow these efforts into a Pet Food Bank which will be able to distribute pet food to needy pet owners similar to our Food Bank.
