Karing Kitchen

Karing Kitchen is in service this week. It looks like wonderful food and sunshine all around. Lunch will be served from 11:30-12:30. Doors open at 11 (sorry no coffee hour), takeout's are available. Thank you for your understanding. And join us on Friday for the Annual Oneida Memorial Day Parade where we will we remember all the men and women who died while serving our country. A Thank you to our vets, volunteers and participants for walking. And huge awareness and gratitude for the sacrifices of our service personnel. They are greatly missed and loved by many. Please take the opportunity to say thank you to the spouses, children, parents, friends and families who supported their loved one's dedication not knowing the outcome. Begins 630 pm at Triangle Park and ends at The American Legion with hotdogs and music this year. Rain or Shine. Looking forward to seeing everyone.
DO NOT FORGET that the school budget vote is tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19 from Noon to 9:00 PM at OHS (for registered voters residing south of the NYS Thruway) and Durhamville Elementary (for registered voters residing north of the NYS Thruway). Your voice, your vote, your input matters.

Make sure to check out the new Food sense Flyer.
Don't forget our Community Dinners, Thursday May 21 5 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Oneida and May 25 5:30 pm at Oneida Baptist Church
We also are aware of the many challenges as we have seen an increase of deaths this month. Please if you are struggling, please reach out.
Mental Health Services
988- Su***de and Crisis Lifeline operating 24/7
NY Project Hope Emotional Support Helpline: 1-844-863-9314
Catholic Charities Counseling 315-363-5274
Family Counseling Services 315-280-0400
Madison County Mental Health 315-366-2327
Liberty Resources 315-363-0048
Bridges 315-697-3947

Thank you everyone for your condolences to Melissa and our volunteers. They are greatly appreciated. This is a friendly reminder that Karing Kitchen will be open this week. Lunch will be served from 11:30-12:30. Doors open at 11 (sorry no coffee hour), takeout's are available. Thank you for your understanding. And next Monday night (27th), Oneida Baptist's Monthly Spaghetti Dinner, 5:30 pm. April is Volunteer Awareness month. We want to thank and recognize all of our food warriors. Without you, we are do not exist to meet the needs of our community. We are also grateful for Food Bank of Central New York, United Way of Mid Rural New York, Inc. The Community Foundation that help support our work.
Wednesday is Earth Day. We at Karing Kitchen continue to support efforts to ensure environmental protection. One easy way to support is to safely dispose of your unused or expired medication. Join BRiDGES / MCCASA and Oneida City Police Department for National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25th, Oneida Walmart. And make sure to check out the May Foodsense flyer. Looking ahead, National Day of Prayer is Thursday May 7, 7:30 am in front of Oneida City Hall, Noon at Vet's Memorial, Oneida Castle.

Let us reflect on this Holy Occasion of Good Friday and be still with the depth of God’s love through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Join us for OACC's Ecumenical Good Friday Services Today at Noon at St. John's Episcopal Church, Main St. A Cross Walk will follow to Triangle Park
Or watch from the comfort of your home our 2020 service.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=679953256150129

Other Good Friday Services are
12 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet, at St. Joseph, Oneida
3pm Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion and Death with Holy Communion at Holy Family, Vernon
6 pm Stations of the Cross with Veneration of the Cross at St. Agatha’s, Canastota
6 pm Good Friday Service, Oneida First United Methodist Church
6:30 pm Good Friday Service, Christ Church, 417 Park Street, Sherrill
7 pm Good Friday Service, Plymouth Alliance Church, 169 Kinsley St., Sherrill

Thank you to everyone that has assisted with our programming this month. It has been greatly appreciated. This is a friendly reminder that Melissa's annual sleep out to RAISE AWARENESS about homelessness in our county and the reality of not having a single shelter in our county is this Friday. Yes homelessness looks different in our rural areas than it does in cities. But that should not change our understanding and YES, RESPECT and FORGIVENESS. How has it become that we are a society that is slow in forgiveness if at all? For if we cannot forgive, and yet we believe that every sin is forgivable, then we must focus on that forgiveness enables rehabilitation, the motivation to learn and improve lives and is in return good for our own hearts. We hear so often that the homeless choose to live that way, that they have made the choices that have lead them down that path. Where is our compassion, our understanding, our willingness to forgive whatever transgressions have been made? We ask that you join us, not only to raise awareness but to come together and more importantly, to begin to change mindsets and encourage understanding and acceptance. Don't forget to check out the new foodsense flyer.

Please see the information for Jerome Cooper's service this Friday. Also, one of Karing Kitchen's volunteers, Tim Gallogly and his family lost their home in a fire this week. (Some of you may remember him from Jesus Street, the Music store on Route 5). Please keep them in your positive thoughts and prayers. We have included a support link.

https://www.givesendgo.com/galloglyhomeloss

We've also attached the March foodsense flyer. Please share. Be safe our friends.

A community friend and volunteer that will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and all those who were touched by his loving grace.

This weather is for the birds (literally). Check out the snow angel one little birdie left behind. We ask that you join our little 'birdies' in speaking out against hunger.

Today is Anti-Hunger Advocacy Day! As food insecurity rises, we support our partners who are gathered in Albany today to call for increased funding and dedicated investment in vital anti-hunger programs like SNAP, NOEP, WIC, Nourish NY, and HPNAP (just some of the programs we utilize in this community). Are you aware that 1 in 7 NYers struggle with hunger, including nearly 1 in 5 children? And the loss of SNAP at the beginning of November PROVED beyond a shadow of doubt that SNAP reduces poverty & food insecurity while boosting local economies.

We are proud to stand with advocates fighting to ensure that every New Yorker can put food on the table.
Join us by reaching out to our elected officials.
Brian Miller, Assembly District 122,
(518) 455-5334
Senator Joseph A. Griffo,
(518) 455-3334

Cory Booker said it best "Do not let your inability to do everything stop you from doing something"

This weather is something. Every school is closed. And even some businesses. Loaves and Fishes is closed. The Food Bank of Central New York is closed. Which may mean your food pantry is closed. Check before going ANYwhere. If they do not answer their phone, good bet is they are closed. Please AVOID unnecessary travel and stay indoors if possible. If you do need to go out, give yourself extra time to arrive at your destination and plenty of room to stop when approaching intersections and other vehicles. Drive safely and do not worry about those who don't. It is UP to you to make it to your destination safely. Check on your neighbors, family and those who may need assistance. DO NOT leave pets outside for any duration of time. And as much as they may beg, DO NOT let the kiddos outside either (no matter how much they drive you nuts). Play games, make tomato soup and grilled cheese, pop some popcorn. Cuddle up under the blankets. Tell some stories, recant favorite memories, play the alphabet game. Stay warm our friends. We are here for you.

𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽? Call Madison County DSS: 315-366-2211

Due to the extreme cold, the increased forecasting of new snow totals, it is with safety in mind that we are rescheduling the Christian Unity Service to next Sunday, February 1st at 2pm, still at St. Paul's. Please check before going anywhere today as most Churches have cancelled their services. Check out Last year's service. Thank you again to The Arc Madison Cortland Wind Dancers fir their performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez1s0wxRteg. Frosty Forest has also been rescheduled. Stay safe and warm our friends. Thank you to our friends at Oneida Baptist for the prayer.

With temperatures to drop to record lows, we hope that you and your family stay warm through this weekend. Extreme cold could be dangerous—and life threatening. Exposed skin risks frostbite if outside for too long, while not dressing properly for the temperatures can lead to hypothermia, shock or even cardiorespiratory failure in those who are immunocompromised. We want to remind you to Layer clothing to stay warm. Keep your outside doors closed. Rolling up towels to place in front of doorstop will reduce drafts. Limit outside activity for yourself and your animals. Make sure to keep your phones charged and keep flashlights handy. Instead, play some games with the family, tell stories, rewatch a favorite show or film.

Please check on your neighbors, your family and make sure everyone is staying warm.

𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽? Call Madison County DSS: 315-366-2211