SERVE OUR NEIGHBORS
WE SERVE WITH LOVE !
Pioneer Ocean View United Church of Christ is committed to fighting hunger, homelessness and improving the lives of marginalized communities.
WE FIGHT HUNGER, HOMELESSNESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION
A few examples:
- we host Club Kiku once a month for a senior lunch (mostly Asian/Japanese meals) and engaging activities (hosted in partnership wtih Kiku Corporation)
- we donate food & school supplies
- we assemble food baskets at Christmas
- we serve as overnight hosts at the Interfaith Shelter
- we prepare and deliver lunches to seniors
-we help provide meals for teens at The Storefront shelter
- we pack emergency meals for people who are unhoused, immigrants and aslyum seekers
- we glean fruit that would otherwise go to waste and give it to organizations that serve the hungry.
WE WORK FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
A few examples:
- we are an Open and Affirming Congregation, welcoming persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions in to the full life and ministry of our church
- with other San Diego UCC churches, we participate in the Partnership for Racial Justice
- our Social Justice committee helps us work towards creating an inclusive world that values all
-we invited our Muslim neighbors to join us in an Interfaith Service project at our church
WE SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORS ABROAD
We share a sister church relationship with the Heian Church in Kyoto, Japan. In 2016 a delegation from Pioneer Ocean View United Church of Christ visited the Heian Church, and members of their church have visited POVUCC twice. We hope to schedule a return visit to Kyoto in 2025. We also exchange Christmas cards each year with other churches in Japan.
JOIN US AS WE WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD!
Our Board of Ministries and Christian Education sponsors all-church mission projects each year that serve the less fortunate in our community. Join us as we work together for good! Past projects have included packing 16,500 meals for San Diego's food insecure population, packing 2,000 hygiene kits for San Diego's unhoused community and collecting school supplies for San Diego's low income children.
WE CONTINUE TO EXPAND OUR WORK FOR A BETTER WORLD BY GOING GREEN!
In 2018, the Board of Ministries adopted a Sustainability Initiative to build upon the great work that the Board of Trustees had already started on our campus in the area of Creation Care. The Board of Trustees installed solar panels and replaced all of our landscaping with drought tolerant plantings. We continue to build on this work by improving our recycling program, eliminating styrofoam containers and encouraging members to adopt earth friendly practices at such as bringing their own reusable drink cups both at home and at church.
WANT TO SEE HOW WE ARE HELPING OUR COMMUNITY?
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS WE SERVE
CCSA is an ecumenical Christian agency that provides emergency services to individuals and families in need in San Diego County, including food, clothing, and referrals, and where practicable, counseling to assist in their transition to self-reliance. Each year, we donate backpacks to local school children in need. We also donate Christmas baskets during the holidays.
For a list of current needs for CCSA click here.
A non-profit 501(c)3 organization in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego. It is run by dedicated volunteers and provides services to over 2,000 homeless and very-low income persons each month. We provide financial donations and also participate in their annual fundraising walk.
KIKU SENIOR BENTO LUNCH PROGRAM
POVUCC volunteers periodically prepare and serve bento lunches for the KIKU Senior Bento program. Lunches are delivered to area seniors. Besides volunteers to prepare lunches, drivers are also needed to deliver lunches.
– menu varies. Have fun and join the POVUCC team in this worthwhile cause.
CLUB KIKU
Club Kiku is a Senior lunch and activities program that was recently started this year. This program aims to provide an enriching program for seniors to reduce social isolaton, provide a hot meal and stimulating activities.
HOMELESS TEENS SHELTER
On the second Thursday of each month, POV volunteers prepare dinner for homeless teens and deliver it to a teen homeless center in Bankers Hill. Please sign-up in the Fellowship Hall or contact the church office if you are able to help out!
PRODUCE GOOD FRUIT GLEANING PROGRAM
POV volunteers periodically glean excess fruit in local orchards for PRODUCE GOOD, a local non-profit dedicated to reducing food waste. Excess produce to food pantries, shelters and other organizations that feed food insecure San Diegans.
INTERFAITH SHELTER NETWORK
The Interfaith Shelter Network program is a nationwide, ecumenical outreach project that provides food, shelter, and job-seeking skills to homeless people in their community. POV has traditionally assisted Nestor United Methodist Church, as they open their church for a two-week rotation each year. Host churches need volunteers to prepare hot meals and provide overnight hosts.