Author Archives: wes

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Grace in Action is a Christ-centered community ministry serving homeless individuals and those of low income by providing compassionate care, spiritual companionship, daytime respite, and referrals to local agencies. Building relationships in order to serve the most vulnerable individuals in Yolo County is always at the forefront of our activities. Grace in Action is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between our community of giving and local agency programs.

During 2024, Grace in Action invited guests to indoor lunch service at two locations in Davis. On Mondays, lunch was served in the Fellowship Hall at United Methodist Church. On Wednesdays, guests were welcomed in the Fellowship Hall at Pole Line Baptist Church. At both churches, volunteers brewed coffee and set out juice and water to drink. The serving tables were filled with sandwiches, soup or salad, fruit, chips, dessert, cheese sticks, and other items given to us to offer. The sandwiches and many lunch items were furnished by our amazing lunch provider volunteers and by Patti Miller, our supplier of Wednesday lunch items, including soup and salad. Monday lunch servers prepared soup or salad for that day of the week. Two volunteer bakers supplied special yummy treats during the last part of the month for both sites to celebrate birthdays.

In addition to hearty lunches, Grace in Action offered our guests on-site haircuts twice a month at United Methodist Church. Communion was offered on most Wednesdays at Pole Line Baptist Church by Pastor Erik Dirkson of Christ Church. Both sites offered prayer time at the dedicated Prayer Corner. United Methodist member John Castlefranco led Bible Study sessions on many Mondays. Yolo County Legal Aid lawyers met with clients once a month at alternating locations. Bike repairs were also available. Edward Johnson, Grace in Action’s Executive Director, helped with referrals and counseling for guests. Guests could obtain a laundry voucher at each site and bus passes were available for medical, dental, or social service appointments.

The Grace in Action Memorial Brick Garden remained in the Grace Garden at United Methodist Church. Artist volunteer Kristen Higgins created beautiful signs designating the Memorial Garden which will be installed in the winter of 2025.

Board Members and volunteers continued to reach out to churches and the public in 2024. The Lutheran Church of the Incarnate invited Grace in Action speakers to attend an adult Sunday School class and to address the congregation during the church service as well. Our photo display was available throughout the month of March in the lobby of the church. First Baptist Church invited Grace in Action Board Members and volunteers to speak during the church service as well as set up a display table and answer questions after the service. Patti Miller and Edward Johnson set up an information table at the Davis Farmer’s Market on many Saturdays, responding to questions and handling out information, assisted by some of our regular guests.

On Christmas Day, at Pole Line Baptist Church, Patti Miller hosted a Grace in Action lunch, complete with turkey and ham, many delicious side dishes, and pie for dessert. The guests thoroughly enjoyed the welcoming meal and the beautifully decorated Fellowship Hall at Pole Line Baptist Church. Everyone had fun as a number of lucky guests won gift certificates to local businesses solicited by Patti on behalf of Grace in Action. The guests were pleased to receive their gift bags containing a Taco Bell gift certificate from Pole Line Baptist Church and several items supplied by Grace in Action (knit hat/gloves, socks, dental hygiene supplies, candy, mosquito repellent, etc).

More than 150 unique individuals were served more than 2720 lunches during 2024. The average number of guests per day at United Methodist Church was 22. The average number at Pole Line Baptist Church was 30. Lunch provider volunteers represented six churches, along with lunches provided by Patti Miller. There were usually three or more volunteers at each site for 2½ hours each day. At least 780 volunteer hours were donated at the sites but many more hours were given through volunteers preparing lunches, leading Bible study, serving Communion, visiting churches and the Farmer’s Market, making bike repairs, and various other activities.

During the fiscal year, Grace in Action was awarded several grants and generous one-time donations. The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Community Fund awarded Grace in Action $5000. These funds were dedicated to our Direct Services program, which includes laundry vouchers, bus passes, on-site haircuts, and parts for bike repairs. This generous grant will allow us to continue serving guests through the most important part of our program—giving them a hand up and helping them realize they are valued human beings. The Biberstein Social Action Fund awarded Grace in Action $1,000 for a different part of the Direct Services program. Those funds were dedicated to guests’ supplies, for example replacing camping equipment that was ruined by a storm, helping purchase clothes for a job interview, finding replacement shoes, or providing needed phone accessories. Pole Line Baptist Church shared a very generous donation with Grace in Action, as did several committees from United Methodist Church. Through the years, many churches have supported Grace in Action in very different ways, from monthly or annual financial support, sending volunteers, preparing lunches, collecting new socks, giving bus passes, or helping with Christmas gifts. Our ministry is blessed by each gift, whether small or substantial. We could not exist without the support of churches and our more than 120 individual donors.

Income for 2024 included: $21,739.92 from churches and $46,796.84 from individual donors (including $1087 from Big Day of Giving). Our grant funds of $6,000 were received at the end of the year, but the funds will actually be spent in 2025. Total income for 2024 (including $5.08 in interest) was $74,541.84.

Direct Program Expenses during the year were $18,529.42. Operational expenses totaled $7911.21 for liability insurance, office and publicity needs, telephone, QuickBooks, etc. Personnel Expenses totaled $39,198.10. Total expenses for 2024 were $65,638.75. ($6,000 of the income will be used in 2025 for Direct Services as mentioned in the previous paragraph.) The additional funds will shore up our emergency reserves depleted due to our unusually high motel expenses during the pandemic.

Board Members included Nick Bua President, Lorell Hardaker Vice President, Sue Ann Finley Secretary, Rita Mt. Joy Treasure, plus Ann Marie McNulty, Patti Miller, and Cindy Cherry. Audrey Haverstock provided part-time bookkeeping services until her retirement, when Sheila Vickers became our volunteer bookkeeper. Edward Johnson served as Executive Director.

Churches that have supported Grace in Action through the years:

Dear Friends of Grace in Action,

Grateful-that’s the word that describes how Grace in Action Board members and our director feel towards all of you who give your time, compassion, and resources to ensure there’s a “hand up” for those without shelter or of low income. Besides the delicious lunches and the warm friendly atmosphere of the lunch rooms, there is the story of a guest’s dental needs being met because Grace in Action covered the gap between Medi-Cal’s payment and the total bill. There’s the story of a couple who are now healthy, successful in their new business, and so thankful for the year long relationship support they received from Grace in Action as they struggled to put their lives back together.

There are guests riding their bikes that were repaired by our volunteer with the parts purchased from our funds. And there are always the smiles of those receiving haircuts on site from the hairdresser who receives a minimal stipend from us for her work. Gratitude is shown by our guests for the laundry vouchers (60 last month!), bus passes, a car ride to an appointment, a set of crutches delivered, and so much more, all made possible by your support.

Volunteers are also the backbone of Grace in Action. We are so grateful for lunch providers who give hearty sandwiches and other lunch items for our guests. We are also grateful for the lunch service volunteers who faithfully come 11:15-1:30 on Mondays or Wednesdays, either weekly or on a rotation basis. Would you like to serve lunch and become acquainted with our guests? Perhaps you can sign-up to provide sandwiches or lunches once a month. Are you available periodically to help prepare soup or salad for 20-30 guests? We celebrate birthdays monthly and will need a birthday baker for the fourth Monday of each month starting in January. Does baking for the guests sound interesting to you? Please send an e-mail or letter to let us know if you are interested in volunteering for Grace in Action.

Whether you support Grace in Action through the giving of your time, your food for lunches, or your money, we are most grateful. During this season of thanksgiving, please accept our thanks for all you do to help our guests know they are valued and they are welcome to our program. We will do what we can to give them that “hand up” they need. Your monetary support is crucial for our work to continue. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Grace in Action Board of Directors
Edward Johnson, Executive Director

Dear Friends of Grace in Action,

Thank you for your continued support which allows us to be the hands and feet
of Jesus. We pray for God’s will in this ministry to reach the vulnerable within the community. Matthew Barnett, Director of the Los Angeles Dream Center, recently summarized the needs of the homeless and which organizations are best suited to bring about change.

• Those facing homelessness need more than just housing to build an independent lifestyle and thrive. They need community. They need mentors and friends. They need the genuine love and support that we all need when challenges come our way. In short, they need to be treated like human beings.
• Churches and other faith-based organizations are often well-equipped to provide the type of nurturing environment that focuses on restoring whole beings. When organizations like these work hand-in-hand with the other agencies, the root causes of what leads to sustained homelessness are better uncovered so the pain and trauma that leads victims into a downward spiral can be addressed.

At Grace in Action, we provide that nurturing environment by continuing to serve hearty lunches in a welcoming atmosphere of conversation and relationship building. We offer bicycle repairs; provide laundry vouchers, haircuts, and bus passes; serve communion; and invite guests to the prayer corner. We also collaborate with community organizations and government agencies to assist our guests.

Your contributions help Grace in Action meet the needs of people we serve. Please consider a donation by sending a check to our address listed in the sidebar, or you may scan one of the following QR codes. The first will take you to our Big Day of Giving Edge, and the second will take you to our PayPal site.

Thank you again for your time and support.

Sincerely,

Edward Johnson Executive Director

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
(Matthew 11:28)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

Grace in Action is a Christ-centered community ministry equipping the churches to serve homeless individuals and those of low income by providing compassionate care, spiritual companionship, daytime respite, and referrals to local agencies. Building relationships in order to serve the most vulnerable individuals in Yolo County is always at the forefront of our activities. Grace in Action is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between our community of giving and local agency programs.

During 2023, Grace in Action returned to full indoor lunch service at two locations. On Mondays, lunch is served in the Fellowship Hall at United Methodist Church. On Wednesdays, lunch is served in the Fellowship Hall at Pole Line Baptist Church. At both churches, volunteers brew coffee, set out juice and water to drink, and fill the serving table with sandwiches, soup or salad, chips, fruit, dessert, cheese sticks, and other items that are offered on different days. The soups and salads are donated and prepared by our amazing volunteer Patti Miller. In addition, Patti brings chips, juice, and desserts along with special meals for those on restricted diets.

In addition to serving hearty lunches, our guests are offered on-site haircuts twice a month at United Methodist Church. Communion is offered most Wednesdays at Pole Line Baptist Church. Both sites offer prayer time at the dedicated Prayer Corner. John Castlefranco offers Bible Study sessions on many Mondays. Guests may obtain laundry vouchers and bus passes during the lunch hour. Bike repairs are also offered. Representatives from Legal Services of Northern California counsel guests once a month.

2023 was the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the formation of Grace in Action as a non-profit. The ministry was founded by Cindy Burger when she began giving water, sandwiches, and new socks out of the trunk of her car. United Methodist Church and University Covenant Church started welcoming guests indoors and the ministry grew from there. The 20th year celebration was held at United Methodist Church on October 7th. Board members provided brunch foods including quiche, breakfast breads, croissants, muffins, coffee, tea, juice and a delicious celebration cake. Nugget Market provided a large fresh fruit tray. Our weekly guests and our donors along with friends of the ministry were all invited. The participants enjoyed hearing several speakers share about their experiences with Grace in Acton. The highlight was hearing from all four directors of Grace in Action including founder Cindy Burger.

Three memorial celebrations were held in 2023 for Edward Whisler, David Peralta, and David Breaux at the Grace in Action Memorial Garden in the Grace Garden at United Methodist Church. The new memorial bricks were painted by volunteer artist Kristen Higgins. Kristen also refurbished many of the memorial bricks in the Memorial Garden. Volunteer David Mojica repainted the chairs and tables in the area and the Grace Garden crew extended the pathway.

At Christmas Pole Line Baptist Church donated Taco Bell gift cards for the gift bags. Grace in Action included hats, gloves, and hand-warmers in the gift bags. On many Saturdays in the fall, Grace in Action had an information table at the Davis Farmer’s Market which Patti Miller and Edward Johnson set-up and monitored with the help of some of our regular guests. Church service visitations were started in November with University Covenant Church. More visits will continue in 2024

137 unique individuals were registered with Grace in Action in 2023. During the year, more than 2260 lunches were served. Usually there were more guests at Pole Line Baptist church with an average of 24 guests although on many days over 30 guests were served. At United Methodist Church an average of 21 guests were served each day. The lunches were provided by volunteer lunch providers from several churches along with what Patti Miller donated. There were usually three or more volunteers at each site for 2 ½ hours each day. A minimum of 765 volunteer hours were donated just at the sites but many more hours are given through the haircut volunteer, lunch providers, transportation volunteers, Bible study and Communion leaders, etc.

During the 2023 fiscal year, Grace in Action received a $1000 grant from Soroptimist International Davis for our Direct Services portion of the budget. Yolo Federal Credit Union contributed $500 towards the Direct Services portion of the budget. Renova Solar gave 100 solar battery chargers to our program. A private donor gave a generous donation to buy gift cards for the Davis Police Department to use when encountering people on the street in need of services. Grace in Action participated in the Big Day of Giving for the first time in May 2023 and received $2605.36 in donations. Additional income sources were: churches gave $17,028.56, individual donors gave $35,058.16, plus our grant and miscellaneous funds from interest, etc. Total income for the 2023 fiscal year was $55,865.62.

Expenses during the year included $14,978.99 for Direct Services including emergency housing, guest supplies, food, health related issues, transportation (bus passes etc.), and laundry vouchers, bike repairs, and haircuts. Operational expenses totaled $5,580.62 for liability insurance, office and publicity needs, telephone, Quickbooks, advertising, etc. Personnel Expenses totaled $39,219.96. Total expenses for the 2023 fiscal year were $59,779.57. Our reserves were used to cover the shortfall of $3,913.95.
Board Members included Nick Bua, President, Lorell Hardaker Vice President, Sue Ann Finley/Scott Heald Secretaries, Rita Mt. Joy Treasurer, Ann Marie McNulty, Patti Miller, and Cindy Cherry. Audrey Haverstock provided part-time bookkeeping services and Edward Johnson served as Executive Director.

Dear Friends of Grace in Action,

In this fall season, Grace in Action continues to be the hands and feet of Jesus as we serve those without shelter or basic needs. Your giving allows us to continue our work as we tackle the issues associated with homelessness.

 The reality is that in a broken world with broken systems, we continue to see more broken people coming forward. The silver lining is that God is faithful and never disappoints. He shows up time and time again. My hope is that God will continue to allow us to steward abounding love, grace, and guidance pointing back to Him. 

Since returning to full services after the pandemic, we have served more than 100 individual guests, and new people continue to come. We are finding that our time and resources are requiring more funds than ever before. I will be honest—we need volunteers and donations. Do you know of other churches or organizations that would be willing to donate to this ministry? Grace in Action would greatly appreciate your help. The truth is that we need your gifts in this season

Grace in Action seeks to be God’s vessel of change in how people view themselves as we serve lunches made each month by our amazing lunch providers, assist with parts for bike repairs, give vouchers for clothing and laundry, provide haircuts and hygiene kits, offer bus passes, and participate in community partnerships for larger items like car repairs or emergency housing. Most importantly, we continue to offer conversation, community, and an opportunity for prayer, Bible study, and communion for each guest who wishes to participate. 

Grace in Action is supported by amazing volunteers, individual donors, and several local churches. We participate in the Big Day of Giving (Giving Edge) and also accept donations through Pay Pal and of course through our local post office. Our PO address is Grace in Action, PO Box 4393, Davis CA 95617. Our Pay Pal and Giving Edge connection is listed in the How to Help section of the website.

We pray for God’s will in this ministry to reach the vulnerable within our community. We greatly appreciate your help with this mission God has put before us.

Sincerely,

               Edward Johnson, Executive Director