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:
- Christ Church of Davis
- Davis Chinese Christian Church
- Davis Community Church
- Davis Lutheran Church
- First Baptist Church of Davis
- Friends Meeting
- Lutheran Church of the Incornation
- Pole Line Road Baptist Church
- St. James Catholic Church
- St Martin’s Episcopal Church
- United Methodist Church
- University Covenant Church