Friends of Maria is a local non-profit serving women in the community.  St. Luke member, Carol Croteau, founded the organization in 2007.   It is dedicated to growing opportunities for women by providing for the physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of its members.  Friends of Maria assists with immediate concerns such as housing, food, clothing, medical attention, legal counsel, addiction treatment, or termination of an abusive relationship.

Friends of Maria welcomes donations and mentors who can share their talents. Volunteers are often needed to assist in the running of "Maria's treasures" thrift shop which helps to fund projects of Friends of Maria.

For more information call 860-889-1100 or visit the Friends of Maria website.

The Furniture Bank of Southeastern Connecticut is run by members Mike and Karen Wuesthoff.  Established in 1982 as an outreach of St. Luke, it was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 2005.  They collect used furniture and give it to people who are experiencing financial hardship, including, for example, victims of fire, flood and bedbug infestations, disabled veterans, young military families, single parents, immigrants, victims of domestic abuse, people with AIDS or mental health issues, the elderly and the formerly homeless.  The people they help are referred to the Furniture Bank by social services agencies and churches, usually in low income areas of New London and Norwich. These families are from all racial and cultural backgrounds.

The Furniture Bank is always looking for volunteers to help with furniture pickups and deliveries, and with the tag sales held at St. Luke in the Spring and Fall, which benefit the Furniture Bank.

Email Mike Wuesthoff for more information.

The first Sunday of each month St. Luke volunteers serve meals at the New London Meal Center. Volunteers who can make a monthly commitment and those who would be available to substitute occasionally are always needed.  If you would like to serve on the setup/cook team or the cleanup team please contact Ray Heller.

Learn more about the New London Meal Center.

Gifts for Jesus is our Christmas outreach.  St. Luke members provide gifts and financial assistance to members of the community who are in need.  A wish list is available during the holiday season, so families can select the best gifts for the chosen recipient.  Instructions are readily available during Christmastime. 

For more information, contact Mike Wuesthoff.

St. Luke is proud to participate in the annual Gales Ferry / Ledyard Crop Hunger Walk, held each October.  This year's Crop Hunger Walk will be held on October 16. The walk raises money and awareness to help combat hunger in the community and around the world.  Volunteers are needed each year to organize participation, gather pledges and represent St. Luke as walkers in this community event. 

For more information contact Mitch Robinson or Elaine Remondi-Simpson

The knitters and crocheters of St. Luke hand-make shawls, praying and sending love as they work each beautiful piece.  These prayer shawls are provided at no cost  to comfort anyone in need.  If you would like to contribute to this ministry, or want to know more, speak with Jean Wolfgang.  Shawls are located on a table in the narthex.

Hosting blood drives for the Red Cross is an important ministry of our church.  First and foremost: donors are needed to provide life-saving red cells, plasma and platelets.  Please consider donating.  In addition, these events require many hands, doing jobs such as: signing up donors, running the canteen, baking and serving refreshments for donors and helping with set-up and clean-up.  

To learn more about Red Cross blood donation visit the Red Cross website.

Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut (HFHECT) is a local unit of Habitat For Humanity International.  With a goal to ensure housing for all, HFHECT builds new homes and rehabilitates existing ones using mostly volunteers who share their time, talents and financial support.  

Volunteers work from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursdays and/or Saturdays on all phases of construction.  New volunteers attend a mandatory 1-hour course and are paired with experienced volunteers when beginning.  Volunteers may work as much or as little as they are able and all skill levels are welcome.

For information visit the HFHECT website.  To participate, contact Charlie Anderson.