Church gives back to community

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent 
 
Christ Episcopal Church in Newcastle received a $10,000 grant from the Grant Foundation
of the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming and is going to give it
all to the community. The grant was one of 46 totaling $1 million dollars that the foundation has given to the 46 Episcopal churches in the state to help with various needs of the communities, according to Janet Hutchinson, junior warden of the church. 
“We did not apply for it; it was a gift given to us,” she said. 
After a meeting via telephone conference, the church’s vestry  decided to divide the grant money among several businesses and organizations around town that meet the grant’s criteria of assisting with child care, vulnerable adults and various food insecurities. 
To help the Weston County Senior Center’s meals on wheels program, the church purchased gift cards from both local grocery stores and Something Healthy on Main Street to distribute among the elderly residents in town. 
“They were very appreciative,” said Carolyn Shields, the senior center’s executive director. “Everybody appreciated it, and we did too.” 
Weston County Emergency Management also received gift cards from the three
food markets, and Hutchinson said the emergency management crew has also helped identify unemployment needs in the community. 
The rest of the money was given in checks to the ministerial association, Little Ones Daycare, FOCUS, and high school science teacher Jim Stith for his 3-D printing project of making masks.  
Stacie Hoxie, executive director of FOCUS,  said that organization has already used almost all the money given to them by the church to help community members pay electric bills, rent and more. 
Because of the lockdown, the number of victims has increased, but FOCUS is also helping families who are not victims because there are many that could still use help, Hoxie said. Because state funds are limited, she said, the grant from the church has really helped. 
“We’re just really amazed that they chose us,” Hoxie said. “We are accepting donations, and we do need them so we can help people.”
Stith said he was also amazed at the way the community has stepped up to help him with his mask-making project. Simple items such as elastic that were formerly easy to find are now scarce, he said.
“It’s weird how certain resources disappear,” Stith said. “Now it’s harder and you have to search for it.”
Community members have donated elastic and fabric — even a church from Custer donated. Stith said he has “really appreciated” the church’s donation because it has helped him to purchase 3-D printer filaments, gaskets and super glue. 
“The money the church provided has helped me continue,” Stith said. “There’s a lot of people in the community who need help.” 
During a crisis, it’s important for the community to come together and offer help if they can, and that’s what the Episcopal Church is trying to do, Hoxie said. 
“It takes a village to raise kids, and we have such an amazing community in both Newcastle and Upton,” Hoxie said. “Our community has really stepped up.”
Anyone who knows of additional needs due to COVID, Hutchinson said, should let the church know because it could apply for an additional grant. 
“We definitely hope it will be a positive impact,” Hutchinson said. “We are very happy to help the community.”