THE ORCHARD

You Can Make A Difference

So how can you help?

Via Human Resources
We need to identify 36 individuals willing to serve once a month on a recurring basis in a two hour shift. Current hours of operation are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 – 4 p.m. We also need to identify individuals willing to provide for further organizational and administrative needs at The Orchard. Contact Cesar Ortega (cesar@mosaicchurch.net) or Ron Copeland (rrcopeland@ualr.edu) to get involved.

Via Financial Resources
Currently, it costs $12,000 a year to provide for operational costs. And at this time, 100% of this money is used to purchase food. The immediate goal, then, is to identify 12-24 community partners willing to provide all or part of one month's need ($1,000) annually. Of course, any amount of financial commitment is appreciated and gifts under $1,000 will be added together to cover the cost of one month's operation until all twelve months of the calendar year are covered.

At this time, investors include ...

1. Mosaic Church ($2,000 covering January and July annually);
2. UALR ($1,000 covering February annually)

All donations are tax-deductible. To sign on as a Charter Financial Partner at The Orchard, contact Mark DeYmaz (mark@mosaicchurch.net) or Ron Copeland (rrcopeland@ualr.edu).

Via Gifts in Kind
Donations of food (canned or boxed), clothing (cleaned, on hangars and in bags) and household items, etc., in good condition can be dropped off at Mosaic Church, 6420 Colonel Glenn Rd., Little Rock, AR., Monday through Thursday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Building the Team

The following is a list of financial partners, tracking both the gift and giver from month to month.

Total Financial Need for Food Purchase (9/08 - 8/09) - $12,000
Current Commitments - $3,000

January - Mosaic Church ($1,000)

February - UALR ($1,000)

March - Your Name/Organization Here

April - Your Name/Organization Here

May - Your Name/Organization Here

June - Your Name/Organization Here

July - Mosaic Church ($1,000)

August - Your Name/Organization Here

September - Your Name/Organization Here

October - Your Name/Organization Here

November - Your Name/Organization Here

December - Your Name/Organization Here

Contact Mark DeYmaz (mark@mosaicchurch.net) or Ron Copeland (rrcopeland@ualr.edu) today to join the team!

Current Need

Did you know ...

1. 21.4% of people living in the 72204 area live at or below poverty.
2. A growing number of people are coming to The Orchard for assistance.

From 9/04 – 8/05, some 250 people received food and clothing assistance. The following year, some 750 people were served. From 9/06 - 8/07, the number reached 2,800. And from 9/07 – 4/08 (in just the first eight months of this reporting year), 5,016 individuals representing 900 families have been assisted!

The need is great; the time is now. Won't you become a Cooperative Partner today? Contact Cesar Ortega (cesar@mosaicchurch.net) or Ron Copeland (rrcopeland@ualr.edu) today!

Welcome to The Orchard!

This article submitted by Dr. Mark DeYmaz, Directional Leader of the Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas

In 2004, the Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas began distributing food and clothing to those in need within Little Rock's emerging University District. In that first year (9/04 - 8/05), some 250 individuals were served. The following year, some 750 individuals were served. In 2006, the number receiving assistance had risen to 2800. And this year, in the first eight months of calendar reporting (9/07 - 4/08), more than 5,000 have already been assisted!

Indeed, the need is great; and we, at Mosaic, believe the time has come to invite other local churches, institutions, organizations and businesses, etc., to partner with us in creating a centralized, synergistic effort that will help catalyze our common desire to improve the quality of life and care for those living in or near the University District.

Today, therefore, I am pleased to announce the expansion of our efforts and the emergence of a new, University District Partnership initiative to be called The Orchard.

The cooperative mission is to provide short-term assistance to those living at or below the poverty seeking help with food, clothing, material and/or spiritual needs, etc. And in the near future, we hope to expand the collective effort to include immigration counseling and legal services, job skills training and placement, ESL/SSL classes, etc., in partnership with existing providers.

Speaking for Mosaic, we look forward to continued involvement as faithful representatives of Christ-centered values concerning the poor, the oppressed, and of God’s unconditional love for all people. For our growing list of community partners, we are very thankful for your interest, investment and involvement with us in meeting the needs of the community. And we look forward to building a stronger, more vibrant community together with you in the years ahead.

For more information or to get involved in The Orchard, contact Cesar Ortega (cesar@mosaicchurch.net) or Ron Copeland (rrcopeland@ualr.edu).