
Christ Episcopal Church
La Crosse, Wisconsin

Outreach Ministries
Outreach efforts reflect inner faith as we strive to walk with Christ, sharing love and hope. Our parish’s tradition of community service continues to this day as we work with local agencies and organizations to aid those in need. If you have time and energy to spare, we invite you to join our efforts.
Our history of care
Rector James Lloyd Breck and others helped Native Americans in the 1800s. In the 1970s and ‘80s, Christ Church provided education and assistance for Hmong refugees after the Vietnam War. Story cloths celebrating our connection with the Hmong community are displayed in our church. As a member of the worldwide Anglican communion, we have supported missions in Pakistan, South Sudan, Kenya, Haiti, Zimbabwe and other places.
Community Service
In recent years, Christ Church has provided funds, food, warm things to wear, and volunteers to:
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Little Free Pantry
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Episcopal Relief & Development
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St. Clare Health Mission
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Salvation Army
Little Free Pantry
A church member restocks the pantry daily with a few of each item
in this list.
Shelves usually empty within an hour.
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Easy-open cans of stew, pasta, beans, mac & cheese or spaghetti
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Single-serve cereal boxes, fruit cups, energy bars, boxes of raisins
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Men’s and women’s underwear
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Socks
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Toothbrushes and toothpaste
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Soap bars
Items listed below are not stocked since many pantry visitors
lack a place or equipment to cook. We cannot accept donations of:
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Fresh or frozen meat, fruit or vegetables
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Rice, spaghetti or other items that require cooking
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Anything in glass jars
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Anything that needs a can opener
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Cash, checks or online donations are gratefully accepted.
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Mail a check to Christ Church, P.O. Box 2908, La Crosse, WI 54602-2908.
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Put an envelope marked “Little Free Pantry” in the offering at any worship service.
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Use this secure link within our website, Online Giving
To donate larger quantities, contact Jake Delwiche ( jakedelwiche@gmail.com )
to learn when and where to deliver your most welcome gifts.
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​Sunday Potluck and Thursday Community Lunch
All are welcome, whether or not you bring a dish. There’s plenty for everyone.
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Sunday Potluck – Every 2nd Sunday after the 10:30 a.m. service.
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Thursday Community Lunch – Served most Thursdays at 12 noon.
Volunteers prepare salad, a hot meal, sandwiches, fruit and dessert. Coffee, milk and juice are available.
Donations are accepted but not necessary. We look forward to your friendship and fellowship.
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Purls of Wisdom
Dedicated knitters and crocheters prayerfully create items for those in need. Their mission is to warm their hearts while keeping others warm. As team leader Molly Gough says, “We patiently welcome all skill levels - even beginners.
We will happily teach and coach as we enjoy friendship and
laughter.” This group meets from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays
on the first floor of Vinter Hall. The entrance is on 9th Street.
Whether you want to learn a new skill or just chat, join us!
If you have questions, send an email to info@ceclax.org so
Molly knows how to contact you. Come enjoy fellowship
amid the sound of clicking needles.
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We partner with Northside Elementary School to provide hats,
mittens, and scarves for students throughout the winter. Our
association with the Warming Center will continue as well.
Last year we provided 200 hats to the homeless initiative.
Cold weather comes all too soon for those least able to endure it.
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Monday Meals
Christ Church works with Trinity Lutheran and other area churches and service groups to provide weekly meals. On assigned Mondays, we prepare and pack 150 to 200 meals to be given out during a regular Hunger Task Force food pantry pickup at Trinity. Our prep’n’pack team will be on duty Monday, Dec. 4. We will be responsible for 6 meals during 2024. If you would like to help with any aspect of this much needed service to north side residents, please email info@ceclax.org for further information. Financial contributions are also welcome. Simply mark Monday Meals on your check or envelope.
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​Safe Families for Children
This organization seeks to keep children safe and families together.
It is rooted in faith, fueled by radical hospitality, disruptive
generosity, and intentional compassion. It is building a network of
caring and compassionate volunteers to support families facing
social isolation. Its goals are to prevent child abuse and neglect,
reduce the number of children entering the child welfare system,
and support and stabilize families. However you are called
to support children and families, there is a place for you.
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To learn more or get involved, visit https://safefamilieswi.org
or call (608) 844-8475, ext. 0 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. M-F.
Send mail to P.O. Box 141, La Crosse, WI 54602-0141.
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​Community Concerts
We host concerts for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse Chamber Chorale, other groups, and professional musicians. Our sanctuary's size and excellent acoustics make it an ideal space for musical events.
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​Narcotics Anonymous
The La Crosse chapter of this recovery program meets each week at 7 p.m. Tuesday on the second floor of Vinter Hall, our administration and classroom wing. NA supports those who are battling narcotic addiction in a format similar to Alcoholic Anonymous.
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​Salvation Army
Our younger members have made the Salvation Army their special mission. They have led donation drives to collect warm coats and hundreds of boxes of macaroni and cheese. They made and delivered sandwiches to the Army's kitchen. (Their smiles in the center photo above show their enthusiasm for helping others.) They'll soon sponsor our annual Angel Tree gift project, which encourages parish members to donate new clothing for students in need.
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​Crossroads UCM (United Campus Ministry)
With several other La Crosse churches, we support students from 3 colleges with food, prayers and worship opportunities. United Campus Ministry and Common Ground (a coffee shop and meeting place) are on the
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse campus at 1334 Pine Street, La Crosse. For more information, call 608-799-4547.
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Items listed below are not stocked since many pantry visitors
lack a place or equipment to cook. We cannot accept donations of:
-
Fresh or frozen meat, fruit or vegetables
-
Rice, spaghetti or other items that require cooking
-
Anything in glass jars
-
Anything that needs a can opener

Safe Families for Children helped this young Western Technical College graduate escape homelessness and domestic violence. SFFC staff and the home host family beside her provided respite child care for her 2-month old baby while “Lisa” trained to be a school bus driver and earned her WTC degree. She has a supportive, ongoing connection with her host family. Prepared now for a better future, she is also rebuilding relationships with her 4 other children.

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United Campus Ministry
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Safe Families for Children
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New Horizons
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Warming Center
