The role of the Social Ministry Committee is to reach out beyond the walls of Zion to get congregation members involved in helping people in need in our local community.

Those with a passion for any local organization or group that would be a good local partner, please contact the office or a member of the Social Ministry Committee.

Partners and Projects

Buffalo Food Shelf

The Buffalo Food Shelf is a Christian, non-profit, community-based organization serving people and families in Buffalo that receive limited financial assistance or are going through a crisis and need help feeding their family. Zion Supports the Food Shelf by collecting food items year-round in a food cart (usually located in the hallway nearest the Sanctuary), supplying Easter Baskets (a complete meal) to Food Shelf clients, providing volunteers at the Food Shelf, and providing facilities and volunteers to assemble and distribute special Food Shelf programs.

Love Inc Big Woods

Love INC Big Woods is a non-profit organization established to improve the overall health and wellness of people and families in the Wright County communities of Buffalo, Maple Lake, Annandale, and Hanover. Love INC connects clients with volunteers, gives referral phone numbers to other agencies and ministries in our area, and prays with each client. Zion Supports Love INC by hosting the Blessing Closet gap ministry, collecting and assembling school supplies, providing families with Christmas gifts, collecting goods and providing space for Coats for Kids and Adopt A Family, and providing financial assistance to individuals referred through the Love INC Clearinghouse.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels provides volunteers to deliver nutritious meals to people in the community to help them live independently. Zion supports Meals on Wheels by providing 3 drivers each day of June and November to deliver meals.

Veterans and Active Military

Zion supports veterans and active military by providing cards to help members show support and prayer to active military members, and collecting supplies for Christmas stockings to go to service personnel overseas.

American Red Cross Bloodmobile

The American Red Cross is the largest single supplier of life-saving blood and blood products to patients in times of emergency and disasters. Zion supports the American Red Cross by hosting blood drives.

Local Nursing Homes

Zion Supports Local Nursing Homes by recruiting volunteers to visit and spend time with residents, and providing regular devotions at nearby facilities.

Read to Feed the Mind

Read to Feed the Mind distributes children’s books to families through local food shelves. Zion supports Read to Feed the Mind by collecting books for distribution.

Timber Bay

Timber Bay is a Christian non-profit working to change attitudes and behavior in youth through a growing faith in Christ, and creating a sense of purpose in their lives. Zion supports Timber Bay by providing financial assistance and serving a meal to program participants.

Recent Updates

• Food Shelf Volunteer

  October 2017 Dianna grew up in a small farming community in central Illinois, where she was a member of the local Methodist Church in Illinois, attending weekly worship, Sunday school, church, vacation Bible school, church camp, and Sunday night youth group. Because the church was in a very small town, we knew all of the attendees, and the kids were those we went to school with and saw daily. This provided a very warm, comforting environment for building a strong faith-based life. Dianna’s favorite hymn is “On Eagle’s Wings” with lyrics from Psalm 91. My refuge and ... more

• Love INC Volunteer Opportunities

  September 2015 Qualified people are needed for occasional car or household repair. Love INC is a Christian non-profit that uses church members to fulfill needs in the community. If any of these are of interest to you, contact Connie at Love INC at 763.682.2550. Do you own a car? Would you be willing to take an elderly person to a doctor appointment locally or in the Twin Cities? Most of the appointments are during the day. Occasionally, help is needed to move a family (usually on a Saturday and typically in the Wright county area) ... more

• School Supplies Collection

  July 2015 Believe it or not, school is starting soon and supplies are already available in all major stores. Back-to-school time can be a burden on many low income families, especially those who have to purchase supplies and clothing for more than one child. A child in a low income family may show up on the first day of school feeling different than the kids who arrive with all their school supplies in a new backpack. They might have none of the basics the others have – no pencils, notebooks or rulers, and ... more