Ways to Give Back

Sustenance Sunday Sunday Fund 2021-22 SUnday FUnd Organizations

Sustenance Sunday

Our Fellowship has been observing Sharing of Sustenance Sunday since 1989. This long-standing tradition is one of many ways our Fellowship reaches out to the broader Indian River County community.

Bring your bags or boxes loaded with items such as canned beans, tuna, peanut butter, canned fruit, cereals, baby food, and pet foods, as well as toiletries and place them at the front of the sanctuary prior to the morning service. The Food Pantry of Indian River County also needs shopping bags.

Of course, cash donations are also gratefully received. Cash will purchase food items from the area food bank in Ft. Pierce at a fraction of the cost in a store

SUnDay FUnd

Community outreach has long been an integral aspect of congregational life at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach. As a tangible expression of our Fellowship’s mission to “seek justice for all,” the SUnday FUnd was established in 2010. The SUnday FUnd financially supports predominantly local organizations and projects that provide service, education, advocacy, or witness consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles and values. Contributions to the SUnday FUnd include undesignated plate offerings during Sunday services.

Each year members and friends of the congregation nominate worthy organizations to be supported by the SUnday FUnd. Print the form below and return it to the SUnday FUnd mailbox in the office. The SUnday FUnd Committee gathers information about the nominated organizations and decides which ones will be recipients of SUnday FUnd proceeds for the following year.

The SUnday FUnd began on October 1, 2010. UUFVB has supported many organizations through the SUnday FUnd proceeds. These have included Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of IRC, Camp Haven, Crossover Mission, Dasie Bridgewater Hope Center, Every Dream Has a Price, Feed the Lambs Enrichment Program, Gifford Community Cultural & Resource Center, Inc., Gifford Youth Activities Center, Gifford Youth Orchestra, Guardians for New Futures, Homeless Family Center, Literacy Services of Indian River County, Rivers Coalition, Safespace, St. Francis Manor, Voices for Children, and Youth Guidance of Indian River County.


Sunday Fund Nomination Form

Four organizations will be supported during the 2021-2022 fiscal year including three new organizations for the SUnday FUnd. They are:

Pioneer Change

Assisting children and families in the Gifford area by mentoring children in marginal environments who are behind in school. Pioneering Change is dedicated to changing the dynamics of their community by establishing unity, strengthening citizens through teamwork, education, empowerment, civic duty and community involvement.

Indian River Volunteer Ambulance Squad

The Squad provides free, non-emergency medical transportation for all residents of the county. Service is provided Monday to Friday by a team of 70-plus volunteer drivers. This 501c3 is supported solely by donations. There are only two paid positions and no government funding.

Every Dream Has A Price

Provides support for the impoverished and marginalized members of our community by providing these individuals with safe, decent, affordable housing. These individuals include homeless veterans, homeless pregnant women, low income elderly, and since the fall of 2019, those with mental health challenges

Gifford Community Cultural & Resource Center, Inc.

Their mission is creating and building life skills for under-served girls, through a transformational education community. Engaging educators, parents, and partners to expose these youth to training and experiences beyond their normal environment, thereby improving academic, social, financial, and life skills. The Center also recently opened Gifford Historical Museum.