Here are the major UUFVB social justice projects. Please read the descriptions to learn more about what we do to promote social justice for everyone.
Sunday Fund:
Community outreach is a major aspect of living our UU values and has long been an important aspect of congregational life. Through our SUnday FUnd we reach out to the underserved in our community. The SUnday FUnd was established in 2010 as “a tangible expression of the Fellowship’s mission to seek justice for all.” Through the SUnday FUnd the Fellowship supports worthy community projects and organizations both financially and by encouraging Fellowship members to volunteer their services.
Sharing Sustenance:
The Fellowship collects and delivers non-perishable food, toiletries, and money to the Food Pantry of Indian River County located downtown in Vero Beach on 15th Avenue. Thanks to all of you who help relieve hunger in our county!
How can you help? Donate non-perishable food, toiletries, or money. Cereal is particularly needed. On other Sundays of the month, donate cash to the SUnday FUnd which supports five local charitable organizations. For more information, contact the church office (772-778-5880).
Transitional Meals:
On the fourth Tuesday of each month a group gathers in the UUFVB kitchen to prepare a meal that is delivered to organizations that house formerly homeless people and families. We support Camp Haven a duplex for formerly homeless veterans.
How can you help? Assist in the preparation and or delivery of the meal or donate money for the meal; see the sign-up sheet each month on the rolling cart. Come to the kitchen at 1:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday to help prepare the casserole. Salads, desserts, and beverages are also needed to complete the meal. For more information, contact the church office (772-778-5880) for the names of the co-chairs.
Little Free Library:
Fellowship volunteers sponsor a Little Free Library box located at the United Against Poverty Grocery on Old Dixie Highway south of Oslo Road.
How can you help? Donate books by bringing them to the Fellowship office. The box especially needs children’s books.
Special Events:
Social Justice films, speakers, and other announced special events documentary films and speakers about social justice issues are presented periodically in the sanctuary. Visit the Emerson Center website to learn more about Special Social Justice films.
Green Sanctuary:
This ad-hoc group raises our environmental consciousness for congregational practices as well as individual behaviors.
How can you help? Recycle your spent ink cartridges at the UUFVB office. Buy locally grown produce. Carpool to Fellowship events. Read about environmental issues.
Fair Trade Gift Shop:
The Fair Trade Gift Shop is a place at UUFVB to spend your money in keeping with your values. It is open Sunday mornings before and after the service, Wednesdays afternoons from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, and one hour prior to most Emerson Center events.
How can you help? Buy Fair Trade products: coffee, tea, hot cocoa mix, chocolate bars, bean soup mixes, as well as greeting cards, clothing, accessories, home decor, and jewelry made by women’s cooperatives from around the world. Tee shirts and bumper stickers with social justice messages are also available as are crafts from Ten Thousand Villages and Made by Survivors.
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee:
UUSC is an international human rights organization affiliated with UUA. Our Fellowship donates to UUSC annually from the congregation’s budget and also participates in the annual fundraiser known as Guest at Your Table (GAYT) in December.
How can you help? Become a member of UUSC by donating at the $40 level. Read UUSC information and take suggested actions (calls, letters, petitions). Visit their website at www.uusc.org
Coalition for Racial Justice:
The Fellowship began a group in 2016 (formerly known as Black Lives Matter) that meets on the fourth Friday of each month at 4:00 PM in the UUFVB library. Their meetings are always open to new members.
How can you help? Attend the meetings and help plan efforts in support of our African American neighbors. For more information, contact the church office (772-778-5880) for the names of the co-chairs.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade:
Participation in the local parade held every January in Gifford has been an annual event for our congregation for over 25 years.
How can you help? Walk with the UUFVB contingent on MLK Day. If you need to ride in the parade, talk with someone at the Social Justice Information Table on Sunday mornings.
Project Niños:
A Christmas gifting program for pre-school aged children of farm workers in conjunction with Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA). Many volunteers also visit the pre-school center throughout the year to hold babies, play with toddlers, and read to preschoolers.
How can you help? Donate money in December to buy gift cards which RCMA distributes to farm worker families to empower them to provide holiday gifts for their children plus their holiday meal. Also, volunteer your time to spend with the children at one of the RCMA Centers. The Centers also need donations of new or gently used toys, books, children’s clothing, and diapers. Ask at the Social Justice Information Table on Sunday morning how to volunteer.