At UUCE we’re dedicated to making a positive difference in the local community. We regularly have collection drives and volunteer opportunities to support local organizations that combat food and housing insecurity in Elgin. We also have projects focused on environmental justice. To learn more about the individual projects, click on the page for each current project.
PADS Lunches
UUCE’s Involvement UUCE volunteers prepare lunch for the Elgin PADS homeless shelter on the first and third Mondays of each month. Each meal has multiple components, and volunteers may sign up to prepare the entire meal or only part. The number of lunches depends on the number of guests at PADS. The sign-up schedule will give details. The meal components are: PADS stands for Public Action to Deliver Shelter and is an organization that provides support for our homeless neighbors…
Community Crisis Center
The Gretchen S. Vapnar Community Crisis Center was founded in 1975 to meet the needs of individuals and families in crisis. Employees provide comprehensive services to individuals and families suffering due to domestic violence, sexual assault, or economic difficulties. The mission of the Community Crisis Center is to provide Safety, Hope, Advocacy, Respite, and Education for those impacted by crisis and violence in Illinois. Visit the Community Crisis Center’s website for more information. UUCE Collection Drive When we are meeting…
Fair Trade Products
Fair Trade is a global movement focused on supporting ethical production practices across the world. Certified Fair Trade goods have been evaluated on their social, environmental, and economic impacts, meaning Fair Trade products support the communities throughout their supply chain. Products at UUCE At UUCE, we serve Fair Trade coffee for our Fellowship Hour each week after the service. All our coffee is shade grown, which benefits wild birds because it doesn’t require clearing forests for plantations. We also sell…
Styrofoam Recycling
Styrofoam, or polystyrene, is a very common type of packaging material. Many of our takeout containers and cups are made of it, and it’s a favorite in meat packaging for grocery stores. Like other plastics, styrofoam isn’t biodegradable. In the hundreds of years it will sit in landfills before it decomposes, it has ample time to break up into smaller parts, getting into our environment, our oceans, and being consumed by animals. However, styrofoam is often excluded from recycling lists…