TREE OF LIGHTS

Thanks to the many donations and our team of 36 volunteers, HCBC served over 230 children with gifts, gift cards, food and needed family items for the 2020 Christmas season through our Tree of Lights Ministry.  Each December the Tree of Lights ministry blesses children whose families may not have the means to purchase gifts. This year's recipients came from our own families in need, Arrow Child and Family Ministries, Cedar Park Blue Santa and Settlement Home. We were also able to provide gifts for Agape Pregnancy Resource Center,  Reveal Ministries, Mission Possible, Trotter House, Faith Home, and the HCBC Prison Ministry. We are thankful to all who donated generously with their gifts and time. 

 CHRISTMAS STORE AT THE CHRISTIAN RESOURCE CENTER

The Christmas Store serves families that are working people who simply cannot absorb the added expenses of the holiday season. Gifts, big meals, traveling to see friends and relatives… even a Christmas tree can be an extravagance they can’t afford. HCBC was also able to contribute to this event with gift donations and financial assistance.

Volunteer or receive assistance from our food pantry and clothes closet. 

• Reveal Resource Center serves the greater Austin area, including all of our campuses. Located at our Christian Resource Center at Twin Lakes Fellowship (1150 S. Bell Blvd. Cedar Park). Opportunities to assist setting up Monday mornings 9-11:00 am. and distributing Monday evenings from 6-8:30 pm and Tuesday mornings 8:30 am-12:00 pm. You can get more information and connect here. 
• Austin Reconciliation Church on Cameron Road in North Austin to provide volunteers for their food distribution on Wednesdays from 3-5:00 pm. If you're interested in volunteering, please reach out to our Coordinator Due West at [email protected]
• Hill Country Community Ministries that serves our Crystal Falls area. For more information, visit their website. 
• Round Rock Serving Center for those living in the Round Rock area.
• Due to the economic downturn and loss of income for many in our family, they will most likely need assistance through our Hope Benevolence Ministry. We are also doing additional outreach to help First Responders, Healthcare Workers, and Distribution Centers during this time. If you would like to give to assist in these, and give beyond your regular giving, you may make a donation online to our Benevolence or Community Outreach funds here.

During this time of unprecedented impact by the pandemic virus outbreak, many are asking how they can be used to assist those most affected or at risk. Here are a few ways we recommend for your prayerful consideration:

• Be in prayer for God to move in a significant way to use you and this outbreak to bring others to Himself and for His protection and provision.
• Check with your neighbors to see if they have any needed assistance you can provide. This is a great way to bless them!
• If you find yourself struggling physically, emotionally, or spiritually during this time, make sure to check out our Resource blog that was developed by our Counseling team. You can visit it at https://www.hcbc.com/resources-blog/.

If you are a small business owner, leader of a non-profit, or independent contractor, we'd love to connect with you! Join our Facebook page for useful resources, connections, and to be in community with others who are in similar situations during this time. You can find our page here.

Job Seekers Network has expanded its services and offerings during this covid-19 time. To keep up to date on their Monday meetings and other seminars, visit their website here.

Over the past few months we have joined forces with the COVID Rangers to provide local hospitals and other agencies with masks and mask covers for their staff as they serve to protect our community. To date we've had over 100 volunteers make and provide 4,200 masks for our first responders and workers in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes! Thank you to our amazing volunteers!