Naperville church working to help those in need

Naperville Covenant Church invites residents to get a jump on their Christmas shopping while helping those in need at its second annual “Shop with a Purpose” event from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at 1150 Hobson Road, the corner of Hobson and Naper Boulevard, Naperville.

“We raised over $7,000 at our 2012 Shop with a Purpose event benefiting charities like Hands of Hope, Feed My Starving Children (2,992 meals were provided through funds raised), WAR Chest (9½ months of safe housing for women at risk throughout the world were funded), and many more,” said Diann Anderson, the event’s organizer. “It was so meaningful that we decided to do it again this year, adding more charities and items for purchase.”

In addition to items benefiting the listed organizations candles and bath products will be available through Chicago-based Bright Endeavor’s New Moms, which transforms the lives of at-risk young women and their children.

Backpack sales will benefit the Lycee Vanette girls’ school in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Re: new, located in Glen Ellyn and helping to transform the lives of refugee women living in America, will have bags and totes for sale.

WAR Chest will again bring jewelry, scarves, Christmas ornaments and children’s items, and “Feed My Starving Children” will be represented with baskets, coffee, hot sauces and Nativities.

Many more items will be available for purchase benefiting additional charitable organizations that will receive all funds collected.

A new element of NECC’s “Shop with a Purpose” event this year is a kids’ section, providing opportunities to package small gift items and write notes to Congolese children.

Attendees also are invited to come for a luncheon of chili with toppings, mac and cheese, cornbread and cookies. Proceeds from lunch donations will go to support a local organization like Bridge Communities, which provides transitional housing for the homeless in DuPage County.

Naperville Covenant Church is a multiyear partner with Bridge Communities in Naperville.

“At NECC, we believe Jesus calls us to engage in ongoing ministries of ‘compassion, mercy and justice’ to those in need around the corner and around the world,” said Scot Gillan, senior pastor at NECC. “Shop with a Purpose does exactly that, and at a time of year when giving back is on our minds.”