Social Action
First Palo Alto United Methodist Church has a long history of engaging with the local and global community through gifts and service.
How We Support Social Justice
With monetary gifts, we support organizations that address hunger, homelessness and injustice in our community and around the world. Individuals and teams within the church serve with education and home construction organizations, participate in clothing and toy drives, and raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association.
For more information, email info@firstpaloalto.com
Joy of Giving
A Christmas tradition
Every Christmastime, the Social Action team chooses six organizations, half local and half global, that you can support with a monetary gift.
Pastor’s Discretionary Fund
Helping those in need
Church members contribute to this fund so that the pastor can answer the food and shelter needs of those in the community who knock on our doors.
Centennial Endowment Fund
Making a difference in the world
The Centennial Endowment Fund was established in 1988 in advance of the church’s 100th anniversary in 1994. Each year, grants are made to fund worthy projects both within the church and in the local and global communities.
Scholarships
The gift of a future
Through a generous gift in memory of Molly Kurian, the Social Action Committee has been able to provide scholarships for minority students at San Mateo Community College.
Hands-On Social Action
Habitat for Humanity
Housing is our responsibility
Join our team working with this nationally renowned organization to help build housing for low-income families.
Rebuilding Silicon Valley
Home repair help
Join the team to help build or fix up a home in the Bay Area. Construction skills are a plus but not necessary – anyone can wield a paintbrush!
Life Moves
Addressing homelessness
Our church was a longtime participating church in the LifeMoves Hotel de Zink program and continues to sponsor clothing and toiletry drives for LifeMoves’ Opportunity Center in Palo Alto.
St. Francis Center
Brightening the holidays
Our Social Action committee organizes a holiday toy drive for the center’s low-income families.
Alzheimer’s Walk
To find a cure
Alzheimer’s has touched multiple families in the congregation. Our team walks and fundraises for the Alzheimer’s Association.
English Together
Be a Conversation Partner
Coach a Spanish-speaking ESL learner in conversational English. No knowledge of Spanish required. Sessions are one night a week for eight weeks.