Garden Door Ministry 

Over 1,000 homeless live in Indianapolis. St. John’s downtown location gives us a unique opportunity to serve our neighbors in Christ, the poor and homeless in our midst. Each day, St. John’s Garden Door Ministry hands out sandwiches and water or any donated food to those who come to our doors.  See below on ways you can get involved in this ministry. It's a great opportunity to share a meal with our neighbors and get to know them better.  

If you would like to volunteer for any ministries for the garden door email Danielle Heitkamp at danielle.heitkamp@stjohnsindy.org
Garden Door Needs Monthly Collection - October 2021
As our Garden Door Ministry continues to grow, we would love to continue to get our entire parish involved as much as possible. Below are our constant needs for the ministry. If you would like to sign up to bring a hot meal or become a volunteer, please email Danielle Heitkamp at danielle.heitkamp@stjohnsindy.org.

Items Needed: 
  • Blankets
  • Grocery Bags
  • Men's and Women's socks
  • Men's underwear M, L, XL
  • Razors
  • Sweatshirts M, L, XL, XXL
  • Men's Winter Coats M, L, XL, XXL
  • Women's underwear M, L, XL
  • Winter hats 
  • Gloves 
  • Rain Ponchos 
  • Chapstick
  • Fruit Cups
  • Individually Bagged Chips
  • Hot Chocolate Mix 

Thanks so much for your generosity to the Garden Door Ministry! 
Ways You Can Help: 

As a Greeter
When our neighbors come to our door hungry, thirsty or without decent clothes on their backs, our greeters answer the door to help. From our supply of sandwiches, water and an assortment of clothing, they respond to Christ in His need. Some volunteers work the same shift every week while others serve as substitutes when they are able. The Garden Door hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. To volunteer for an open shift (see below) contact Danielle Heitkamp at danielle.heitkamp@stjohnsindy.org
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Sandwich Makers
Our greeters hand out as many as 120 sandwiches a day to our neighbors. Sandwich makers usually come in the late afternoon or evening to prepare sandwiches for the next day.  It can take up to two hours to make sandwiches, which are prepared in our Garden Door kitchen.

We are in need of sandwich makers Monday-Thursday evenings.  If you are able to help please contact Danielle Heitkamp at danielle.heitkamp@stjohnsindy.org. We need both those who have volunteer on a weekly basis and those who are able to sub on an as needed basis with someone can't make it.  

Shoppers
We are in constant need of personal hygiene products and food and rely on the generosity of others to keep our storeroom stocked. Our shoppers are added to an e-mail list and are informed when we are in need of particular items. 

Give to Garden Door 
Giving to the Garden Door can be done in a variety of ways.  All donations can be dropped off at any time in the Garden Door donation shed in the parking lot of the Church. Financial gifts are also welcome.  The poor box (the gold stand located in the back of church) can be used for cash or checks.  Online giving is also available.  

See our website for more information: http://www.stjohnsindy.org/tithing.html

Home Chefs
For those who love to bake or cook, this is a great way to help those in need when you can't be there to serve them yourself. Soups and stews that are fully cooked and stored in gallon size freezer storage bags are convenient for our greeters to heat up and serve on cold days. And home baked cookies, brownies and other treats always bring a smile to the faces of our neighbors. Contact Danielle Heitkamp at danielle.heitkamp@stjohnsindy.org to arrange the delivery of a meal or food. 

Thank you for discerning whether God may be calling you to this ministry and for your prayers for our neighbors and those who serve them.