Here’s Your Alternative Gift Guide:
Unsure what gift to get for someone for Christmas? Have no fear! Your Alternative Gift Guide is HERE! No gift here will be unwanted or go to waste. All gifts go to support our mission partners and the people who receive their services. Might we be led by our love of Christ to participate in alternative gift giving this Christmas.
*** NEW in 2025: Post Pandemic, our mission partners are no longer able to accept donations of stuffed animals.***
Lucy Addison Middle School Angel Tree
Perfect for anyone with a soft spot for children, education, or if you want to teach a young child about giving a gift to someone else in need.
You can pick a tag off of the Lucy Addison Middle School Angel Tree in the Gathering Area to support a student and their family. The tag has suggestions for clothing sizes and general requests. You do NOT have to get every item on the tag. Total gift amount suggested to be around $50. All gifts will need to be brought in by Sunday, December 14. We request that all items go in one gift bag with the original tag stapled or taped to the outside of the bag.
Sudanese/South Sudanese Mission Group
Perfect for someone who is always making others feel welcome or for someone who cares about refugees and immigrants and wants to make a tangible difference to those who have made a new home in our Roanoke community.
You can support families holiday celebrations through the Sudanese/South Sudanese Mission Group by giving a $50 gift card (Walmart, Kroger, Food Lion, or Aldi). Or by writing a check to RCPC with the memo line Alternative Giving – Sudanese Mission. You can drop gift cards off in the basket by Sunday, December 14.
West End Center Socks & Underwear Collection
Perfect to honor that parent or grandparent who thought every holiday was the right holiday to give you socks and underwear.
You can participate in the West End Center collection of socks and underwear aiding in each child at the West End Center receiving a full outfit with the efforts of other local churches. Sign up to give using the link found in This Week @ RCPC. You’ll sign up to provide a specific size of socks and underwear for a specific student. Please label the items you drop off so we know which student they are for. Drop off the Socks and Underwear in the appropriate box in the Gathering Area by Sunday, December 14.
RCPC Mission Partners
You can give a gift by donating to our mission partners in honor of a loved one. Stop by the tree in the Gathering Area, or use the Link in the This Week @ RCPC. Whether by physical form or an online sign up, let us know the gift you wish to give to support mission partners (Family Promise, House of Bread, RAM, Hunger Mission Team, Haiti Mission Group, Presbyterian Community Center, Rescue Mission, Care Portal, and West End Center) in honor of your loved one. Submit your gift online or submit the form and payment via check or cash to the church office to the attention of Julie Satterwhite. Whichever way you donate to our mission partners in honor of a loved one, the Deacons will collect the submitted information to mail a card of thanksgiving to your loved ones. All Forms must be submitted by Wednesday, December 17.
The below gift price points are examples of how to help our mission partners, but gifts of all sizes are helpful.
Perfect for the one always cooking for others:
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$20 funds the flour for one bake day at House of Bread
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$100 equals 20 bags packed for a hungry kid through the Hunger Mission Team
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$85 covers an average food order at Presbyterian Community Center
Perfect for an educator in your life:
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$150 pays for 404 meals served in a single day at St. Timothee’s School in Larivoire, Haiti
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$35 pays for a family's tuition for one week at the West End Center
Perfect for the ever-gracious host:
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$25 supports an overnight stay through the Rescue Mission
Perfect for someone who always gives you a “lift” (whether it’s emotional or physical!)
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$56 will provide a monthly bus pass for one adult at Family Promise
Perfect for someone who is always looking out to help other families:
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$40 covers diapers and wipes for a financially struggling Mom through Care Portal
Perfect for that go-to person who is always ready to help:
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$40 supports one week of services for a client at RAM which helps individuals get back on their feet in a number of ways through case management, rent, utility support, and meals.
Care Portal Team - The Care Portal Team responds to physical needs in our community through DSS
Family Promise - Family Promise of Greater Roanoke empowers homeless families with children to achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.
House of Bread - House of Bread is a ministry of support for women coming out of incarceration to find positive mentors and receive ServSafe training to help them with job placement. Using the avenue of bread baking, the students work with a mentor to learn a skill as well as build relationships.
Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM) - Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM) is an interfaith non-profit that advocates for those facing or are threatened by homelessness and hunger. Founded in 1971, our doors are open for those needing care coordination, day shelter services, meals, and emergency financial assistance.
Hunger Mission Group - The Hunger Mission Group is a ministry both fully funded and staffed by the congregation. Each week, congregants put together food bags for the weekend for children at Hurt Park and Lincoln Terrace Elementary Schools. Additionally, other volunteers make food purchases, restock the pantry at the church, and bring in grocery bags.
Haiti Mission Team - Since 1998, RCPC has financially supported the teachers of the St. Timothee School in Larevoir, Haiti. Located seventy miles south of Port-au-Prince, this school is run by the Episcopal Church of Haiti and funded through the American organization, Haiti Education Foundation.
Presbyterian Community Center - The Presbyterian Community Center (PCC) is a ministry designed to help our most needy Roanoke neighbors through prayer and a wide assortment of mission activities. Established in 1967 to provide for the basic human needs of the residents of Southeast Roanoke, the PCC today assists families and individuals living in the eastern quadrants of Roanoke City, eastern Roanoke County and the Town of Vinton.
Rescue Mission - Since 1948, the Roanoke Rescue Mission has been a place of refuge, healing, and transformation. Through emergency services as well as in-depth programs that nourish the mind, body, and spirit, dedicated staff and volunteers extend the compassion of Christ to our neighbors in need.
West End Center for Youth - West End Center for Youth is a non-profit organization serving children in the West End and Roanoke Valley since 1979. The center provides an after-school program that helps prepare children for success in school and life. The center offers a variety of resources for families and community activities for the children. RCPC has had a long relationship of supporting this center.