Parish Projects
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The Social Justice Commission coordinates numerous projects and outreach opportunities throughout the year for parishioners to engage with and support local, national and international organizations that support individuals in need. These projects provide a means for parishioners to put into practice our parish's mission statement and the discipleship attributes of Pray, Learn, Share and Witness.
Volunteer needs for these projects range from ongoing weekly or monthly support activities to seasonal events. Descriptions of parish projects are listed below along with ways to get involved.
If you are interested in becoming involved in any of the projects listed please fill out the Ministry Interest Form below. Someone from the Social Justice Commission will be in touch with you. If you have any questions on the form, feel free to contact Martha Garcia-Wegener. -
Seasonal Projects
Advent Giving Tree (November - Early December) - St Elizabeth's works with the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) to provide forty plus families with specific gift requests along with a $25 Hy-Vee gift card given to each family.
- These are delivered to families in need the first weekend in December.
Christmas in June - This is our summer parish food drive which providse food for over 200 families. We partner with various organizations, including Hy-Vee, HACAP, MCO, and Salvation Army to assess community needs.
- Parishioners donate bags with predetermined grocery and toiletry items and distribute the bags to families in need.
Operation Rice Bowl (Lent) 
CRS Rice Bowl is the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services, the official relief and development agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
CRS Rice Bowl invites Catholics and faith communities in the United States to encounter God and our global family throughout Lent by practicing the pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Knights of Columbus
- Conducts Baby Crib project that collects donations from parishioners and delivers collected baby supplies to Birthright and Bridgehaven.
- Sells Tootsie Rolls to raise awareness of, and support for, Discovery Living
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Ongoing Ministries
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for humanity is an ecumenical housing ministry.
- The ministry is devoted to building simple, decent, and affordable homes in Linn and Benton counties.
- St Elizabeth's team of parishioners assists with building, repairs, and renovation projects.
Panera Bread Delivery- Panera Bread donates all unsold bread and bakery items at the end of
each day.
- On Mondays, at the end of the business day, a parishioner picks up all the unsold items.
- On Tuesday mornings, the bread items are delivered to the Linn County Jail, the Larry A Nelson Center of the 6th Correctional District, and the Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC).
Soles for Souls
- Shoes are donated by parishioners.
- Soles4Souls distributes the donated shoes to various programs around the world to help those in need.
- Soles4Souls educates individuals on how to set up and run a business with the donated shoes.
Catholic Worker House Meals