
General Information
COVID-19 demanded a certain level of adaptability throughout the life of the church. In the same way, the Conference Kits and Cans4Conference collection needs to be adaptable. UMCOR reached out and shared that it will be challenging to process 50,000+ UMCOR kits collected through our Annual Conference. So, the Annual Conference Kit collection team came up with an idea to use the familiarity of collecting kits to benefit local ministries as we become adaptable.
This year, during 2021 Annual Conference, we will collect Cans and Kits, which local churches are asked to collect prior to the conference, to be dropped off at the district site on June 19. A collaborative team of Conference Kits and Cans4Conference made this possible, as the collected goods will benefit local ministries.
What will we collect?
- Local churches will collect modified Hygiene kits, School kits, cans, and dry food according to the District Mission coordinator’s directions. Each District will designate the mission organization that will receive these kits and foods and provide detailed instructions according to the local ministries’ need.
When do we collect these items?
- Local churches are encouraged to start collecting 4-6 weeks (mid-May) before the Annual Conference. Resources such as promotional materials, videos, bulletin inserts will be shared through www.vaumc.org/kits. On June 19th, following the commissioning to mission service, United in Mission and Ministry worship, we encourage one representative from each congregation to bring the collected items and drop it off at the district collection site.
Who do we need to contact for information specific to our District?
- Each District assigned a District Mission Coordinator to coordinate the missional effort of the United as One Community Cans & Kits collection. The District Mission Coordinator will share more information regarding the designated sites for drop off and detailed list of items to collect. The list of District Mission Coordinators can be found below.
Can our District simultaneously host a mini-Great day of Service type projects?
- Yes, districts can plan and host service project that are under 10 people following the resources provided by the Mission and Ministry Workgroup. M&M workgroup published “Non-Worship Gatherings of 10 or Less” which provides steps to carefully plan an service project, with under 10 people. A plan expected to be submitted and approved, by each District Superintendent prior to announcing the event.
Does this mean we will not collect UMCOR kits next year?
- We are making this adjustment due to the pandemic. When we are back to the new normal, we will resume our UMCOR kit collections for our Annual Conference. As we enter into the new normal, we will make some adjustments that helps us to effectively respond to the call!

Mission Opportunities – Part 1
As we approach the Annual Conference, we wanted to share mission opportunities for churches in the conference to join! We are called to serve God, united as one, and we pray that the two mission opportunities will remind us how God uses our connection to to serve this world together. Share and like this video so many more can join in this mission. You may also download this video to share during your church worship! Download Link : https://bit.ly/3ylQcph
Mission Opportunities – Part 2
We are collecting cans & kits differently! Community Cans & Kits is an adaptable approach for our churches to continue to collect modified kits and foods on a district level. Watch this animated video with Brian Posey.
Mission Opportunity – Part 3 Annual Conference Offering
The Virginia Annual Conference Offering is another way for us to come together ‘United as One’ to share hope in this world!
This year’s goal is to collect $200,000, which will be shared with the Federation of Virginia Food Banks to address food insecurity in the Commonwealth. Additionally, we continue to expand our overseas missional effort through Partnerships of Hope!
District Site Information
- District
- Alexandria & Arlington
- Charlottesville
- Danville
- Eastern Shore
- Elizabeth River
- Farmville
- Harrisonburg
- James River
- Lynchburg
- Rappahannock River
- Richmond
- Roanoke
- Staunton
- Winchester
- York River
- Grace UMC, 9750 Wellington Rd, Manassas, VA 20110
- Burke UMC, 6200 Burke Centre Pkwy, Burke, VA 22015
- Rising Hope UMC, 8220 Russell Rd, Alexandria, VA 22309
- Floris UMC, 3600 Frying Pan Rd, Herndon, VA 20171
- Clarendon UMC, 606 N Irving St, Arlington, VA 22201
- SERVE and Georgetown South (Northern Virginia Family Services) Contact: Sharon Thompson [email protected]
- ECHO (Ecumenical Community Helping Each Other) Contact: Judy Fender [email protected]
- Rising Hope UMC Contact: Sandy Miller [email protected]
- Floris UMC, Herndon She Believes in Me
- Clarendon UMC, Arlington Bridges to Independence Doorways Arlington Food Assistance Center
Collection Sites:
- Culpeper UMC, 1233 Oaklawn Dr, Culpeper, VA 22701
-
Trinity UMC, 4637 Plank Rd, North, VA 22959
Ministries Served:
- Loaves & Fishes, Crozet
- Nelson County Food Bank
- Louisa County Food Bank
- Feeding Greene Inc., Greene County
- MESA in Madison County
District Mission Coordinator:
- Darryl Lam (540) 219-2829
Collection Sites:
- Danville District Office, 824-A Starling Ave, Martinsville, VA 24112
- Bethlehem UMC, 2101 Goose Dam Rd, Rocky Mount, VA 24151
- Brosville UMC, 121 Long Cir, Danville, VA 24541
Ministries Served:
- God’s Storehouse
- House of Hope
- Henry Fork Service Center
- God’s Pit Crew
- Elementary schools in Danville City and Franklin County
- Rainbow House Shelter
- Patrick County Community Food Bank
District Mission Coordinator:
- Ryan Ware
(318) 730-8155
Collection Sites:
-
Mears Memorial, 181 Second St, Keller, VA 23401
Ministries Served:
- TBA
District Mission Coordinators:
- Kendra Powell
(757) 787-7107
Collection Sites:
- TBS
Ministries Served:
- TBS
District Mission Coordinators:
- Marta Pizzeck
- (757) 739-6491
Collection Sites:
- Farmville UMC, 212 High St, Farmville, VA 23901
Ministries Served:
- FACES Food Bank
District Mission Coordinators:
- Susie Thomas
(225) 205-2883
Collection Sites:
- Grottoes UMC, 300 4th St, Grottoes, VA 24441
-
Manor Memorial UMC, 9320 North Congress St, New Market. VA 22844
Ministries Served:
-
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
-
Rockingham County School Partners
-
Massanutten Pres. Food Pantry
-
Elkton Food Pantry
- “Valley Open Doors” Thermal Shelter
- Charterhouse School (UMFS) – Edinburg
District Mission Coordinator:
- Brian Posey, C: (540) 236-2472; O: 540) 249-4239
Collection Sites:
-
James River District Office, 11605 S Crater Rd, Petersburg, VA 23805
Ministries Served:
-
Greg Hill Center
-
Mission Ministries
-
Project Godspeed at Jackson-Feild Homes
District Mission Coordinators:
- Gibby Elder (804) 239-4591
Collection Sites:
-
Peakland UMC, 4434 Boonsboro Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24503
Ministries Served:
- TBS
District Mission Coordinators:
- Kim Ness
(434 ) 384-2791
Collection Sites:
- NORTH – Trinity UMC, 9280 Old Dumfries Rd, Catlett, VA 20119; Collection on June 19th and by Appointment.
- Contact Rev. Steve Little: Voice/text: 540-878-0244; email: [email protected]
CENTRAL – Fredericksburg UMC, 308 Hanover Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401; Collection on June 19th, 2:00 – 4:00 PM in the Charlotte Street Parking lot circle.
- Contact Rev. Josh Hagstrom: email: [email protected]
SOUTH – McKendree UMC, 4347 Manfield Road, Manquin, VA 23106; Collection by appointment;
- Contact Rev. Betty Jo Sims: Voice: 804-839-2769; email: [email protected]
EAST – To be determined
Ministries Served:
- Local food banks
- UMC food pantries
District Mission Coordinators:
- Steve Little
(540) 878-0244
Richmond District Website
Collection Site:
- Richmond District Office, 10330 Staples Mills Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060
Ministries Served:
- Richmond District Food Pantries
- Richmond and Surrounding Counties Partnership Schools (School Kits)
- CARITAS, Friends of the Homeless, Veterans Federation, additional agencies TBD (Hygiene Kits)
District Mission Coordinator:
- Linda Porter 804-674-5220
District Site Coordinator:
- Josh McCauley 540-820-5601
Collection Sites:
-
Huntington Court UMC, 3333 Williamson Rd, Roanoke, VA 24012
- Blacksburg: edges campus Blacksburg UMC, 706 Harding Ave, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Ministries Served:
-
Roanoke site: Roanoke Rescue Mission and Kids Soar
-
Blacksburg site: Giles County Christian Service Mission and Back to School Ministry Pembroke First UMC
District Mission Coordinator:
- Jeff Wilson
(540) 366-3465
Collection Sites:
- St. Paul’s UMC – 2000 Shutterlee Mill Dr, Staunton, VA 24401
- Trinity UMC – 147 S Main St, Lexington, VA 24450
- Christ UMC – 200 E Fudge St, Covington, VA 24426
Ministries Served:
- Valley Mission
- Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
- Augusta County Schools
- Marquis Memorial Food Pantry
- RARA
- South Covington Food Bank
- Covington Branch of Salvation Army
District Mission Coordinators:
- Doug Harris
540-487-0347
Collection Sites:
- Duncan Memorial UMC, 210 E. Main St, Berryville, VA
Ministries Served:
- C-Cap of Winchester
- C-Cap of Front Royal
- Bright Futures
- Loudoun Hunger Relief
District Mission Coordinator:
- Chad Hrbek
540-660-4761
Collection Sites and Contacts:
- Benn’s UMC – Smithfield – Contact: Pam Jordan – 757-810-5207
- Susanna Wesley UMC – Gloucester – Contact: Rev. Tom Tipton – 703-307-6892
- Walmart Supercenter at 12401 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, just off I-64 – Contact: Rev. David Magruder 757-879-2363
Ministries Served:
- TBS
District Mission Coordinators:
- David Magruder
(757) 879-2363
Resources
Documents
Letter from Brian Posey, Collection Team Leader (pdf)
Video about Mission Opportunities at conference (download & share with your church)Bulletin Insert – Color (pdf)
Bulletin Insert – Color (Word)
Bulletin Insert – Black and White (pdf)
Bulletin Insert – Black and White (Word)