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The purpose of the Outreach Ministry is to raise an awareness within the Congregation of the needs and struggles of people in the community and the world, helping us to understand and to address them in caring and supportive ways.
St. Mark's has a long and valued history of participating in and caring for our community. Our Outreach Ministry works hard to discern needs and coordinate our efforts. Our members contribute generously of their time and money.
The following is a list of Outreach projects St. Mark's participates in.
Mission and Service Fund 
The work of the United Church of Canada is funded by the Mission and Service (M&S) Fund. St. Mark's has demonstrated a strong commitment to the work of the United Church of Canada across the country and around the world.
Through the resources of the Mission and Service Fund we support nearly 350 ministries - from local congregations to community outreach and social support programmes, from chaplaincies in hospitals, nursing homes, and universities to ministries with refugees and immigrants and with ecumenical agencies.
Globally we work in partnership with 38 countries with 144 churches, Christian Councils and agencies.
For further information about the M&S Fund, visit the UCC website.
Check out this video from the United Church of Canada's YouTube channel.
Susie Ibutu, director of programs for the National Council of Churches of Kenya, talks about the importance of partnership with The United Church of Canada.
West Hill Community Services
St. Mark’s has an ongoing affiliation with West Hill Community Services. WHCS provides services and support to seniors, families at risk, people who are homeless, refugees, single moms, and their tots and teens. We support WHCS through our involvement with several of their programs such as their Food Bank, Furniture and Cloth Banks, and any other ventures we are asked to participate in.
For a full overview of services, check out WHCS online.
Christmas Hampers
At St. Marks, we organize and distribute Christmas Hampers to support up to 50 families in our community. The giving spirit of St. Mark’s congregation has provided a Christmas for families in the Scarborough community for many years.
Out of the Cold
Out of the Cold provides meals and emergency shelter to those who are homeless. Since 2006, when the Out of the Cold programme began at Knox United Church, St. Mark’s has been part of a rotating roster of more than a dozen faith communities and service groups providing a Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, and a packed lunch during the Winter season.
For more information or to volunteer your time, visit the OOTC site.
Habitat for Humanity
As part of a group or individually, members of St. Mark’s continue to volunteer their time and talents on various builds in the Toronto and Scarborough neighbourhoods.
To learn about contruction projects going on around the city, visit the Toronto Habitat site.
Scarborough Urban Health Outreach Centre
The Centre offers free health and dental care to people without social benefits or insurance. The doctors and dentists volunteer their time, and financial donations pay for supplies and the salary of the dental assistant. St. Mark's supports the work of the Centre through its Benevolent Fund.
Local Shelters
St. Mark’s is linked closely with local shelters serving families awaiting affordable housing. We ensure that donations of clothing, school supplies, and baby paraphernalia are delivered to the people these shelters support.
Flu Pandemic Planning
St. Mark’s has volunteered the use of its building on an “as-needed” basis. This could take the form of supplemental childcare for hospital workers, or the use of our kitchen by the “Meals on Wheels” organization.