Outreach Programs  CARITAS (Congregations Around Richmond Involved To Assure Shelter) was organized in the early 1980’s to respond to the huge unmet need for emergency shelter for homeless adults in the cold winter months.  With its name derived from the Latin word for charity, today CARITAS is the largest emergency shelter program in our community.  More than 170 faith communities provide over 37,000 nights of shelter.  Our congregation-based model mobilizes thousands of volunteers annually.   GPUMC will be one of the congregations hosting a group of homeless men for the week of MARCH 3 – 10, 2007.  Horace Ford and Emmanuel Nkrumah are the co-coordinators for this mission opportunity.  Please mark your calendars and plan to participate!   Needs:             *Groups or individual volunteers to provide meals, hot dinner, evening snacks, continental breakfast and a bag lunch daily.             *Volunteers to assist with set up and break down on the 3rd and 10th.             *Volunteers to assist with early evening activities, showering, laundry and entertainment.             *Volunteers willing to stay overnight – 9p.m. to 8a.m.             *Toiletry kids in zip-lock bags.             *Sharing of talents in sewing, ironing, tax service, haircuts, medical and dental services.   Please contact Horace Ford at 746-0381 or Emmanuel Nkrumah at 878-0514 for more information and to volunteer.