Our goal is to serve the community as a whole and provide services that reach out to those that need assistance in various areas of their lives. The Del Norte Ministerial Alliance is a collaborative of four churches in the community of Del Norte. The Alliance was organized to meet the needs of travelers who were passing through Del Norte and needed assistance with things like gas, food and lodging. Since then it has expanded to assist the residents of the town of Del Norte with emergency funds in many areas of need. The contributions from the churches and private citizens has been a blessing and refreshing to those whom it has helped. The alliance has helped many of the residents with issues such as shutoff notices and eviction notices. Our support is not as much as we would like it to be but it helps to keep things going. At times it just takes a little to avert a potential disaster and may make a difference while finances may be limited. Many of those that receive help are very grateful for such a fund. Some even volunteer to help support the alliance with service other than financial. We have the opportunity to address other issues such as are listed on our form for assistance. People have the option to note on the form that they are wanting more help than just financial. It is an opportunity to help them with personal issues and even to pray for and with them. The Ministerial Alliance also links up the four churches in the community to have worships services that are geared to the public. These services put aside denominational differences to focus on the similarities and the person of Jesus Christ. Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving and Covered Wagon Days are some of the events on the calendar that are made more significant through public corporate worship as the churches and the community gather together to engage in a time of fellowship and fun. The alliance is wonderful way to meet needs in the community as a partnership of churches verses one church trying to do it all. The strength of many yields more options than just the one entity who struggles with trying to provide much for all.

The Bread Ministry
The Bread Ministry began when the ministerial alliance was asked if the churches could use bread to help feed the community. At first there was hesitation due to logistical matters. Soon what started out to be a few trays of bread weekly has grown into 36 trays weekly, not bad for a small community such as ours. The bread has found its way to some of the neighboring communities such as South Fork and Monte Vista. It also goes to some of the venues within the community and helps seniors, children and families. The bread is high quality and comes in many varieties. This is yet another avenue of providing assistance to the community. Many that come to receive the bread and sweets are very grateful and thankful for this ministry. Every week we help provide nutrition through the giving of bread. In an area where poverty is evident, the bread helps to fight hunger. Many families cannot afford to buy this high end bread and so it is a blessing to see them when they rummage through the trays to find their personal favorites. It is a special feeling to watch children walk out with their own package of bread with a huge smile on their faces. We are committed to the reaching out to the community and bread is one way to help to meet the needs within this community. The blessing is all ours just to see happy faces of approval.