For 10 years, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church members have been making just such an impact through the Apple Tree Project.   Our church, through the Community Outreach Committee, used to supply school supplies to the children at the apartments on Ruddell Street .  But in 2005, the Committee decided to affiliate with the citywide Apple Tree Project sponsored by Interfaith Ministries of Denton.  The Apple Tree Project identifies families who are struggling financially and unable to provide the back-to-school essentials for their children.   Interfaith Ministries also uses grants to help purchase school supplies and shoes in bulk economically to assist more families.

   Denton ISD estimates 43% of enrolled children live in poverty as defined by the Federal Poverty Guidelines. That's more than 11,417 children in our community.  To address that need, the Apple Tree Project strives to provide each participating child with (1) a complete set of school supplies, (2) a new backpack, (3)  two sets of new school uniforms/clothes, and  (4) a new pair of shoes.  Through participation in the project, St. Andrew members have sponsored around 40 to 50 children per year since 2005 in addition to financial donations to the project.  That means that we as a church have touched the lives of over 500 children in the past ten years.  Think of all the "ripples in the pond" that we have created!

   Sunday, July 19 is the deadline date for this year's donations to Apple Tree.  Many of you have already selected apples to sponsor a child's clothing; others have donated money that will assist with school supplies and shoes.    If you have not yet contributed, you may do so through the Sunday church offering.  Just direct your donation to "Apple Tree."  You may never know directly how many lives you will touch or what impact you may have, but, in donating,  you will know that you do touch and shape the future.  The Community Outreach Committee and Interfaith Ministries thank you for your support.

Second Annual Men's Cake Bake
   On Sunday, July 19, in Fellowship Hall following the 10am worship service, all men are encouraged to bring a cake by 9am that morning for judging.  Awards will be given to Best Decorated, Best Tasting, Most Unusual and Grand Prize Winner. 

   After the success and fun of last summer's "coffee hour" after Sunday worship, we will do it again this summer! Each Sunday different groups will provide some treats for you to share. If possible, please use disposable plates/dishes for the treats.  If the plate/dish is not disposable, you may pick it up in the Narthex workroom later, so please make sure your name is on it. Extras will be frozen for later use and not wasted.

July 19 - Men's Cake Bake July 26 - N,O,P  August 2 - Q,R August 9 - S

August 16 - T,U,V  August 23 - W,X,Y,Z     August 31 - M

Membership Directories Are Still Available!
   Please check in the workroom off of the Narthex to see if you have a membership directory with your name on it.  If you do not find one with your address label on it, please feel free to take one of them that doesn't have a label.  We would appreciate it if you would put your name on the clipboard so we will know you received one.
   If you make a donation to help offset the cost, we thank you very much!

Help With the Apple Tree Project
   The Community Outreach Committee is sponsoring the Apple Tree Project at Saint Andrew to help needy children be ready for the start of school for 2015-16.  This citywide project coordinated by Interfaith Ministries is a program for the community to help low-income Denton ISD children receive school supplies, shoes, and school clothing for the start of school.  The Apple Tree Project will begin on June 7 and continue through July 19 at Saint Andrew.  You can help in 2 ways: (1) by donating money through your offering directed on your envelope to the Interfaith Ministries Apple Tree Project or (2) by choosing a child's name from the apple tree in the Narthex and buying 2 sets of clothing for him or her. 

Be a AFS Host Family
   St. Andrew has been approached by AFS to try to find host families for foreign exchange students for the 2015-2016 school year.  The organization provides cultural exchange opportunities for the Denton area communities and the host family along with the visiting student.  The students will be enrolled in Denton area high schools and will be in Denton from August to the end of June. They have their own spending money and have health insurance through AFS.  
   It is not necessary to host the student for an entire year, you may host a semester or even a 6-12 week time period.  It is not necessary to have high school age children in the home in order to be a host.   
   If you might be interested in hosting a student, you can go onto the AFS website ( www.afsusa.org) for additional information about being a host family.  You can also contact the Lewisville-Denton hosting individual Rebecca Cartier at rcartier@afsusa.org or by calling 646-381-3328.