Ministries

OUMC routinely provides nearly 70 breakfasts and lunches for children who attend Galena Elementary School. For many of these children, the only regular source of food they receive is from the school meal service. The backpack ministry uses a combination of food donated from the Maryland Food Bank and purchased directly and the backpacks that are provided to these children provide breakfast and lunch for weekends and holidays when school meals are not provided. No child should have to know hunger and the backpack program helps to provide much needed assistance.

On at least a monthly basis, OUMC prepares fresh lunches and deserts and delivers them throughout the town of Galena and to surrounding areas, primarily to the elderly and to people who are recovering from hospital stays or from chronic health conditions. Volunteers prepare all the food in the Church kitchen and a network of volunteers helps to deliver the meals.

OUMC collects coats, jackets and sweatshirts throughout the year and then sells them for a nominal amount on a single day in the fall with all proceeds benefiting Galena Elementary School. Coats and jackets that are not sold at the coat drive event are given away in conjunction with the MD Mobile Food Pantry events.

OUMC actively participates in the “shoebox” program known as Operation Christmas Child, which is a major international outreach effort sponsored by Franklin Graham. While each recipient of an Operation Christmas Child “shoebox” receives small gifts, toiletry items and everyday items like wash cloths, socks hats and gloves, they are introduced to the love of Jesus in their native language.

OUMC partners with the MD Mobile Food Pantry on a regular basis when the food pantry sets up in the Olivet parking lot. The mobile food pantry is stocked with fresh and frozen protein, canned goods, fresh produce, baked goods and shelf-stable food “staples”. The food pantry provides a walk-through food giveaway that is not means-tested that provides free food and supplies to families in need.

OUMC hosts an annual Vacation Bible School for children of all ages that includes age-appropriate worship, games and crafts in the evenings for a week in the summer recess.

Each summer, OUMC hosts an annual classic car show that attracts dozens of local and regional classic cars, restorations, hot-rods and street rods. The event includes a silent auction, food sales, music and prize giveaways and serves as a major fundraiser for the Church.