Outreach

Lighten Their Load

In partnership with CLILA, St. Mark's offers Lighten Their Load, a community outreach ministry that provides free laundry services on designated dates throughout the year for individuals and families in need. This simple act of service helps ease a financial burden while offering dignity, compassion, and care to our neighbors.

Rice & Beans Drive

Each spring and fall, St. Mark's partners with CLILA to collect rice and beans for distribution to families in our local community experiencing food insecurity. Your donations help provide essential pantry staples to those struggling to put food on the table.

Angel Tree Ministry

Each Christmas, St. Mark's participates in the Angel Tree Ministry in partnership with the Family Support Council. The Council provides the names of grandparents and other caregivers who are raising children and could use extra support during the holiday season.

Parishioners purchase gift cards for educational toys, books, clothing, and other necessities. These gift cards are displayed on our Angel Tree and are distributed before Christmas, helping make the season brighter for local children and their families.

Learn more about the Family Support Council at: https://www.familysupportcouncil.org/

Al-Anon Meetings

Al-Anon meets weekly in St. Mark's Parish Hall.

If you or someone you know is affected by another person's drinking, Al-Anon offers hope, encouragement, and support in a confidential, welcoming environment.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

For information about our Al-Anon meetings, please contact the St. Mark's parish office.

DEO Clinic

The DEO Clinic was founded in 2008 by a group of St. Mark's parishioners who recognized the need for free medical care for uninsured and underinsured residents of Whitfield and Murray Counties. Since then, the clinic has grown into an independent nonprofit organization located at the Mack Gaston Community Center.

St. Mark's continues to support this vital ministry through financial contributions, volunteer service, and by partnering to host the annual Spring into Wellness health fair. More than 22 St. Mark's parishioners volunteer their time to support the clinic's mission.

DEO Clinic was also the recipient of the Second Ellen Andersen Neighboring Award, presented to the organization that best exemplifies St. Mark's mission and core values while making a transformative impact on the lives of those it serves.

Interested in volunteering or learning more? Visit DEO Clinic at http://deoclinic.org.

Green Space & Adopt-a-Mile

St. Mark's is committed to caring for God's creation by being a faithful steward of our church property and participating in community beautification efforts.

One of these projects is our Nature Trail, created through the hard work of St. Mark's parishioners and residents of the neighboring apartment community. The trail provides a peaceful place for walking, prayer, reflection, and enjoying the beauty of God's creation.

In addition, St. Mark's participates in an Adopt-a-Mile program, helping to keep our local roadsides clean and demonstrating our commitment to caring for our community and the environment.

Birdfeeder Pantry

St. Mark's supports the Dalton State Birdfeeder Pantry by collecting nonperishable food, personal hygiene products, and, on occasion, handmade quilts created by our Quilting Group. These donations help Dalton State students experiencing food insecurity and other financial hardships.

Meals on Wheels

For more than twenty years, St. Mark's parishioners have faithfully delivered meals through the local Meals on Wheels program to homebound members of our community.

In addition to providing nutritious meals, our volunteers offer companionship and a caring presence to those they serve. They also help identify individuals who may need additional assistance, ensuring concerns are communicated to Meals on Wheels staff so that further support can be provided when needed.

Through this ministry, St. Mark's continues to share Christ's love by serving our neighbors with compassion, dignity, and care.