Each year we invite the church to participate in giving an extra gift during the season of Advent to a few of our ministry partners. This year, your generosity will support the following organizations and causes:

• Second Harvest of Silicon Valley has been making a difference in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties for almost fifty years. In their mission to end hunger, they provide food to families, multi-generational households, seniors and college students. For the last five years, The River has partnered with Second Harvest to provide groceries to a nearby community. In the new year, we are hoping to partner in even more tangible ways!
  
  
• Tal Como Soy (translated “Just as I Am”) is the first Evangelical Covenant Church in the Caribbean and the first hip-hop church in the Dominican Republic. Their founders, José and Tammi Hernandez, felt called to create a place for those that did not feel welcomed by the traditional church culture. This year we sent a team of 13 youth and 3 adults to host a day camp for the children of Santo Domingo. Our desire this Advent season is to continue to support Tal Como Soy as they expand from the converted house in which they currently meet to a larger community center.
  
  
• As the war continues in the Middle East, an enormous humanitarian crisis is emerging. We have seen Jews, Muslims, and Christians all be affected by the violence, with many needing immediate medical support and food supplies. Covenant World Relief & Development (CWRD) is the Evangelical Covenant Church’s response to human suffering and injustice in the world. This Advent season, we will be partnering with them in their commitment to ensure that aid gets to those most in need, regardless of race, religion, or creed.