In addition to our Social Justice action programs, our congregation makes direct contributions of money and goods to Ann Arbor area community groups. For over 50 years a special endowment fund, the Jackson Social Welfare Fund, has provided funding to groups that apply for support for first amendment rights or peaceful conflict resolution programs. The "Sharing the Collection" program shares money collected at Sunday services with community service organizations who apply for funding. We have a permanent collection center for books that are donated to prison facilities and for food to distribute to area hunger programs.

Food Buckets

Canned and dried food collection buckets can always be found in the hallway between the front door and the Fahs chapel. Donations are divided among several hunger programs in the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area.

Contact: Margie Teall, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Jackson Social Welfare Fund

The Jackson Social Welfare Fund of the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor provides funding for “... advancing the understanding and acceptance of the great principles of the First Amendment ... and for the promotion of the use of reason and understanding in ... solving in a peaceful manner domestic and international difficulties and conflicts.” The First Amendment reads:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Ann Arbor community organizations dedicated to promoting First Amendment rights as well as organizations promoting peaceful conflict resolution may apply for funding.

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Sharing the Collection

For over a decade, UUAA has had a Sharing the Collection program of community outreach and support. On the first Sunday of each month, our collection is donated to nonprofit community service organizations to support their important work.

Learn more about Sharing the Collection.

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Prison Books

UUAA continues an active participation in a small group Ministry to collect and distribute used books to State/County Correctional Facilities. We accept (undamaged) books for redistribution to our confined readers in several key facilities.

Started in 2006, the PRISON BOOKS group has increased our Congregation's donations from about 500 in 2006 to 1100 in 2007....and 4600 for 2008. The target for 2009 is 6000 delivered books. The UU group has "connected" with the Huron Valley State Prison Facilities, Coldwater State Facilities, Maxey State Facilities, Jackson State Facilities, and Washtenaw County Jail and Youth Home facilities.

Learn about ways to get involved.

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