Did you ever wonder what exactly we collect at COA and where these collections take place?
Our largest collections for special ministries take place in the LARGE Apostles Caring Cart which is in the Narthex near the couches and coffee bar. Those collections change throughout the year with various ministries that we do for community and global outreach. Please check out our current collections below.
Current Outreach Collections
Cozy Coats & Warm Winter Gear
This fall, we’re expanding our Cozy Coats for Kids collection to help more children stay warm through the winter. In addition to new and gently used coats and jackets for children from preschool through 8th grade, we’ll also be collecting new hats, gloves, scarves, and socks. Every item donated helps provide a little extra warmth and care to a child in our community.
You can place your donations in the Caring Cart in the Narthex by the coffee station throughout October and November. We’ll collect through the end of November, then distribute the coats and winter gear to children at Wheatland Elementary and Martin Elementary Schools in Lancaster City before the first winter storms (hopefully!) arrive. Thank you for helping us wrap local children in warmth and care this season!
Year Round Outreach Collections
From helping individuals to turning trash into blessings, there is always a way to give in support of Christ’s work. For year-round opportunities to donate, see below.
Non-Perishable Food Collections
We have partnered with Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Landisville, which served 1,541 people in February 2025. To better support our community, all collected items will be donated to the Hempfield Area Food Pantry, which serves higher-demand populations. Donations can be placed in the marked cart in the coat room.
Current greatest needs: canned meat, tomato paste, soups, cereal, and peanut butter.
Cancelled Postage Stamps
Support the Stamps for the Wounded project by donating your canceled postage stamps at the church office. Since 1942, this program has been sending stamps to U.S. veterans across the country, offering stamp collecting as a therapeutic and engaging activity for those recovering in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. It’s a simple way to bring comfort, connection, and purpose to those who have served. To learn more about the impact of this program and how you can help, visit their website.
Organic Matter for Compost
Your leftover food scraps, vegetable peelings, and coffee grounds can do more than just fill the trash—they can nourish our Seeds of Hope Garden! Compost is an excellent source of nutrients that helps our vegetables thrive. These fresh, healthy vegetables are then donated to the Hempfield Area Food Pantry to support our neighbors in need. You can help by placing your compostable items in the compost bin located next to the Seeds of Hope shed in Rader Park.
Donations to the Lancaster Pet Pantry
Donations of gently used towels, blankets, unopened dry or wet pet food, and other gently used pet supplies can be placed in the designated bin in the donations closet, located in the coat room off the narthex.
The Pet Pantry of Lancaster County helps local families care for their pets by providing essential resources. With your support, they can continue ensuring pets in our community have warm beds, full bellies, and loving homes.
Recycling Aluminum Cans
At the Youth Center (1899 Apostle Way), you’ll find a designated bin for aluminum can recycling near the lower entrance. When the bin fills up, a volunteer takes the cans to a local recycling center where we earn money by the pound (about 60 cents per pound—prices vary). Since it takes roughly 34 cans to make a pound, every donation adds up! Proceeds go directly toward our outreach efforts and supporting our community.
