The missions & outreach team at Sandy Springs UMC offers members and guests of all ages and abilities the opportunity to get involved in reaching out to the community. We work with many community groups and organizations to reach out and share the love of God in tangible ways.
Lenten Book Drive
What if every child in Sandy Springs had books of their own to read and enjoy?
During Lent, we’re collecting new and/or gently used children’s and young adult books to benefit the Sandy Springs Education Force (SSEF). SSEF distributes 10,000 books annually to public school students who may not have access to books at home. From Sunday, Feb. 22, through Sunday, April 5, please bring your books to donate in bins at the Abernathy Arts Center. After Easter, we'll donate these books to SSEF.
SSEF is espeially in in need of elementary and young adult chapter books, graphic novels, and any children’s books in Spanish.
Our most requested books include:
The Five Nights at Freddy’s series by Scott Cowthon
The Baby-Sitter Club graphic novels and book series
Wings of Fire series
I Survived… series
Magic Treehouse series
Fly Guy series
Owl Diaries series
Nikki and Deja series
Dogman series
Who Would Win series
Hunger Games series
Harry Potter series
Gary Paulsen books
Rick Riordan’s series
They cannot accept religious books or books that have yellowed or mildewed pages.
Backpack Buddies
We’re excited to continue Backpack Buddies weekly in the Lake Forest Elementary School basement in 2026. We gather most Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. to pack 100 bags of food for students. Whether you can carry heavy boxes, unbox and organize food, or simply join the assembly line to bag items, there’s a role for you.
Questions? Email Emma Palmer: epalmer@ssumc.org.
Solidary Serve Saturday
Join us on Saturday, Feb. 28, as we volunteer with Solidarity Sandy Springs to support food-insecure families in our area. Solidarity Sandy Springs works to address food insecurity by connecting neighbors in need with essential resources and building a network of care. Whether you're passionate about service, want to meet your neighbors, or are simply looking for a meaningful way to make a difference, this is a wonderful opportunity to put our faith into action. All ages welcome.