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The Social Action Committee reaches out to those who are socially or economically disadvantaged. The committee aims to take action in three ways: provide hands-on help to groups or individuals in need; provide educational opportunities around issues of social and economic justice; contribute financial support to programs where church members are actively involved. The Sharing Foundation, House of Hope, Habitat for Humanity and Open Pantry, are some of the organizations which benefit from the involvement of the FRS community. In addition, each year the church donates Thanksgiving dinners and personal gifts for a number of needy families associated with the Stoklosa School in Lowell. The committee has focused much of its effort on Lowell because of the city’s close proximity and the enormous need there. In celebration of the church’s 250th anniversary, the committee is organizing a service trip to New Orleans in February 2008. This is a large, active committee that always welcomes new members and ideas. The Sharing Foundation House of Hope Habitat for Humanity Members of the church volunteer at a local Habitat site one Saturday a month or join a crew that works every Tuesday. In addition, church members support regional fundraising efforts as well as run local fundraisers, such as “buy-a-board” at the Harvest Fair. The social action committee periodically invites a speaker from Habitat of Lowell to inform the congregation of their activities and also contributes a portion of their budget to Habitat.
Each Tuesday, a member of the First Religious Society works at the Open Pantry in Lowell. They join a crew of others who select and bag a selection of groceries for those who arrive in need of food. Each Sunday, children at the church are encouraged to bring a donation of food or money which is collected and delivered to the Open Pantry. Periodically, there is a special collection or fundraiser for Open Pantry and the social action committee always donates a portion of their budget to this cause.
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FRS
has supported the House of Hope in a number of ways over the years. The House
of Hope is located in Lowell and provides transitional housing and counseling
to their “guests” who include single parents and children. Each year,
the social action committee purchases items for 50 Christmas stockings, including
the 18 parents, and FRS youth make a donation to “purchase” the items
and stuff the stockings. Women in The Sharing Foundation sewing program in Cambodia
make the velvet stockings.
The
First Religious Society has supported the work of Habitat for Humanity in Lowell
for many years, working with them to provide housing for those who otherwise could
not afford it. 
Open
Pantry