Thread by @EngagedPureLand

Midwest Buddhist Temple: "While the temple provides the venue and the opportunity to listen to the Dharma and to study the Buddha’s teachings...it also aims to provide assistance for the welfare of the community beyond the circle of the Sangha.

"As the central focus of the community, the temple and its ministers and members have a responsibility to society at large." This manifests in many ways.
They advise people to help Afghan refugees resettle in the US by donating time and money to RefugeeOne
refugeeone.org

Since 2009, temple volunteers have made more than 1,150 sleeping mats for the homeless, which are distributed by Cornerstone Community Outreach and their partners in the Chicago Uptown neighborhood. This part of the New Life for Old Bags program.

The temple staff collects and delivers nonperishable food items to St. Cyprian’s Food Pantry every week. The Dharma School collects used towels and blankets to donate to animal shelters.

Members collect and donate warm clothing, scarves, hats and gloves to Sarah's Circle, a women's shelter. They have a collection bin located in the Social Hall with lists of toiletries and other items that are currently in high demand or items to be replenished regularly.

Once a month they make sandwich bags to give to Sarah’s Circle as well as other needy individuals around the city. At least twice a year (including near Christmas Eve), MBT members gather to make and serve a hot meal at Sarah’s Circle.

Clothing, toiletries, and meals are also distributed to the North Side Housing and Supportive Services men's shelter. Additionally, they also make sandwich bags for a tent city south of the Loop and a men’s hotel located in downtown Chicago.