Thursday, August 25, 2016

News You Can Use - August 2016




New Jersey Mission Group Visits 


On July 27th, LCS played host to a group of middle schoolers and their chaperones from Word of Life Lutheran Church in Southern New Jersey. During a full-day of mission work half of them worked in the garden, while the rest cleaned the choice pantry from top to bottom! During lunch Executive Director Jean Warren spoke with the group about LCS and our work in the community.

The group stayed at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church during their week in Wilmington and spent Monday the 25th cleaning and stocking the St. Stephen's pantry. We were blessed to have this amazing group with us and hope you'll join us in sending prayers of thanks to the Word of Life mission group!

Home Repair Program Offers Peace of Mind

Joanne lives in one of the old row homes you see everywhere in the City of Wilmington. The stairs from her sidewalk to her entry were treacherous and she'd taken a recent fall when she called
Program Director Aaron Ballett for help having a hand rail installed. Her income qualified her for a new handrail at no-cost thanks to a grant from National Lutheran Communities and Services. A short time later, we received a card from Joanne in which she says she is "feeling much more confident in coming [home]" and expresses her gratitude to Home Repair Specialists Ray and Charlie.

Current Fundraisers

LCS is having a customized brick installation added to our front entry area. Proceeds go to offset the cost of much needed waterproofing in the same area the bricks will be installed. Bricks can be purchased and customized for $150 either online or via mail.

Our 25th Annual Hunger Walk Run is only a month away! Registration is now open. Our online registration site makes fundraising easier than ever or if you prefer to register on paper, a form can be downloaded here. The event is always a lot of fun as evidenced by the video below. We hope you'll consider joining us at Rockford Park on September 17th!


Thursday, August 11, 2016

New you can use - July 2016

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Green Thumbs Needed


We are looking for a few green thumbs to help out with the yard work at our main office and in the community garden. Small to large groups are welcome, there is always plenty to do.

We have a garden that needs cutting back, weeds to be pulled, landscaping to be done.  If you are looking for a great gig for the kids (big kids too!) over the summer, we have the perfect outdoor activity for you!

Interested in helping out around the "yard" at LCS?  Please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Cher Frampton - 302-654-8886, x 107 or cframpton@lcsde.org.




News You Can Use June 2016


 Fun with Samples in Choice  Pantry
 LCS received a large donation of lentil 
casseroles -  ready to cook and packed with protein - but clients  kept passing them by on the shelves. To show  clients how delicious they are, LCS staff cooked up  a batch and pantry volunteer Sam donned a chef's  hat to pass out samples as people shopped. 
Sometimes All You Need is a Helping Hand
When Luz arrived at the LCS offices looking for a church she was staying with her son after moving from Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, her living situation was not what she had hoped and she needed help collecting paperwork and finding a place to live. Assistant Program Director Jean Washington drove her to the Social Security office and the Wilmington Housing Authority before bringing her back to the office to get some groceries. When Luz came the following week for more food, it was with good news; she had picked up her Social Security card, learned how to navigate the bus system and, best of all, had found an affordable apartment!
 "Sharing Way" Path Coming
 LCS is pleased to announce the "Sharing Way"  personalized brick project. Created to help offset  the cost of additional waterproofing needed at  our headquarters, the bricks will also help  beautify the front of the building once the  waterproofing is complete. Bricks can be  purchased for $150 with 3 lines of up to 20  characters (spaces and punctuation included)  each of custom text. Click here for the online ordering form.
Walk Run Organizers Needed
We're looking for people interested in helping to organize this year's 25th Annual Hunger Walk Run. If you'd like to represent your church, company, or organization at our planning meetings (two 1-hour meetings to be held between now and the Walk) please contact Steve Tindall at x. 105 or by email.
                                                                                                                                              Click to Donate
Our Contact Information
Lutheran Community Services
2809 Baynard Blvd.
Wilmington, DE 19802
302.654.8886
www.lcsde.org

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Healthy Grocery: Pinto Beans - Safeway Kitchens

Here is an interesting blog I found that just lists foods by grocery chain, brand and food groups. It gives serving size, and nutritional content. This is not an endorsement for any brands or grocery chains, but I thought it was just a nice simple blog for a quickie look-up of many food items if you are interested in nutritional content.

This link will take to the pinto bean listing, but on the right side of the page you will see a variety of other food group selections to choose from. Click on link below to check it out.

Healthy Grocery: Pinto Beans - Safeway Kitchens: Pinto beans from Safeway Kitchens.  3.5 Servings. Per Serving. Fat 0g. Fiber 9g. Sugars 2g. Protein 7g.

News You Can Use - May 2016

For Your Church Newsletter
From Lutheran Community Services                         

Editors: This information is prepared for church newsletter editors, secretaries and pastors. Your help in getting the word out is appreciated and will help LCS achieve its mission of “Sharing God’s blessings by helping others in need.” Comments about timing or content are welcome. Contact Steve Tindall (stindall@lcsde.org). 302 654 8886.

Big Plans for LCS Garden

LCS has an urban garden at its headquarters location at 2809 Boulevard in Wilmington. With spring in the air, volunteers have turned to the garden with big plans. Last year, the garden raised over 200 lbs. of produce. This year, we can expect at least twice that much since the garden size is being
doubled, with most of the energy coming from volunteers. The produce yield will be divided between LCS for its choice pantry, and Hanover Presbyterian, which helped to secure last year’s start-up grant from the Speer Trust of the New Castle Presbytery. Lead volunteer in this effort is Spencer Hoernes, a student at the University of Delaware’s Ag School. In addition to doubling the garden’s size, Spencer is working hard to make it handicapped accessible. We’ve have also been approached by an Eagle Scout who is exploring the possibility of building steps to the garden which is about 8 feet higher than the parking lot it overlooks.

Plant a Row for the Pantry

Supply problems have made it difficult for LCS and its food distribution partners to obtain fresh produce for their regular distributions. One way regular folks can play a helpful, meaningful role in this is to plant an extra row or two in their gardens. It doesn’t matter too much what they plant and bring to the pantry, as long as it is fresh and ready to be distributed to hungry low income people when it arrives. Gardeners can bring produce to LCS headquarters, or if they are closer to another of our pantry or distribution sites, they can bring it there.

Women Helping Women

About 98% of the clients for our senior home repair program are women, and the majority of them are widows. So it was great to get a $1000 donation for the program from a woman who has a special place in her heart for those in need of a home repair – a broken window, a  new lock, grab bars, or whatever we can do to make them feel safe and secure in their homes..

New Format for LCS News Coming In June 2016! Watch for It!


Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Help Needed - Food Drive Coordinators

LCS is in need of individuals who are willing to run food drives to help with the growing demand for food at our new Choice Pantry located at 2809 Baynard Blvd in Wilmington.

Food comes to us for the Choice Pantry at this time from two sources,The Food Bank of Delaware and private donations/food drives. Our shelves are growing thin as awareness of our pantry is growing in the community.

We need folks who are willing to do food drives on a regular basis, or every once in awhile or even just once. Any size big or small is welcome, every bit helps.  Or perhaps you have a gift in recruiting others to also hold food drives! The nice thing about food drives is you can make it as simple or as creative as you like.

We have developed an LCS Food Drive Kit which has information for students who are trying to earn their high school credit in volunteer hours. It also explains some of the do's and don'ts even touches on how to use social media when having a food drive.

If you would be interested in holding a food drive, click on the image below to open up a PDF file of our food drive kit that you can down load or print off. Contact me, Cher Frampton at 302-654-8886 x 107 or cframpton@lcsde.org with questions and a list of currently needed food items.


 Click Image Below for Food Drive Kit

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Volunteer Openings Available Now...

Immediate Openings at St. Stephen's Pantry - Trolley Square and Choice Pantry on Baynard Blvd.

Lutheran Community Services (LCS) is currently seeking volunteers to work in our St. Stephen’s Food Pantry on N. Broom Street, near Trolley Square and at our Choice Pantry at our main headquarters on Baynard Blvd. in Wilmington.

St. Stephen's Pantry is looking for individuals for all shifts but the greater need is for Fridays 9am - 12pm and the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 4:30-7:00 pm.
St.Stephen Pantry hours are 9am to 12pm
 and the pantry is open Monday – Friday
and 4 - 7 pm on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. 

Duties include stocking, bagging, filling referral requests from clients, and helping with shipments. Schedules are flexible and you can work as many days as you like. St. Stephen’s Pantry serves approximately 25,000 individuals a year, our largest and busiest pantry. 

Our Choice Pantry located at our main headquarters at 2809 Baynard Blvd and is open on Monday,Wednesday and Friday, shifts are from 12:30 - 3:00 pm. Duties include; greeting and assisting clients with filling out forms, stocking shelves and assisting clients with shopping selections. Choice is the newest to our family of food distribution sites and growing every week.

We are also continuing our efforts with food drives, as we are in need of food for all of our stationary pantry locations. If working at one of our pantries does not fit into your schedule, please consider organizing a food drive though your church, club, or employer. If you would like to help out and know that you are making a difference please contact the LCS Volunteer Coordinator, Cher Frampton at 302-654-8886 x 107 or cframpton@lcsde.org to set up an interview.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

News You Can Use - April 2016

From Lutheran Community Services                          

Editors: This information is prepared for church newsletter editors, secretaries and pastors. Your help in getting the word out is appreciated and will help LCS achieve its mission of “Sharing God’s blessings by helping others in need.” Comments about timing or content are welcome. Contact Steve Tindall (stindall@lcsde.org). 302 654 8886.

Gimme Shelter Golf Tourney May 20!

This year’s Gimme Shelter Golf Tournament is set for May 20, and 100 golfers are being sought. The 2016 event takes place at Ed Oliver’s Golf Course in Wilmington on May 20, and will feature a shotgun start. If you are interested, contact tournament director Larry Friday at
302 438 1290 or fridayla@msn.com. Many registrants are from area Lutheran and non-Lutheran churches, but you don’t need a church to register. All Are Welcome! Go to www.lcsde.org to download a form. The golf tournament benefits LCS’s homelessness prevention programs.

Walk Run Plans Begin for September 17

The annual LCS Walk Run Against Hunger will take place in Rockford Park on Saturday September 17. Lutheran and non-Lutheran teams alike will participate and vie for fundraising honors, prizes, and free T-shirts. If you are interested in getting involved or helping to organize this year’s event, contact Steve Tindall – stindall@lcsde.org or 302 654 8886 x105. Again, all are welcome. The Walk Run Against Hunger benefits LCS’s emergency food programs.

And Don’t Forget This Year’s Breakfast – May 4

Each year over 300 people gather at the Dupont Country Club for LCS’s annual Room at the Table Free Fundraising Breakfast. Each Lutheran Church should have a Table Captain. If you are interested in attending, contact your Table Captain, or Steve Tindall at stindall@lcsde.org, or 302 654 8886 x105. The breakfast raises money for LCS’s general/operating funds.

Home Repair Program Lauded


In a recent letter to Program Director Aaron Ballett, one of our home repair clients said it was “difficult to adequately express my gratitude and appreciation” for LCS’s assistance with her plumbing repairs. What’s more, she gave a thank you and a nod to the repair specialist “for his pleasant professionalism and awesome plumbing skills.” What an endorsement! This program is designed for senior homeowners most of whom are low income and definitely in need.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Help Wanted - Staff Opening at LCS

This is not a volunteer position, this is a paid staff position...


Lutheran Community Services is seeking a full-time Smoking Cessation Voucher Coordinator.

Help people with their quit attempt by phoning eligible clients and faxing vouchers for medications to pharmacies. Excellent telephone and customer service skills and knowledge of MS Office and Access essential. Non-smoker. Bi-lingual English and Spanish preferred.

Send resume and cover letter by 3/11/16 to LCS, 2809 Baynard Blvd., Wilmington, DE 19802 or email
info@lcsde.org.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Immediate Openings at St. Stephen's Pantry - Trolley Square

Lutheran Community Services (LCS) is currently seeking volunteers to work in our St. Stephen’s Food Pantry on N. Broom Street, near Trolley Square in Wilmington. 

Hours are 9am to 12pm and the pantry is open Monday – Friday
and 4 - 7 pm on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. 

Duties include stocking, bagging, filling referral requests from clients, and helping with shipments. Schedules are flexible and you can work as many days as you like. St. Stephen’s Pantry serves approximately 25,000 individuals a year, our largest and busiest pantry. 

We are also continuing our efforts with food drives, as we are in need of food for all of our stationary pantry locations. If working at one of our pantries does not fit into your schedule, please consider organizing a food drive though your church, club, or employer. If you would like to help out and know that you are making a difference please contact the LCS Volunteer Coordinator, Cher Frampton at 302-654-8886 x 107 or cframpton@yahoo.com to set up an interview.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Volunteer Open House!

Join the Fun at the LCS Open House

This is our annual celebration for our many fine volunteers.
Come celebrate the opening of our new 
"Choice Pantry!"

Sunday, February 28, 2016

From 1:00 until 4:00 in the Afternoon

Lutheran Community Services
2809 Baynard Blvd, Wilmington, DE 19802 

Bring a Friend and PLEASE RSVP!
302-654-8886, x 102
Or send us an email - info@lcsde.org
We have directions if you need them.


Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Volunteer Staff Needed for New Choice Pantry & Food Drive Help Fight Hunger ...

Join us as a volunteer at the new “Choice Pantry” at the Lutheran Community Services headquarters at 2809 Baynard Blvd. Wilmington DE, 19802.


The Choice Pantry is designed so LCS clients can “shop” for food. Clients select a specified number of items from each nutrition food group. The Pantry ensures that the clients receive food that will enable well-balanced, nutritious meals.

When?

Volunteers are needed Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. 

Why?
Studies show that personal food choice has a positive impact on a person’s self-esteem and can be a part of this meaningful experience.

And...

We are also continuing our Food Drive that we held through December to help get us some start up food for the choice pantry through January. We got a lot of great donations sent our way December - January and we are hoping for more blessings to continue coming in. 

Volunteer Today!

Volunteer today at the Choice Pantry! Experienced or not, we would love to talk with you about fitting into our pantry team, or start a food drive to help keep food coming in to the pantry. Either way, any and all help is so greatly needed and even more so appreciated!

For more information, or to schedule an interview please call Cher Frampton 302-302-654-8886 x 107 office or cframpton@lcsde.org

We look forward to hearing from YOU!

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Food for Thought

“Want to have a tour of our new facility and Choice Pantry? We would love to give you one! Below is the winter/spring schedule for our Food For Thought Tours. Call us today to arrange a tour and come out to see all of the great new and exciting things LCS is doing for the community.”









Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Volunteer Staff Needed for New Choice Pantry & Food Drive

Help Fight Hunger ...

Join us as a volunteer at the new “Choice Pantry” at the Lutheran Community Services headquarters at 2809 Baynard Blvd. Wilmington DE, 19802.

The Choice Pantry is designed so low-income clients can “shop” for food, . Clients select a specified number of items from each nutrition food group. The Pantry ensures that the clients receive food that will enable well-balanced, nutritious meals.
When?

Volunteers are needed Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. The pantry is scheduled to open on February 1st and there is a volunteer training scheduled for Wednesday, January 27th at 1 p.m.
1
Why?
Studies show that personal food choice has a positive impact on a person’s self-esteem and can be a part of this meaningful experience.

And...

We are also extending our Holiday Food Drive that we held through December to help get us some start up food for the choice pantry through January. We got a lot of great donations sent our in December and we are hoping for more blessings to continue coming in. 


Volunteer Today!

Volunteer today at the Choice Pantry! Experienced or not, we would love to talk with you about fitting into our pantry team, or start a food drive to help kick start things off. Either way, any and all help is so greatly needed and even more so appreciated!

For more information, please call Cher Frampton 302-302-654-8886 x 107 office or cframpton@lcsde.org

We look forward to hearing from YOU!