New you can use - July 2016

Community Garden Harvest LCS staff have completed the first harvest of the season. Our community garden yielded over 45 pounds of onions, 8.25 pounds of collard greens, 6.6 pounds of green beans, and 5.5 pounds of herbs, which were subsequently distributed at the pantry at Hanover Presbyterian Church and our own Choice Pantry. More vegetables continue to grow and we look forward to future harvests, including tomatoes and chard.  If you're interested in volunteering in our Community Garden, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Cher Frampton. We'll also happily accept donations of excess produce from home gardens! Smoking Cessation Program Participant Excited for Future Assistant Program Director, Kathy Swanson spoke with John, a longtime Lutheran who had been smoking three packs a day. He was excited about how much money quitting was going to save him. When Kathy asked him what he was going to do with the extra, he immediately answered, "Pay my bills!" After a short pause, and with a smile she could hear over the phone, he added, "I'm going to buy more stuff for my kids." Quilters Needed LCS is looking for one or more quilters to help us with a special project for this year's 25th Annual Walk Run. If you, or someone you know, is interested in helping put together a special anniversary prize, please contact Assistant Marketing Director Heather Teig. Quilt squares and notions will be provided.

Brick Fundraiser

Make a Lasting Donation AND Help LCS Finish Its New Building By Purchasing an Engraved Brick Adjacent to the Front Entrance...

Click Here to order your brick today!

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/lcsi/event/769978/?blm_aid=27824

Gardening Help Wanted...

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.

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Our Contact Information Lutheran Community Services 2809 Baynard Blvd. Wilmington, DE 19802 302.654.8886 www.lcsde.org

Do More 24

                     https://domore24delaware.com/npos/lutheran-community-services-inc

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.”

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!

LCS Holiday Food Drive 2015

News Journal - Hunger In Delaware May Be Getting Worse

The number of people on food stamps in Delaware has dropped slightly over the last few years, but there are still people so hungry that they start eating out of their donation bag even before leaving a food pantry in Wilmington.

“Even with produce, they’ll sit down and start eating,” said Joseph Hickey, director of St. Patrick’s Center on the east side of the city.

People living in that kind of poverty are often overlooked, but they are living in Delaware and the deep poverty that has gripped them is spreading, Hickey said.

The percentage of people living below the federal poverty line across the state is ...

Click Here for Complete Article

News You Can Use

For Your Church Newsletter

From Lutheran Community Services      December 2015

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.

Holiday Food Drive: LCS is the proud recipient of many food drives throughout the year, but right now we are asking people participate in our 2015 Holiday Food Drive which will stock our new “choice” pantry at our headquarters at 2809 Baynard Boulevard. It’s virtually complete, and the empty shelves are ready to be filled. There are two main ways you can participate. First, by giving. We need all manner of nonperishables but especially appreciate things like tuna, canned meats, peanut butter and cereal. Another way to participate in a food drive is by having one yourself! It’s not for everyone, but some of us have a special gift for organizing and collecting for hungry people, especially during the holidays. We can help you get started. LCS will begin collecting for its Holiday Food Drive on December 4. We are open from 8 to 4. It’s best to call ahead. If you need to deliver at another time, we can make an appointment.

Pantry Volunteers Wanted: Pantry volunteers are needed at St. Stephen’s Pantry and the new “choice” pantry noted above. Call Cher Frampton at 302 654 8886 x107.

Smokers Rejoice: Kathy Swanson who manages the LCS Smoking Cessation Program collects testimonials from the people we have helped with free pharmaceutical aids. Take just one example, Melissa:  “I haven’t had a cigarette since August 6, and I thank LCS and the Quit Line for my success…I feel so much better now. My house is clean. Food tastes different and everything smells better.” What a great way to enjoy the holidays!

Rental Assistance: Sabrina came to us after her son was born.  She had to take some time off work, but did not get paid for it. Trying to catch up on the bills was a challenge, and she fell behind in her rent. Then she heard about LCS. To make a long story short, Sabrina was able to leave LCS with not only rental assistance but also coats for her newborn and kindergartener and toys for both that she can wrap up for Christmas.  Next week, Sabrina will be starting a better paying job, and is thankful for all her gifts.   The coats were provided by St. Marks and Grace of God Lutheran Churches. The toys were provided by Jane Ramsey and David Amos. And the financial assistance was provided by you – our wonderful donors.

Volunteer Opportunities at St. Stephen's Pantry

HELP IS NEEDED NOW!

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. 

If you would like to help and know 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.

News You Can Use - October 2015

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.

Hunger Walk Run Results

While funds will continue to trickle in, as of Tuesday, September 22, 2015, the amount raised at the annual LCS Hunger Walk Run was $38,538.27.  You can expect that number to continue to rise and reach approximately $40,000, which is $10,000 less than last year’s $50,000-plus effort. In any event, it was a wonderful day for a great event, which a lot of people thoroughly enjoyed – while they helped raise money for the LCS pantry system.

The church that brought the most people and got the award for the greatest turnout was St. Mark’s. Their group totaled 38 people. The second greatest turnout was a tie between Faith and Grace, which each brought 21 people. Third place in the greatest turnout category was also a tie, between Concordia and Good Shepherd, which each brought 18 people. The church that raised the most money was perennial winner Grace, with $13,727.27. The church which raised second most money was St. Mark’s with $6,697. Third place in terms of money raised went to St. Paul’s with $3,047.  The church that had the greatest participation was Concordia, which brought a number equal to 10.98% of their congregation. Second greatest participation went to Faith, with 8.43% of its congregation, while third went to St. Mark’s, with 7.42%.

The individual winner for the greatest amount raised was perennial winner (just like Grace, where she attends) Jan Hufnal. She raised $5,895 – breaking her own record set last year when she raised $5,130.  The adult raising the second most ($3,072) was James Nichol, from St. Mark’s. Third place went to Cheri Simons, from St. Paul’s, who raised $2,195.

Youth fundraisers were led by Dan Luettgen from Grace, who – following in Jan’s footsteps – raised $3,896! Hope Munson from Grace was second with $1,030. Third place in the youth fundraisers category went to Rachel Ierien,of Good Shepherd who raised $405.

The Youth Run 5K Race Against Hunger provided lots of excitement, as always. The girl’s winner was Jillian Boettler, who came in with a time of 31:44. Second place in the girl’s category went to Megan Derrickson (34:00). Third place went to Riley Keller (34:37). The boy’s winner was Josh Fickes with a time of 21:15. Second place for the boys went to Dan Luettgen (23:17), and third went to George Smallwood with a time of 45:32.
We want to extend our greatest appreciation to DJ GREEN, for answering our last minute post on
Facebook.  On September 16 we founded ourselves in the dire need on finding a DJ for the event. He was gracious enough to come and provide the even with great music and entertainment.

Sooner or Later, Most of Us Will Be Poor...

Check out this article "Sooner or Later, Most of Us Will Be Poor and On Welfare" by Stephen Pimpare from the University of New Hampshire. Sooner or later might mean now...

Click Here for Article

News You Can Use

For Your Church Newsletter

From Lutheran Community Services    September 2015

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.

Gov. Markell Visits LCS

Gov. Markell with LCS staff and volunteers during his July 31 visit to
LCS’s new headquarters at 2809 Baynard Boulevard, in Wilmington.

 LCS Volunteer Coordinator Cher Frampton participated in a volunteer fair at Bethel AME Church recently and caught the attention of Gov. Markell.  He liked what he heard about LCS and suggested a visit, which LCS was only too happy to take him up on. He arrived promptly at 11 a.m. as planned on Friday July 31.


Jean Warren gave him the royal tour of the new building and explained LCS’s focus on helping low income people with food, homelessness prevention and other important services. A short meeting followed, and the governor offered some helpful advice on completing the financing of the new building and insights about where our services are needed most.

Executive Director Jean Warren takes Governor
Jack Markell on a tour of the new facility.

     Before he left, the governor gave an inspiring talk to the staff and volunteers about how agencies like LCS are pitching in to help answer the critical need for social services in our community.

Volunteer Spencer Hoernes explains to Gov. Markell about
LCS’s community pantry garden funded by Speer Trust.

    

Walk Run Against Hunger September 19, 2015! Register or download forms online at www.lcsde.org. For 

information, call 302 654 8886 x109. 

Or click HERE to go straight to our online registration page...

Coordinator for the Zion Pantry Richard Porto tells his
story to the Governor with Volunteer Coordinator Cher Frampton.