News You Can Use November 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

Additional Resources for Long-Term Help

Our core services here at LCS are food and homelessness prevention assistance for low income people.  But many times interested folks want to know what steps we are taking to help people in need so that they won't need to come and see us again.  For homelessness prevention clients (those we help with back rent, mortgage, security deposits, or utilities), we do this by providing referrals to Clarifi for one-on-one financial literacy help before they come to our offices for their first appointment.  Clarifi is a nonprofit focused on financial literacy education.  Food clients can also attend classroom style financial literacy presentations when they visit LCS's food distributions.  This service is offered through $tand by Me, which is a state initiative.  So far this year, we have made two such presentations, to about 15 people each, and a third is planned.  Presentations begin with a discussion of attitudes about money before moving to traditional topics like credit repair and saving.

 

Another thing we provide for the long-term betterment of our clients is nutrition assistance.  With it, we reason, clients can fuel their bodies so they can do well in school, at home, or on the job.  We provide nutrition education literature at all food sites and classes at selected food sites.  This year we have held three nutrition classes (at Shiloh Baptist and St. Stephen's and Hope Lutheran) with the UD Cooperative Extension program.  Each program attracted 30 participants who are interested in nutrition for their families.  Topics include helpful information like shopping on a budget or making cost-effective nutritional dishes.

 

 LCS Garden Keeps Going

LCS planted a community pantry garden at its new site at 2809 Baynard Boulevard in Wilmington as a result of a grant from the Speer Trust.  So for this year , we have harvested over 200 pounds of fresh vegetables from the garden that we directed to Hanover Presbyterian's food pantry, which is a close and good partner.  We have extended our growing season as much as we could, and replanted (lettuce, carrots, and broccoli) in early October with a final harvest set for early November.  Tools and supplies for the garden were provided at cost by Fairfax Hardware- who we heartily thank.  Just as we want to thank Coverdale Farms for all the seedlings! 

 

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.

LCS 2015 Annual Report

Click on link below to view the annual report in pdf format.

https://www.scribd.com/doc/273519909/2015-Annual-Report

https://www.scribd.com/doc/273519909/2015-Annual-Report

News You Can Use - May 2015

For Your Church Newsletter

From Lutheran Community Services  - By Steve Tindall                       

 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.

Board Calls for Cuts

The LCS Board of Trustees has indicated that we need to cut program expenses because the operating income of the agency has not increased enough to meet the demand. This makes things like annual giving and the Room at the Table Breakfast more important than ever. The staff is currently examining all of our service practices for efficiencies so that we can minimize the impact of the cuts on services. Meanwhile, we are confident that within a year we can restore services to previous levels, and create new programs. Planning continues on the new choice pantry we want to start at the new building at 2809 Baynard Boulevard, and a new food program at Faith Lutheran Church in Bear.  According to Jean Warren, “The new building funds are entirely separate with a separate account not connected to our funds for operations.”

Homelessness Prevention

We used to call our back rent and mortgage programs “Housing Services,” but too many people mistook us for a shelter, so we have renamed the program “Homelessness Prevention.” Here’s a story about one of our clients. Because of a mix-up in paperwork, Denise got behind with her rent beginning in 2012 but didn’t know about it till this year. She came to LCS in April in desperate need of help with her back rent but only half expecting to get help because her situation was so dire. When she came in, her total back rent was several thousand dollars, but the staff listened and decided to do what they do best:  help people. Denise was able to raise $2800 from friends and family. LCS chipped in a $500 grant and facilitated an additional $600 from Immanuel Church. In this way, in just two days, LCS was able to assure that Denise stayed in her unit. And she said, “I am more than thankful. I truly am, and I hope and pray that all involved with helping me will be greatly blessed. Peace and Love to you all.”

Volunteers Wanted

Volunteer Coordinator Cher Frampton tells us that LCS needs volunteers, specifically for Zion and St. Stephen’s pantries, and for a volunteer photographer. Call Cher at 654 8886 x107.

The Zion and St. Stephen's Pantries are in need of pantry workers for all shifts.

St. Stephen's is open Monday - Friday from 9am to 12pm and is located in St. Stephen's Lutheran Church on 1301 N. Broom Street in Wilmington. 

Zion is open Tuesday - Thursday from 9am to 11am and is located in Zion Lutheran Church on 2101 Lancaster Ave (Rt. 48) in Wilmington.

Duties include stocking, bagging food, accepting food shipments/donations, answering phone, greeting clients and getting their pantry orders. 
Volunteers must be 15 years or older and be able to lift a minimum of 10 pounds. 

We are in need of a Volunteer Photographer to cover our various fundraisers, special events and to produce photos for our materials in print and in social media. You must have your own digital camera, have some knowledge of photo editing, and ability to email images. Knowledge of Adobe products a plus but not mandatory. Must be age 18 years or older and have your own transportation.
For a schedule of our fundraisers dates and times visit our website at www.lcsde.org to see if you can commit to this years line up. This position is perfect for the very serious amateur photographer who is looking for a job to enhance their own portfolio while giving back to the community at the same time.

News You Can Use

For Your Church Newsletter    - by Steve Tindall

From Lutheran Community Services            April 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.

Building Almost Complete

Progress has been steady on the renovation of the new LCS headquarters building on Baynard Boulevard in Wilmington.  According to contractors, it should be completed April 1

Homelessness Prevented

Linda had been homeless for quite some time.  She stayed at relatives’ houses, on friends’ couches, in motels, in short- and long-term shelters.  Not having a mailing address and a working phone made it difficult for people to reach her, so she often used the phone at Lutheran Community Services to talk to 211 – the information helpline – for screening and the next temporary housing placement.  Linda is 63. Her husband, a veteran, passed away. Linda receives his VA pension so is able to pay a subsidized rent in an ongoing manner …if she were able to work out the logistics involved in finding a place to move in to and communicating with them.  With LCS’s help, Linda was able to meet these challenges. LCS was able to provide her with the security deposit she needed for Sacred Heart Village, a low income apartment community, where she lives today in her own place.

Capital Campaign Donors May Be Eligible for Tax Credit

Larger donations to the LCS Capital Campaign may be eligible for Delaware’s Neighborhood Assistance Act Program. Under the program, individual and business donors with an income tax liability in Delaware (and who reside in Delaware) can get a 50% tax credit for campaign donations made during calendar year 2015. Application should be made as soon as possible on or after July 1, 2015. This is not a deduction but a direct credit taken off the bottom line of your tax bill to Delaware. The NAA tax credit equals 50% of the qualified contribution up to a maximum eligible contribution of $100,000 annually per taxpayer, resulting in a maximum annual tax credit of $50,000 per taxpayer. The minimum contribution by an individual or family is $2,500 for a tax credit of $1,250. The minimum contribution by a business is $10,000 for a tax credit of $5,000. Contact Steve Tindall (302 654 8886 x105 or stindall@lcsde.org) for assistance.

News You Can Use - September 2014

For Your Church Newsletter  - Prepared by: Steve Tindall

From Lutheran Community Services      September 2014

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.

Register Yourself and Your Dog for the Walk Run Online

No, the Annual Hunger Walk Run has not “gone to the dogs,” but we are making accommodations this year so that owners can register their dogs for the first time. This should prove to add some entertainment to the event and at the same offer dog owners an opportunity to raise more money in sponsorships, because sponsorships for the dog are attributed to the human owner that registered it. The best way to register is to do it online at our website:  www.lcsde.org.  Make sure that when you are registering you click the box that indicates the registration is for a “Canine.” This year’s Walk Run will be held at Rockford Park on Saturday September 20, 2014.  Registration starts at 8:00 for the 9:00 start.

Capital Campaign for New Building

LCS’s home of 30-plus years on Rodney Street has been sold, and LCS is going to be moving across town to a new location at 2809 Baynard Boulevard. The building we have acquired, with financing through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund, is two stories high, built of brick, with a total of 6,000 square feet. Renovations are set to start in September and should be finished by March. Until then, we will continue to be located at 1304 Rodney Street. Benefits of the new building are many, and they should take LCS to new levels of service and commitment to the community.

New advantages include a “choice” pantry, where people needing food can have a role in deciding what they get. We also plan to construct a community garden to create a seasonal source of fresh produce for our low income clients. Additional space will be devoted to client interview rooms where they can discuss their needs in private, and to a volunteer center to help manage the many volunteers that support us. To make this all happen, LCS has recruited a Capital Campaign Committee composed of 17 talented community leaders. The committee meets monthly and has been charting strategies to raise the $1.6 million needed to complete this project. While we are in the quiet phase of the campaign now, concentrating on leadership donors, a broader community-based campaign will begin in early 2015.

News You Can Use

For Your Church Newsletter    - Prepared by Steve Tindall

From Lutheran Community Services                            July 2014

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.

A Journey Back From Homelessness

Irene first came to LCS in July of 2009.  At that time, she was homeless, confused, and unkempt. Her speech was difficult to understand and often did not make sense. She had been homeless for awhile, living in shelters here and there, and she was clutching a folded piece of paper from WHA indicating that she was eligible, but that the wait would be a year and a half.  In the years that followed, she came back many times for food, clothing, and blankets.  Referrals were written for her at both the St. Stephen’s pantry and at the Zion pantry.  She often used the phones at the Women’s Friendship House Drop in Center to contact us and the coordinators there seemed to genuinely care for her.  She seemed worried about her safety and we encouraged her to look into Luther Towers. Then, recently, Irene returned to LCS and asked for furniture – for her new home in Luther Towers! Now, Irene has a table and chairs, sofa, and nightstand from us and the New Life Furnishings Program of Westminster.  It is uplifting to see the new glow in Irene’s eyes and the quiet comfort of her new home.  At 67, she finally seems to be genuinely happy and at peace.  Helping the homeless, those who are already “on the street,” like Irene, is challenging, which is why LCS housing assistance generally focuses on those who are trying to prevent homelessness, before they lose everything.

Sign Up for the Hunger Walk Run Online

On June 16, visitors to www.lcsde.org noticed that you can now sign up online for the annual LCS Hunger Walk Run (September 20). In addition to convenience, this tool allows you to track your fundraising for the Walk Run and use social media to help you. For example, Janice Reissig of Hope said, “Using the online tool for Walk-Run donations was easy, and broadened my access to potential donors.  I was surprised when I posted a link in Facebook individuals I hadn't thought to personally solicit donated -- and several of my sponsors were out of state, too.   It helped me to reach a personal best for the LCS Hunger Walk Run -- an amount that was over 60% higher than I'd ever raised!”  The online donations tool can make your fundraising easy and give you an edge in the competition to see who can raise the most to help support LCS’s pantries for low income people who come to us for help with food and nutrition.

Growing Together

Watch our new video "Growing Together" and learn how LCS has grown and changed over the years to meet the needs of residents in Delaware.

News You Can Use

For Your Church Newsletter    - Prepared by Steve Tindall

From Lutheran Community Services            May 2014

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 Tournament – May 16, 2014

If you’re a golfer, join in the fun at the annual Gimme Shelter Golf Tournament. This year’s tournament is at Wilmington’s Porky Oliver Golf Club on Friday May 16 with an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start. Larry Friday is the tournament director. Contact him about sponsorships and registrations -- (302) 438-1290 or fridayla@msn.com. Registration forms are available on line at www.lcsde.org. All of the money raised by the tournament goes to support LCS’s homelessness prevention program, which helps hundreds of people each year who are threatened with eviction. Clients with a housing crisis contact LCS for grants or zero interest loans for back rent, mortgage, a security deposit or back utilities. LCS believes that preventing homeless, by reaching out to families in crisis before they are homeless, is much superior to trying to help after they become homeless. Each year LCS helps over 1000 people this way.  In addition to financial assistance, LCS also refers clients to financial literacy counseling and they must meet with Clarifi prior to their appointment at LCS.

Housing Clients Referred to Clarifi

Clarifi, a non-profit community resource devoted to Lifelong Financial Literacy, is LCS’s vender of choice for financial education, though it also works with other providers of financial literacy like the Delaware Money School. Clarifi has its roots in helping people who are struggling with debt so that they can take control of their personal financial wellbeing, no matter their economic status. Clarifi helps our clients develop a plan, so that when they come to us seeking assistance the amount necessary has already been worked out.

An example of how Clarifi works, according to one of our staff: “This morning, I met w/Donna who needs assistance with her mobile home mortgage.   Her husband died unexpectedly in February and the household has suddenly been shifted from 2 incomes to 1.  Donna works full time but is really struggling to make ends meet.  She is also struggling with her grief and about her financial future.  Last night, Donna had an appointment at Clarifi.  She said she found Clarifi to be amazingly helpful.  She especially valued the open and honest approach of her counselor who worked with her to prioritize her bills and develop strategies to reduce them.”