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!

News You Can Use - January 2015

For Your Church Newsletter - Prepared by Steve Tindall
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.

LCS Helps Smokers Quit

The New Year is a great time to make resolutions. A wonderful resolution for smokers is: Quit! LCS helps people do that by providing pharmacy vouchers for low income Delaware clients who want to be free of tobacco addiction. Income-qualified participants get help with smoking cessation aids like gum and the patch. But even if smokers don’t qualify because their incomes are too high, the state still wants them to quit and will provide individualized quit plans tailored to each individual’s need.

Blessing From One of Our Clients

A few days ago, one of our clients, after receiving utility assistance (to prevent her homelessness), took a minute to jot us a note: “May God bless all the people who donate to LCS, because I was in need and God provided. May they experience God’s rich blessings for Christmas!”

New Building Update

The New Year is also a great time to take stock of one’s accomplishments. LCS has kept all of its services operating during a time of great need. At the same time, it managed the financing and began renovation of a new much-needed headquarters building on Baynard Boulevard in Wilmington. The budget and fundraising goal for the project has been established at $1.8 million. Already, we have raised nearly two-thirds of its goal. We still have a number of important grant applications to hear responses from, plus a broader request for funds when the campaign goes public in January. We expect the building to be completed by May 2015.

Before

After

News You Can Use

For Your Church Newsletter  - Prepared by Steve Tindall

From Lutheran Community Services          August 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 Results

All the money is in and all the invoices for the May 16 Gimme Shelter Golf Tournament are paid, so we can look at the final results. With the addition of $4,200 from the NCC Chapter of Thrivent, the grand total of money turned over to LCS for its housing programs was a record-breaking $19,024! Thanks to tournament organizer Larry Friday and all the golfers and donors who participated in the tournament, all of the money will be available as grants or 0-interest loans for low income families facing the turmoil of homelessness.

                                             Walk Run Invites Dogs

Thanks to suggestions we’ve received, LCS has decided that pooches will be able to register for the LCS Hunger Walk Run the first time. Then, right before the start, Pastor Fred Melton from St. Mark’s will offer a “Blessing of the Dogs” for all the canines attending. The Walk Run registration form is being revised to be doggy friendly and show that dogs are indeed welcome at the Walk Run! The money raised by the pooches will be attributed to the owners who brought them. It sounds crazy at first, but LCS believes that this will attract some new people (and critters) to the event. Everything raised goes to help support LCS’s food ministry.

LCS Helps with Furniture, Too

Idella and her late husband lived in the same house for over 40 years.  We first met her a few years ago when Idella had some much needed repairs done through our home repair program.  Over the past year, several of her grown children and their children have come to live with her as their own financial situations have become precarious.  In the beginning of April, we were able to help by providing them with beds and a dresser.  Then, Idella asked for a bed for herself as she had given up hers and was sleeping on the couch!   By the end of June, we were able to provide her with both a bed and a matching dresser, which was deeply appreciated.  All of this furniture was provided through our partnership with the New Life Furnishings program of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

News You Can Use

For Your Church Newsletter

From Lutheran Community Services                  March 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. All of the money raised by the tournament, goes to help support LCS’s homelessness prevention program, which helps hundreds of people each year who are threatened with eviction. Larry Friday is the tournament director. Contact him about sponsorships and registrations -- (302) 438-1290 or fridayla@msn.com.

FAITH Center Supports Clients in Many Ways

Ms. Barbara A. came to our FAITH Center office with a broken heart and spirit, and facing eviction. It was almost too much to bear. She had been housed for the last eight months, but before that her life was a nightmare:  sleeping in shelters, friends’ floors, and cars; washing up in gas stations, train or bus stations. Then she fell behind in her rent due to reduced hours at work. With assistance from two of our member churches, and our own funds, we helped Ms. A. with her rent so she could stay housed – and also with referrals, prayer, and encouragement.

Annual Breakfast – May 7, 2014

Plans are underway for LCS’s 10th Annual Room at the Table Free Fundraising Breakfast, which will be held this year on May 7, 2014 at the DuPont Country Club. Money raised at this event is dedicated to LCS operating expenses. Operating support is crucially important at this time – when we are also embarking on a capital campaign for our new headquarters building.

Preparing for the Storm

Just as local grocery stores note a swell in customers prior to a storm, so do the LCS pantries.  Each low-income family receives enough food for 3 days.  St. Stephen’s pantry, our busiest, serves 30-50 families a day, but on the day before a recent storm (2/12) we served 83 families!

 

News You Can Use June 2013

For Your Church Newsletter

From Lutheran Community Services   Prepared 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.

Home Repair Specialists Sought

LCS is looking for one or more part-time Home Repair Specialists who would join the staff of the LCS HOME Program – Home Oriented Maintenance for the Elderly. This program provides modest home repairs for senior and disabled citizens. LCS Home Repair Specialists receive compensation based on a realistic hourly rate. The types of jobs they do include fixing windows and doors, repairing steps and railings, and other jobs that will help clients stay independent in their homes – which is what most prefer. Candidates will be required to pass a background check. The HOME program serves a vulnerable population and is very much appreciated by them. If you are interested, contact: Sandy Betley sbetley@lcsde.org or 302 654 8886, x101.

Friends School Helps LCS

LCS has been expanding its outreach to area schools and in the process creating some wonderful success stories. An email from a teacher who recently visited and volunteered with a group of students said, “I am completely overwhelmed by the experience our students had yesterday. During our debriefing session, many shared stories of the people they helped and of their desire to do more for others. This is exactly the type of service experience we have been looking for – putting a face to hunger. One student remarked: ‘I was moved and surprised by the fact that someone could have a college education and find themselves homeless. How does that happen?’ The kids were definitely changed by their experience. This could not happen without your selfless donation of time and organization, as well as your motivation to raise awareness of the number of people in need. Thank you for all of your tireless work.”

St. Philips Adds to LCS Board

Nancy Zinnato of St. Philips has joined the LCS Board of Trustees. Nancy is a tireless worker for mission, and has had an instrumental role in the start-up and continuing operation of the St. Philips food distributions.

Summer 2013 Volunteer Job Openings

Here are a few volunteer opportunities that we currently have open. Please contact Cher Frampton at (302) 654-8886, ext 107 or cframpton @ lcsde.org if you are interested in any of these openings.

Attention Students!
Openings for the 2013 Summer Season is upon us and space in our St. Stephen's pantry is very limited. If you are interested in volunteering give Volunteer Coordinator Cher Frampton a call today! (302) 654-8886, 107 or email at cframpton@lcsde.org. Students 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult to your intake interview. 

Financial Counselor
Our Faith Center located on Walnut Street in Wilmington is in search of a part-time financial counselor. Position is to work with clients who are receiving housing or utility assistance to get some financial training and possibly work in partnership with other organizations who also provide such training. This position could be anywhere from one to three days a week. This is a new position and is still in the development stage. We will try to work with you and your schedule to meet client needs. Interested parties may contact Cher Frampton (302) 654-8886 x 107.

Movers Needed! (1 to 3 Openings)

We are looking for a few good strong men!

LCS is in need of movers to accompany scheduled appointments to the Westminster furniture garage to help load furniture for recipients onto their vehicles.

Frequency: 1 to 2 days a month.

We can work around the days that are best for you, but we need to schedule this during the week between 1 and 4pm.  Individuals must be in good health, and able to lift such items as beds, dressers, and tables. This program has been hugely successful in helping families acquire much needed furniture they otherwise are not able to obtain.

Food Drive Coordinators (Unlimited Openings)

Thanksgiving and Christmas are not the only times of the year food drives are needed. People are in need of food year round. But many do not think about this volunteering opportunity during the summer. LCS can provide you with step by step instructions on ideas of how to hold a food drive, or you can get creative and come up with ideas of your own.  Ask your church, schools, employers, boy scouts/girl scouts, community center, book club, family and friends to get involved. 

Food Drives are also an excellent way for high school students to earn their volunteer hours. They learn all about team work, time management, marketing, community and so much more. Every hour they put into planning, meeting and executing their food drive counts as volunteer hours. This has proven to be a very successful volunteer activity for both the students and LCS!

Walk Committee

We are looking for some fresh faces to join us on our Walk Committee. I promise you, you do not have to be in the greatest of shape to be on this committee, I surely am not! You simply have to have the desire to make a difference in your community to fight hunger in Delaware. No running required, unless you want to of course! The Hunger Walk Run 5K is being held on September 21, 2013 at Rockford Park in Wilmington. This is an all inclusive family event, where there is something for everyone. The first Walk Committee meeting will be held on Monday, March 25th, 4pm at our Rodney Street Office in Wilmington.

Committee members are responsible for ensuring the walk goes according to plan. Helps to determine the direction of the event, help establish new contacts in the community, and hopefully bring new ideas to the table. New members are welcome to jump at any time, so don't be shy! Give me a call today if you are interested!

News You Can Use - May 2013

News You Can Use

For Your Church Newsletter - Prepared by Steve Tindall

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.

Kids Help!

In February and again in April a group of Tatnall students worked at the St. Stephen’s pantry and also unloaded and shelved about 9000 pounds of USDA food. On April 17^th the eighth graders at Friends school distributed personal care products that they had collected and laundry detergent that we received from Katherine’s Kloset to St. Stephen’s food clients. Every Tuesday a group of 6^th graders from Friends school stocks the pantry shelves and makes up bags of food in preparation for Wednesdays, which are our busiest days. Other schools also sponsor food drives.

Nutrition Classes Grow
in Popularity

  

LCS nutrition classes at Shiloh Baptist Church mobile pantry in Wilmington this winter were not well attended initially. But the small group who did attend the first meetings enjoyed the presentations by U. of D. extension school specialists so much that they brought their friends to the second class, and we went from 14 people to 34 people. They were waiting there before we arrived. The atmosphere was a great combination of information sharing and fun.  Participants commented  that they really enjoyed the class and learned from it. The goal of the program is to provide low income folks with the information about healthy eating on a budget.

St. Philips Pantry Organizers Honored

LCS will present its annual Social Ministry Award to Kris Dirks and Nancy Zinnato of St. Philips for their role in operating the St. Philips pantry programs at the ELCA DE MD Synod Celebrate Ministry Dinner in early May.

Clothing Distributions In Style

Program Director Sandy Betley told of a recent experience she had at our free monthly clothing distribution at St. Stephens:  “I noticed a young African American man who had found dress shoes, a suit jacket, and dress pants.  As he was leaving he said he needed them for an upcoming job interview.  Then he said that ‘His homey had hooked him up’ and walked me over to an eighth grade boy from Tatnall who he high-fived and joked with.   It was wonderful to see these two young men – whose lives may never have crossed otherwise – interacting with each other with such joy.  The Tatnall student clearly was thrilled at the help he was able to provide and just glowed when we talked about it later after the distribution was over.”

LCS Gimme Shelter Golf Tournament:  May 17

To register for the tournament or to get tickets, contact Larry Friday at (302) 438-1290 or fridayla@msn.com. Or you can download forms from our website:  www.lcsde.or

LCS Room at the Table Fundraising Breakfast:  May 8

 

Each church has one or more Table Captains for our annual free fundraising breakfast. Or you can contact LCS Directly:  Steve Tindall at 654 8886, x105 or stindall@lcsde.org.