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.

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! 

 

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.

P/T Volunteer Receptionist Needed ASAP

We are in need of a part-time receptionist to help fill in while our regular receptionist Rose is out on maternity leave.

Duties will include answering the phone and taking messages. Greeting guests and letting staff know when clients have arrived for their appointments. Other projects such as mailings and assembling packets may be requested from time to time.

Schedule will vary but it will be between the hours of 8am - 4pm, Monday through Friday. Individual must be professional and good with the public. Some computer skills are needed and experience using office phone systems helpful, but will we will train.

This position is available now, and we are looking to fill this in the next week, no later than end of next week.

Please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Cher Frampton at 302-654-8886, 107 or cframpton@lcsde.org. Please leave a message if no answer, you will get a call back.

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 - August 2015

For Your Church Newsletter

From Lutheran Community Services                         

On Saturday, September 19th LCS will host the 24thAnnual Hunger Walk Run in Wilmington’s Rockford Park. Registration opens at 8 a.m., and the walkers and runners leave the starting line an hour later, at 9. Last year’s event set a record by raising over $50,000, and this year organizers are shooting for $60,000. All the money raised goes toward LCS’s emergency food pantry system for low income people. Each year, LCS responds to over 76,000 requests for emergency food, which it provides at 14 separate locations. The Walk Run is the single largest source of funding for its food programs, and without it LCS would be hard pressed to continue to serve as many people as it does.  The cost to enter the event remains the same – Register by 9/17 and it’s only $15. On the day of the eventit will be an additional $5 for adults. To get a free Champion Fundraiser T-shirtand registration, adult entrants need to raise $60 in sponsorships, and youthentrants need to raise $30 in sponsorships. Keep in mind, however, that youth who enter the Youth Run Against Hunger will get a free T-shirt that way. To registeronline or get more info, visit www.lcsde.org.

LCS Offers Tours

The new LCS Building at 2809 Baynard Boulevard was dedicated in early June. If you are interested in seeing the new building, LCS has organized tours twice a month for the rest of the year:

11:00 a.m.                   4:30 p.m.­

August 6               August 18

September 15       September 3 

October 13           October 1 

November 17        November 12

December 15         December 3

Tours last one hour or less and provide a glimpse of what LCS does to help low income people in our community who are hungry or homeless. Visitors leave it with a new appreciation for LCS.  Contact Steve Tindall to schedule a tour – stindall@lcsde.org or 302 654 8886, extension 105.

Volunteers Needed at St. Stephen's Pantry in Wilmington

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. 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.

LCS New Headquarters Dedication

News You Can Use - July 2015

For Your Church & Community 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.

LCS Building Dedicated!

Executive Director Jean Warren Cuts Ribbon at Dedication

On Thursday June 4, LCS dedicated its new building at 2809 Baynard Boulevard in Wilmington at a wonderful ceremony attended by over 100 guests who toured the building and gave it rave reviews. LCS Board President Tim Dambaugh hosted the event that included State Representative Charles Potter who welcomed us to the First District, and the Rev. Wolfgang D. Herz-Lane, Bishop of the Delaware Maryland Synod of the ELCA, who presided over the Blessing of the Building. All the donors who have helped fund the project to date were warmly thanked. The final component was an old-fashioned ribbon cutting by a group headed by Executive Director Jean Warren that included a big red ribbon and a huge pair of shears to officially open the building and dedicate it to service to the community.

Guests in attendance in what will soon be LCS's new pantry

Guests gather in the new Volunteer Center for tours

Financial Literacy Training Success

When Mrs. Eduwyna’s husband was not working over the winter, her family of six fell behind on some of their bills.  Wanting to provide for the family, she approached LCS. In order to qualify for a grant from LCS to pay their rent, she attended financial training through Clarifi.  The first thing she did is open a savings account and set a goal of $20 per month. “It doesn’t matter how much you earn; it matters how much you save,” she told our case worker. Mrs. Eduwyna attended additional training through her children’s school and at the public library, and now the family has begun working on their credit repair and hope to be able to buy a house in the next five years.  “What I never knew about finances, I have learned in the last five months,” she said.

Delaware State Tax Credit

LCS Donors of $2500 or more to LCS may be eligible for a 50% credit on their state income taxes. For example, a gift of $2500 (the minimum) will earn a tax credit of $1250 for the donor. This is available for both Capital and Operating donations. 2015 applications can be made starting July 1, 2015. Contact Steve Tindall for more information at 302 654 8886 x105 or stindall@lcsde.org. 

News You Can Use - June 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.

We’ve Moved!

LCS New Headquarters at 2809 Baynard Blvd.

At the end of April, LCS moved its headquarters from Rodney Street where it has been for over 30 years to its new home at 2809 Baynard Boulevard in Wilmington. The capital campaign organized to help facilitate funding for the purchase and renovation of the new building has raised almost $1.5 million, but there is still some work to be done to reach our $2.2 million goal. We have a number of fundraising strategies at work, and we are following up on all of them. The list of great things about our new building is a long one and includes more space, upgraded computer systems, a 25-car parking lot, community pantry garden, an elevator, a volunteer center and lots more. If you miss the June 4
Dedication, contact us and we will schedule you a tour.

Garden boxes are built and scheduled for
first planting by end of May.

New Community Pantry Garden

The new community pantry garden at our new headquarters is designed to provide fresh produce to supplement what we provide in our pantries and those of our partner, Hanover Presbyterian Church. Funding was provided by the Speer Trust of the New Castle Presbytery. We’ve had all kinds of volunteers helping with the garden including a group from Bank of America who helped clear the garden spot. Chuck Landry, from St. Stephen’s has been a mainstay helping to supervise volunteers and design the garden.  Six Lutheran Campus Ministry students from the University of Delaware provided the much needed energy and muscle to build and fill the first four raised garden boxes with a luscious mix of topsoil and compost.  Each garden box is 4 foot by 8 foot so can accommodate many delicious vegetables.  The boxes are raised a foot above the soil and have a liner of geotextile fabric so that any potential pollutants in the ground will not be able to have contact with the roots of the vegetables that will be grown in them.  The Delaware Center for Horticulture has been instrumental in providing guidance regarding the design of these garden boxes.

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.