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.

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 - 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.

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.