News You Can Use

For Your Church Newsletter             September 2013

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 Repairs for Seniors

LCS provides modest home repairs for seniors and disabled people, paid for on a sliding scale. Recently, program director Sandy Betley received a lengthy message from a home repair recipient who had her kitchen faucet replaced, her bathroom vanity repaired, her bathroom sink unclogged, her toilet repaired so it stopped running, her bedroom door replaced and her closet door hinges replaced.  She said that home repair specialist Ray had taken “a million pounds off her back,” that he was so nice, and that she really appreciated everything we had done for her.  This client has recently come through a year of illness and is now getting back on her feet. We are glad to have helped. Support for the program is provided by Laffey-McHugh Foundation.

Hunger Walk Run Set for September 21, Rockford Park

The 22^nd Annual LCS Hunger Walk Run actually involves three events: 5k fun run, 1 mile walk in the park, and the competitive 5k Youth Run Against Hunger. It’s a lot of fun; it’s also responsible for feeding thousands of hungry people in our area. As a matter of fact, it is the largest single source of funding for the LCS pantry system that served 85,000 last year. Demand has been strong for food help this year, and we are hoping for a big turnout for the Walk Run to help fund it. Pre-registration, especially if it is done electronically, helps LCS by cutting down on paperwork. Electronic registration also helps you, the registrants, raise funds because you can gather sponsors with email, Facebook, and Twitter. Register online at www.lcsde.org.

Walk Run Challenge.  The LCS Walk Run Committee is concerned, based on last year’s results which were down by 20%, that our goals for the Walk Run may not be reached. To stir up some enthusiasm, the committee issued two challenges. Number one is to the LCS board. The committee challenged the 15 member board to 100% participation. That is a mighty goal, but one that would make a difference, and it’s worth a try! Challenge number two is to the churches who participate. Understandably, participation by churches varies from year to year. Unfortunately, the majority saw falling rates of participation in 2012. To help counteract that, the Walk Run Committee challenges each church to match or exceed participation levels of its best year of the last three. If everyone did the “best of three” this year’s event will be a major success. For  your church’s goal, or for info, call Heather at 302 654 8886 x 100 or email at hteig@lcsde.org

Lutheran Community Services Annual Report

Click on image below to read

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.

Volunteer Job Openings - April 2013

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.

Front Desk Receptionist - Opening Filled

We are currently looking for an individual to help work our front desk on Monday and Friday mornings/early afternoon at our Rodney Street location in Wilmington. We are looking for someone who has strong phone skills, is good with the public and greeting clients, volunteers, donors, or anyone coming through our doors.  

Some duties include:
-Keeping workspace tidy and notices up to date. 

-Explain/talk about LCS to visitors and invite them to monthly food for thought tours.

-Collect voice mails and answer phones

-Cover staff for lunch breaks

-Assist program staff as needed (Making copies, organizing files, shredding etc.) 

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!

Volunteer Job Openings - March 2013

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.

NEWFood Pantry Statistician - Opening Filled

Lutheran Community Services is currently looking for a new statistician to start assisting the current volunteer who has been in place for 15 years and eventually take over the entire operation.

Job duties will include:

1.       Type data into an Excel spreadsheet

2.       Eventually tabulate the data to produce the final reports

3.       Be trusted with the information from the intake sheets

Requirements: Person must be willing to take this on as a long term volunteer job. Job takes about 3 hours a week of data entry. Approximately 2 hours a month putting final report together. Person must have a very good understanding of Microsoft office, and Excel. 

Front Desk Receptionist - Opening Filled

We are currently looking for an individual to help work our front desk on Monday and Friday mornings/early afternoon at our Rodney Street location in Wilmington. We are looking for someone who has strong phone skills, is good with the public and greeting clients, volunteers, donors, or anyone coming through our doors.  

Some duties include:

Keeping workspace tidy and notices up to date. 

Explain/talk about LCS to visitors and invite them to monthly food for thought tours.

Collect voice mails and answer phones

Cover staff for lunch breaks

Assist program staff as needed (Making copies, organizing files, shredding etc.) 

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. 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. Starting this month the committee will meet monthly to discuss a plan of action and decide who is going to do what. Cannot make it this month? Never fear! It is not to late...new members can jump on at any time. 

News You Can Use - April 2013

For Your Church Newsletter - Prepared by Steve Tindall

From Lutheran Community Services     April 2013

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.

Need for Housing Assistance Grows

A new report released by the Delaware Housing Coalition shows that 6 of every 10 low income renters in Delaware are often unable to find an apartment they can afford. 75% of extremely low income families end up spending more than half of their incomes on housing costs.  According to LCS Program Director Sandy Betley, the number of people asking LCS for housing assistance continues to expand. With limited capacity, there is no way LCS can accommodate more clients, so staff is regularly asked to stop making appointments for a few days. Once they catch up, the program reopens. LCS housing assistance loans and grants average about $400 per family. Last year, LCS housing assistance activities helped over 1300 people avoid homelessness.

A Client Freeing Herself From Nicotine Addiction

In addition to its core housing and food programs, LCS operates some smaller ones, such as the Smoking Cessation Voucher Program. Our role is to assure that low income folks who desire to free themselves from the yoke of tobacco addiction get the proper pharmaceutical support. A client recently emailed us: “My counselor and I speak each week and this is going great. Thank you for helping me rid myself of a habit I have had for a very long time. I started saving up for a new washer/dryer with the money from not purchasing cigarettes. What a blessing.”

LCS Gimme Shelter Golf Tournament Makes Changes

Organizers are gearing up for a great 2013 Gimme Shelter Golf Tournament on Friday, May 17 at Chesapeake Bay Golf Course in Northeast, MD. What’s new? Plenty. For one, Shone Lumber stepped up as the title sponsor. Thank you! What else? Well, the event will be held on a Friday for the first time; and the shotgun start will be at 1 pm, another first.  There will also be a dinner after golf, which is one more first. The great thing about the dinner is that it will feature the best of “Grandma’s Italian Kitchen” with spaghetti, meatballs, chicken parmesan, Caesar salad and lots more! Dinner tickets for nongolfers are available for $25. To register for the tournament or to get tickets, contact Larry Friday at (302) 438-1290 or fridayla@msn.com.