News You Can Use

For Your Church Newsletter

From Lutheran Community Services                  September 2007

 

Editors: Following is some information about LCS that you might want to include in your newsletter. 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 format, timing or content are welcome. Contact Steve Tindall (stindall@lcsde.org). 302 654 8886.

 

Shopper Needed

 

Lutheran Community Services (LCS) gets most of the food we distribute from the Food Bank of Delaware, where we are the largest customer. But sometimes we (and the volunteers who run pantries at Lutheran churches) need to go out and buy groceries from low cost food outlets like Save-a-Lot. We could use some help! If you are interested in volunteering for this kind of work, contact Lisa Weifenbach at 302 654 8886.

 

Feel the Momentum – 2007 Hunger Walk Run, 9 a.m. Sat. 9/22

 

Last year’s Hunger Walk Run in Rockford Park was the biggest ever. Well over 300 people participated and a record-breaking $47,500 was raised. That was a good thing, because LIFE Food Pantries – LIFE stands for Lutherans Involved in Food Emergencies – served more people that ever before: over 53,500! And their numbers continue to grow. What this means in a nutshell is that Lutheran Community Services is going to need the financial support provided by a well-attended Walk Run in order to keep pace with the growth. So sign up now! Each church has a “Walk Run congregational coordinator” who can provide information and registration forms. Or… you can download forms from www.lcsde.org or call for one at 302 654 8886.

 

Virtually all Lutheran churches – and some non-Lutherans – have made significant contributions to the Walk Run. The two churches that have been the most successful at fundraising are Grace (which raised almost $9,500 last year) and St. Mark’s (which raised over $7,000). This year, the women at St. Mark’s have challenged the men to see who can get the most sponsorships. Pastor Fred Melton calls the challenge “desperate and outrageous.” The losing gender has to make a meal for the winners. Join the fun Sept. 22. Challenge each other!

 

Prizes promise to be more exciting than ever…gift certificates from restaurants and stores, CDs, 1 hour massage, videos, tickets to local attractions, Christiana Mall, even a portable DVD player.

 

Walk Run Youth Events

 

The Walk Run is designed to be a fun event for the whole family. Each year we are trying to pull more youth in to enjoy it because they are the church leaders of tomorrow. What better way to demonstrate the benefits of service than with an event like the Hunger Walk Run, where all of the money raised goes to help feed low income people in our area through LCS LIFE Food Pantries. In addition to youth group and confirmation class involvement, consider –

 

  • The 2nd Annual Delaware High School Hunger 5K Classic – This is a special competitive event designed for high school athletes run simultaneously with the Walk Run. All entrants get Free T-Shirts, and there are medals and prizes for the top finishers, plus a trophy for the Top Fundraising School. Cost – $15. Info: Jane Conlon 764-2910.
  • 2007 Youth Rally Against Hunger – This is the annual “lock-in” for all Lutheran Youth in the region which promises loads of fun, worship, service, games & music at St Stephens. Advance registration required. Info: Pastor Greg Johnson 658 5288 revdrgrj@aol.com.  

 

Tobacco Cessation Program Offered to All

 

One of Lutheran Community Services’ lesser known programs is its Tobacco Cessation Program. It was designed for low income people, and paid for with funding from the State of Delaware through a grant to one of our partners, the American Cancer Society. Right now, however, there is a special promotion going on. Anyone – no matter what their income level – can qualify for free assistance with vouchers for pharmaceutical and over the counter products. Traditional products have been nicotine replacement materials, but new medicines designed to help fight the addictive craving for tobacco have proven quite effective. The increased demand during this special promotion has meant a big increase in the number of people served and in the work load at Lutheran Community Services. How long the promotion will last is anyone’s guess. To get started smokers should call the Quit Line – 866 409 1858.