During the winter holiday season, many organizations have food drives for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Often though, after the holidays, there is a real drop off in donations, but the need doesn't stop. Donations can really drop off during the spring and summer months, people are busy and on vacation and just not thinking of the Food Bank. You can help by having a food drive at your church or during Vacation Bible School or Sunday School, or grow a row for the hungry when you plant your garden! Plant an extra couple zucchini plants or tomato plants and donate the produce to the Food Bank.
They also are in constant need of paper products, personal care supplies, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, and diapers. Food stamps can only be used to buy food, not all the other stuff a family needs. Disposable diapers can be a tremendous cost to a low income family. Think outside the traditional grocery cart the next time you want to do an ingathering for the needy.
They also are in constant need of paper products, personal care supplies, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, and diapers. Food stamps can only be used to buy food, not all the other stuff a family needs. Disposable diapers can be a tremendous cost to a low income family. Think outside the traditional grocery cart the next time you want to do an ingathering for the needy.

At the Utah Zone Fall Rally, the speaker was the director the Salt Lake City Rescue Mission. One of the things he told them was that often “kits” of things tend to be partially discarded because the homeless don’t want to care things that they currently don’t need and know they can replace the next time they visit a shelter. We often see lists of supplies for “kits” of things, but according to him, they often only want one of the items and the rest get discarded. Perhaps instead of putting together “kits” for the homeless, it would be more useful to just collect the items and then let the Rescue Center hand them out as needed. I know we like doing the servant project of making “kits” but if they are just going to get wasted, it is not a good use of our resources.
Here are some things you might want to collect:
Lip balm
Small packages of tissues
Toothbrush and toothpaste (small size)
Comb (small)
Soap
Trail mix, granola bars or crackers (individual size bags)
Pack of gum
Bandages
Mouthwash
Socks
Gloves (in winter)
Knit or fleece stocking cap/scarf (in winter)
Give the smallest containers you can find, individual or airplane size is great. If you have to carry all your belongings with you all the time, you don’t want the big economy size of anything!
Here are some things you might want to collect:
Lip balm
Small packages of tissues
Toothbrush and toothpaste (small size)
Comb (small)
Soap
Trail mix, granola bars or crackers (individual size bags)
Pack of gum
Bandages
Mouthwash
Socks
Gloves (in winter)
Knit or fleece stocking cap/scarf (in winter)
Give the smallest containers you can find, individual or airplane size is great. If you have to carry all your belongings with you all the time, you don’t want the big economy size of anything!
Hats
Do you like to knit or crochet? Do you need an outlet for your knitting habit? You can make winter hats for kids or adults and give them to many outlets.
If you have a local homeless shelter or rescue mission, they always need hats, gloves and scarves for winter.
Your local food pantry may also need winter wear.
If there is a place nearby that does chemo for cancer patients, they are always in need of hats.
We often think of the Southwest as being hot all the time but in winter it gets down to freezing frequently.
Rocky Mountain District LCMS has a mission church in El Paso, TX—Ysleta (ylm.org)—that needs winter hats. There is also a mission church on the Navajo reservation (nelm.org) that would love to have winter hats.
For patterns, just type into your search bar “knit crochet charity hats” and you will get a list of tons of patterns, probably for free. Pick a couple patterns and get to work!
So if you want to get out your needles or hooks, and use up some of that yarn stash you have been saving for “just the right project,” lots of places would love the results!
If you have a local homeless shelter or rescue mission, they always need hats, gloves and scarves for winter.
Your local food pantry may also need winter wear.
If there is a place nearby that does chemo for cancer patients, they are always in need of hats.
We often think of the Southwest as being hot all the time but in winter it gets down to freezing frequently.
Rocky Mountain District LCMS has a mission church in El Paso, TX—Ysleta (ylm.org)—that needs winter hats. There is also a mission church on the Navajo reservation (nelm.org) that would love to have winter hats.
For patterns, just type into your search bar “knit crochet charity hats” and you will get a list of tons of patterns, probably for free. Pick a couple patterns and get to work!
So if you want to get out your needles or hooks, and use up some of that yarn stash you have been saving for “just the right project,” lots of places would love the results!
October Ideas
Does your church or LWML group need an idea for an ingathering for October? how about "Sock-tober"? if you have a homeless shelter or rescue mission nearby, they can always use new socks. Maybe you have an ingathering of socks for the less fortunate. Men, women, kids, they all need socks!
Christmas seems a long ways off but it will be here before we know it. This year instead of buying things that are not really needed or wanted (does your father really need another tie?), how about making a donation to a good charity in someone’s name? Instead of cookies for your neighbors, make little cards saying “in your honor a donation has been made to….”. If you work for a company that usually gives gift baskets to customers at Christmas, maybe suggest they give a large donation to charity and give cards to the customers with that information. Or maybe for your Christmas list, you could say, "I want a Cow!" After the uproar dies down, you could add, "For Lutheran World Relief! " and ask people to take the money they would spend on buying you things you would need to dust and donate it Lutheran World Relief instead (LWR.org). LWR.org has a big list of Gifts for the World to choose from. Less to dust! and helping the world!
Christmas seems a long ways off but it will be here before we know it. This year instead of buying things that are not really needed or wanted (does your father really need another tie?), how about making a donation to a good charity in someone’s name? Instead of cookies for your neighbors, make little cards saying “in your honor a donation has been made to….”. If you work for a company that usually gives gift baskets to customers at Christmas, maybe suggest they give a large donation to charity and give cards to the customers with that information. Or maybe for your Christmas list, you could say, "I want a Cow!" After the uproar dies down, you could add, "For Lutheran World Relief! " and ask people to take the money they would spend on buying you things you would need to dust and donate it Lutheran World Relief instead (LWR.org). LWR.org has a big list of Gifts for the World to choose from. Less to dust! and helping the world!
Seminary Guilds
Both Lutheran seminaries have seminary guilds that support the students and their families as they go through school. Lutheran women are welcome to provide help for the seminary students by donating toward the many projects that the guilds support.
At Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, they help with textbook costs, support wives whose husbands are going through school with social activities and fellowship, support the campus Food Bank and Re-Sell It Shop, give aid to international students far from home, and many other projects. Their budget is over $20,000 and is raised solely through donations. The guild also supports the co-op where seminary families can get food, clothing, and household goods. Many donations of all kinds are given to students including frozen chicken, milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, quilts and blankets and toys for children at Christmas. The co-op also appreciates gift cards that can be used at national chain stores. Donated funds are used to buy groceries locally as needed to fill the shelves.
The Guild at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne recently bought new furniture for Student Services and the Dean of Student’s office.
If you would like to donate to the seminary guilds, you can look on the web for Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, at ctsfw.edu, then “Support,” then “Give for Today,” then “Seminary Guild” or, for Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, csl.edu, then “Support,” then “Seminary Guild.” Anyone can become an individual member and donate to improve the quality of life for our future pastors, teachers and deaconesses. Your LWML society can also join as a group.
At Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, they help with textbook costs, support wives whose husbands are going through school with social activities and fellowship, support the campus Food Bank and Re-Sell It Shop, give aid to international students far from home, and many other projects. Their budget is over $20,000 and is raised solely through donations. The guild also supports the co-op where seminary families can get food, clothing, and household goods. Many donations of all kinds are given to students including frozen chicken, milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, quilts and blankets and toys for children at Christmas. The co-op also appreciates gift cards that can be used at national chain stores. Donated funds are used to buy groceries locally as needed to fill the shelves.
The Guild at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne recently bought new furniture for Student Services and the Dean of Student’s office.
If you would like to donate to the seminary guilds, you can look on the web for Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, at ctsfw.edu, then “Support,” then “Give for Today,” then “Seminary Guild” or, for Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, csl.edu, then “Support,” then “Seminary Guild.” Anyone can become an individual member and donate to improve the quality of life for our future pastors, teachers and deaconesses. Your LWML society can also join as a group.
Orphan Grain Train
Hello all you Orphan Grain Train Supporters!
It’s that time again to start collecting, having events, and packing. Steve Wolters will again be hauling our donations to Nebraska. Please call him before you take your boxes to him. 208-731-2136. He has transported since 2009 for OGT, FREE OF CHARGE. Thank you Steve!!! Take your boxes to GEM STATE TRANSPORTATION WAREHOUSE, 3590 N. 3300 E. KIMBERLY, ID.
SORTING AND PACING: Teams need to sort donated items into categories – clothing, shoes, boots medical items, school supplies/backpacks, bibles etc. sort according to: infants, girls, women, men. Pack winter and summer items separately – this helps OGT determine where it should be shipped.
After sorting pack items as tightly as possible in sturdy boxes; tape shut. Print on outside of box contents; size; gender; summer; winter; quilts; medical, etc. and where you are from ie. Twin Falls, ID or Eden, ID or Clover etc. If you have a lot of boxes, make labels. Number your boxes and make two copies of a detailed list of items in each box plus the name of the congregation and give your list at the time of delivery to Gem State Transportation.
The Orphan Grain Train web page has a vast amount of information on what items are needed and current events. Their Facebook page has information everyday on shipments domestic and foreign.
According to the last newsletter there is a huge need for hygiene kits, school kits and back packs. The requests for these are great within the US and worldwide. If you are a Thrivent member you can apply for a Thrivent Action Team and the seed money goes toward purchasing supplies. For more information on these Special Projects go to www.ogt.org click on the tape ‘How You Can Help’ and scroll down to Special Projects.
Please call me if you have any questions.
In His Service,
Cindy Gibson [email protected]
208-734-7762
208-320-6223
It’s that time again to start collecting, having events, and packing. Steve Wolters will again be hauling our donations to Nebraska. Please call him before you take your boxes to him. 208-731-2136. He has transported since 2009 for OGT, FREE OF CHARGE. Thank you Steve!!! Take your boxes to GEM STATE TRANSPORTATION WAREHOUSE, 3590 N. 3300 E. KIMBERLY, ID.
SORTING AND PACING: Teams need to sort donated items into categories – clothing, shoes, boots medical items, school supplies/backpacks, bibles etc. sort according to: infants, girls, women, men. Pack winter and summer items separately – this helps OGT determine where it should be shipped.
After sorting pack items as tightly as possible in sturdy boxes; tape shut. Print on outside of box contents; size; gender; summer; winter; quilts; medical, etc. and where you are from ie. Twin Falls, ID or Eden, ID or Clover etc. If you have a lot of boxes, make labels. Number your boxes and make two copies of a detailed list of items in each box plus the name of the congregation and give your list at the time of delivery to Gem State Transportation.
The Orphan Grain Train web page has a vast amount of information on what items are needed and current events. Their Facebook page has information everyday on shipments domestic and foreign.
According to the last newsletter there is a huge need for hygiene kits, school kits and back packs. The requests for these are great within the US and worldwide. If you are a Thrivent member you can apply for a Thrivent Action Team and the seed money goes toward purchasing supplies. For more information on these Special Projects go to www.ogt.org click on the tape ‘How You Can Help’ and scroll down to Special Projects.
Please call me if you have any questions.
In His Service,
Cindy Gibson [email protected]
208-734-7762
208-320-6223