Community Basket and Soup on Sunday

From the Faith Lutheran Church January newsletter, "Parish Visitor"

Community Basket
Have you ever been interested in what happens at the Mobile Pantry on the day of distribution? If so you are invited to come and see for yourselves the difference this makes for so many families. Statistics say that 1 out every 5 children suffer from food insecurity and this is one way in which we are working to alleviate this need in our communities. Community Basket is made up of 7 area communities and receives no federal funding but is supported strictly by donations. Faith has been blessed to be able to offer matching funds in the past through the Faith Foundation.

In December, the mobile distribution took place in Ida Grove at the United Methodist Church. We served approximately 112 households. We were very blessed with a great group of volunteers from the community and a special group from OA-BCIG High School.

Our next distribution will be on January 15th at the Arthur Community Building starting at 4:30pm. If you would like to help please contact Mary Gustafson in Arthur or show up at around 2:30 as the food arrives at about that time. The distribution usually finishes between 5:30 and 6:00.

There is also a site pantry that is a part of Community Basket, located in the basement of the Medical Arts building in Ida Grove. We have been blessed by the generosity of Horn Memorial Hospital for the use of this space. The site pantry is open on Thursday afternoons from 1:00-4:00, with the exception being the day of the mobile distribution.

2015 Distribution Schedule
January 15th, Community Center, Arthur
February 19th, Fire Station, Battle Creek
March 19th, United Methodist Church, Holstein
April 16th, Community Center, Odebolt
May 21st, St. John’s or Bethel Lutheran Church, Kiron
June 18th, United Methodist Church, Galva
July 16th, United Methodist Church, Ida Grove
August 20th, United Methodist Church. Holstein

Click for more information and income guidelines (.pdf file)

Questions?  Call Pastor Trish Underberg at Faith Lutheran Church in Odebolt.  712-668-4515.

Back Pack Ministry
Right now we are sending food home on a weekly basis for 53 kids. It may not seem like a lot, but many of our families rely on that little extra bit. This ministry, though it comes as an outreach of our congregation, is truly supported by the whole of the community. For all of the donations that we receive we are able to match that amount through money designated by Faith Foundation. We have also been truly blessed by Con-Ag who has donated pudding and popcorn this fall. It takes between $300.00 and $500.00 for 4 to 6 weeks of bags.  If you wish to make a donation, contact Faith Lutheran Church.

Soup on Sunday
This ministry is beginning its 4th year this year. It is where the community's church congregations come together to provide not only a hot meal but also an opportunity for fellowship. It will be held on the 4th Sunday of the month beginning at 4:30 pm at the Odebolt Community Center (the first one is January 18th).  The rotation will be as follows: First Presbyterian Church for January, St. Martin’s for February, and Faith Lutheran for March's supper.

Afterwards, people will be invited to meet at the United Methodist Church at 6:30 for a movie.