Concordia Lutheran Church

Heifer International provides an opportunity for people of faith to work together to provide the Earth’s poor and humble people who are close to God’s heart with the means of a livelihood. Heifer animals—llamas in Ecuador, pigs in Cameroon, water buffalo in Thailand—offer ongoing sources of milk, meat or eggs. They supply fertilizer and draft power that enrich the environment, not deplete it. Every family who receives livestock agrees to pass on one or more of its animal’s offspring, or the equivalent, to a neighbor in need. Heifer International calls this “Passing on the Gift.”

Our Sunday School children have been collecting money to purchase a sheep and a goat through Heifer International. They have been learning about water and food needs. They pray for children in other places. Their generosity with offerings and allowances will feed and encourage families far from here.

This Sunday we will tell you more about Heifer International, and present each Sunday School child with a certificate from Heifer International’s CEO (and us). You can learn more about Heifer International at www.heifer.org. Pass on the gift!

I just had to share this with you. That old saying “a picture paints a thousand words” came to my mind when I walked in to the pantry today to receive a food donation from a local cub scout troop.   More than 700 families use the pantry each month.

Thank you for your generous gift of food, money and time to MACC Charities Community Food Pantry. Sadly, the shelves were nearly empty after 44 families (seven of them new) shopped Thursday evening.

MACC can feed an average family of 4-6 for about $11 a week.   The reason we can stretch our dollars so far is because of food and financial donations and the countless volunteers that receive, sort, stock and help distribute food each week. 

This time of year is always a challenge – it is not far from the holidays, usage is up due to the school vacations (child home and childcare costs are up in addition to more in the household longer periods of the day), not to mention fixed incomes and higher prices of gasoline… it all effects the household budget and people do not have many other areas they can cut back so the food budget tends to take the hardest hit.

Your support reassures me that you remember people are hungry year round.  Homelessness does not take a holiday and advocating for the needs of others never rests.   Your gift is needed and never taken for granted.

Please add the following items to your shopping list. Concordia will be happy to deliver the groceries you bring with you to church:

Cereal                                     Pasta & sauce                                     Healthy snacks

Canned meats                         Canned fruits and vegetables                Condiments

Peanut Butter                          Soup                                                    Toilet tissue

Paper towels                           Diapers                                                Laundry detergent

Feminine products                  Toothpaste                                           Toothbrushes

Hand soap                               Dish soap

We always need paper and plastic grocery bags, clean plastic bottles with tight fitting lids, freezer bags, and egg cartons.

Someone’s life will get better because you care and choose to help. 

For more information about the food pantry, please call Dale Doll, Program Director for Food Services 860.288.4251. For opportunities to serve, please call Nathan Oldham, Community Engagement Coordinator 860.942.4549.

Gratefully, Beth Stafford

MACC Executive Director