Hunger, Housing, Hope, and Global Outreach Team (H3GO) News

The mission of the H3GO Team is 1) to battle hunger in our community and around the world by volunteering and giving generously to programs that feed those with food insecurity; 2) to support efforts to get people in shelter and/or affordable housing  by partnering with entities that serve the homeless; 3) to help the congregation connect with Global Outreach opportunities within the wider work of the ELCA and other organizations such as our partnership with the SAME Lutheran congregation in Tanzania; and 4) to bring hope of the gospel and love of Christ to people by tithing to our synod and giving generously to our community, praying for and reaching out to those in our neighborhood, and showering blessing upon the guests whom God brings through our doors.

Christmas Gift Tags Return

Pick Up a Gift Tag Nov. 17-Dec. 2, 2018
Before you click your mouse or hit the stores to do your Christmas shopping this Black Friday, be sure to pick up a gift tag for a child in need this weekend or next (Nov. 17-18 and Nov. 24-25) at church. Once again we are partnering with Four Oaks to provide Legos, basketballs, dolls and games to boys and girls who otherwise might not have a Christmas. 

NEW THIS YEAR: Don’t just grab a tag and go… we’re asking everyone to stop by the check out table to give us your name and phone number.  We hope this cuts down the number of unreturned gifts we’ve had in the past.     

Food Backpack Update

​Hoover Halts Food Backpack Program; New Opportunities Arise
 
At the beginning of this school year the administration at Hoover Elementary became aware that the needs of their students and families outweighed what the HACAP Food Backpack program could provide. Because of this fact they have decided to end the food backpack program which we have helped administer the past 3 years and are instead opening a community food pantry at the school. Community School Coordinator Rachel Rockwell believes this will put her in greater touch with parents in need, not only to battle hunger, but to help them with a variety of issues.
 
First Lutheran’s Backpack Team is weighing our church’s options after three years of providing food backpacks.  HACAP said they do not have another school this year we can help, nor do they need help packing at HACAP this fall.  One new opportunity for us is to help transport the food from HACAP to Hoover.  Another is to help volunteer sorting and distributing food from the pantry.  Another idea the school coordinator had is for us to participate in a new after school program she’s starting.  If you are interested in any of these options, feel free to directly contact Rachel Rockwell at (319) 558-1880 or RRockwell@cr.k12.ia.us
 
The Backpack Team will continue to talk with HACAP to see if we can re-start the packing program with another school partner in 2019-2020.  Until then, FLC Backpack Administrator Dave Lensch wants to thank everyone who has provided leadership and support over the past three years in packing, pick-up and delivery of food.  

Young Adults Around the World Potluck

​All-Church Potluck Want to know what life is like halfway across the globe?  Come witness our young adults show you some of the amazing things happening around our world today because of you.  Join us from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, December 9 in the LFC for an all-church potluck focused on outreach and help us shape the direction of our efforts of our Hunger, Housing, Hope and Global Outreach (H3GO) Teams in 2019.

Adult Ed Focuses on Outreach

10:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 – Kim Reem, Mission of Hope Update, Luther Fellowship Center
Mission of Hope Executive Director Kim Reem will update us on things at our ministry partner Mission of Hope including the future plans of their two recently closed homeless shelters.
 
10:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 – Program Director Big Brothers Big Sisters, LFC
The Program Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids and East Central Iowa will update us on partner opportunities with First Lutheran.  In the past we’ve partnered with them in an elementary school lunch mentoring program, community matches, and Bowling for Kids’ Sake.