Local Missions Archives - Zion Lutheran Church

October Blessing Closet

11/01/2023

A huge thank you to all the wonderful donors and volunteers who were able to make winter much warmer and brighter for hundreds of kids and their families with warm coats, winter accessories, and thousands of slightly used clothing items in the Blessing Closet! You helped give 564 coats to 144 families and 394 kids. What a blessing! Below are the details for Blessing Closet and Coats for Kids and Mobile Food Shelf: Zion Blessing Closet Ministry Families Served—144 Children

Kid’s Choice Continues Through The Summer Months

07/25/2023

The Social Ministry team helps children in the area by teaming with the Buffalo Food Shelf to pack ‘KID’S CHOICE’ bags for school-age children when they are home from school during the summer months of June, July, and August. Studies show that children who eat nutritiously function better. To provide proper nutrition for children, Zion Volunteers pack and distribute three bags of ‘kid friendly’ food which consists of refrigerated, frozen, and non-perishable items. These items are distributed to everyone in

SERVE Weekend

05/30/2023

Thank you to all those who took part in SERVE Weekend 2023. What a happy and productive weekend. It was delightful to see your smiling faces as we served together. We successfully met each of the goals that we set for serving this year. Here are a few examples: 20 teens fed -Timber Bay Meal 18 Kits completed and more started- Days for Girls 651 Thank you cards written for school staff 13 Fleece blankets for Camp Noah 13 Fleece

Blessing Closet Report 2023.04

05/30/2023

Thank You for your support and volunteering at the Blessing Closet, Mobile Food Pantry, Community Breakfast, and Bike Giveaway by setting up, sorting, and distributing. We had a very effective and gratifying distribution totaling $15,275 of product value given away as just a portion of SERVE Weekend. Blessing Closet 133 Families served (274 kids) 8,920 Items distributed 38 Cities represented $6,000 Product Value distributed Bikes & Helmets for Kids 105 Bikes distributed $2,625 Product Value distributed Food Pantry 136 Families

Fare for All for 2023

12/22/2022

Looking for a way to save money on groceries in these inflationary times? Right here at Zion, the Social Ministry Team provides the answer—Fare for All! Fare for All is a non-profit discount grocery program that sells boxes of frozen meat and fresh vegetables, and is open to all—no questions, registration, or requirement—which can save you 30-40% off retail grocery prices. Fare for All has been coming to Zion every month since August of 2015 and over these 7+ years

Diapers Distributed

11/14/2022

The Serve Planning Team and The Social Ministry Team are so thankful for the generous donation of diapers that took place in September to highlight the ELCA’s annual “God’s Work. Our Hands” service project. The Diaper Program was implemented in 2021 in conjunction with the Blessing Closet and serves fifteen families each month with a large box of diapers (125-160 count) in our community. This year Zion will distribute diapers to about 180 families at the value of $4,500. None

Дякую тобі (Thank You)

07/21/2022

Thanks to everyone who has donated household items, food, and monetary support to the Ukrainian families. They are doing pretty well and are working with different agencies to get their paperwork in order so they can get jobs. One family has moved into a home in Coon Rapids and another family has moved into an apartment in Minnetonka. One family member is still living with relatives in Montrose. They are very thankful for all that has been provided for them

Refugee Support

06/15/2022

In May, Zion’s church council approved the creation of a Ukrainian Refugee Working Group to investigate the opportunities and possibilities of sponsoring a Ukrainian refugee family in Buffalo. The group is researching and learning about the different opportunities offered by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and Arrive Ministries, and investigating sponsorship with other area churches, and will make a recommendation to the council on the best path forward. In the midst of that work, several in the group learned of

Blessing Closet Goals for 2018

01/27/2018

The first quarterly distribution of Zion’s Blessing Closet was in August of 2015. To date, we have served 1,700 families with 4,000 kids that received 57,000 items of clothing. During these distributions, we were able to partner with other non-profits by giving away bikes, books, school supplies, coats, and holiday baskets. We have experienced tremendous support from Zion’s staff and congregation members with clothing donations, financial support to build a Blessing Closet storage facility, and many volunteer hours from over

Blessing Closet Update

01/07/2016

The Blessing Closet ministry, which began at Zion in 2015, collects, sorts, and distributes new and slightly used children’s (infant to high school age) clothing free to kids in our community and surrounding areas. It has been a huge success, and Zion has distributed over 10,000 items of clothing, shoes, and coats to approximately 1,000 local children in need of assistance during the first two quarterly distribution events.

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