Outreach Team – January 2025
Our members include Chris Kollen as lead, Carol Buuck, Phyllis Teager, Patty Clymer, Janette Carollo, and Gail Nicewander.
We are planning new and exciting projects this coming year. If you’d like more information about becoming a member of Outreach, contact Chris Kollen at lizzykollen@comcast.net or at 520-419-7475.
Continuing Events
Marana Food Bank
The Marana Food Bank would like to request that we collect tomato sauce, ready-to-eat meals (Ravioli, Spaghettios), soups, tuna/chicken/spam, instant rice (Rice-a-Roni), and jelly. Hygiene items are also always needed as well.
Let’s help our neighbors to start the year right by experiencing God’s love by providing them with food they need to nourish themselves and their families.
Donated items can be placed in the wooden cabinet located in the hallway outside the Fellowship Hall. Please remember that the food bank cannot accept any food items that have been opened/used or expired. Also, please no glass containers.
If you would like to donate and keep your gift for the needy of Marana, you can send a check to:
MFB-CRC
c/o Sahuarita Food Bank
PO Box 968
Sahuarita, AZ 85629
Please make checks payable to Marana Food Bank – Community Resource Center or MFB-CRC. You can also donate online at mfb-crc.org.
Your monetary gift goes a long way.
Butler’s Pantry – Roadrunner Elementary
During the month of December, we had volunteers work several days sorting and stocking food shelves with donations from Lord of Grace and many other groups that surround the Roadrunner community. This month, Gladden Farms Elementary held a food drive for Butler’s Pantry. The results were amazing-there were so many donations it took Lord of Grace volunteers several days to sort and stock the shelves. Now the Food Pantry is full and ready for Roadrunner neighbors to visit. We also received a generous donation from the Lord of Grace Novemberfest that will be used to purchase more personal hygiene items for the pantry. We will continue to staff the pantry the first Saturday of each month during 2025. We are always looking for volunteers to help with this ministry. If this is something that you would be interested in getting involved in, please contact Phyllis Teager 520-906-1837. Thanks to all at Lord of Grace for your support.
Past Events
Adopt a Family – Roadrunner Elementary
Thank you to everyone who donated gifts and food for Adopt a Child for Roadrunner Elementary students and their families. This year we supported 10 families, a total of 19 children, both for their needs (clothes and shoes) and wishes (such as toys, games or electronics), and gift cards for the parents. The food you donated will help them have an enjoyable holiday meal and have food for their pantry. You’ve made a huge difference at the holidays for these families! Thank you!
Roadrunner sent a thank you note to all who participated in Adopt a Family at Roadrunner:
“Thank you to everyone who participated in making this holiday season just a little brighter for someone else. Every family greatly appreciated your generosity and kindness this year. Without you, many of these families wouldn't have had a joyful holiday season. We were able to provide 172 children with presents and meals this season due to your support! I hope your holiday season is as happy as you have made the families we helped this year!”
Upcoming Events
Feed My Starving Children
We will be participating again in Feed My Starving Children mobile pack event on Saturday Feb. 8th from 7:45 to 10am at Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene with other Lutheran churches. The event packs specially formulated meals for malnourished children worldwide. The need is great and continues to rise each year. The overall goal is to pack 1.6 million meals during the weeklong mobile pack event. Sign up is either through the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene website at http://ovcn.church/fmsc or using the QR code below. Click on “Register Here” and select session #18. On the drop-down menu select “Lutheran Churches”, fill in your name and contact information. Each person participating needs to sign up individually.
Information and help to register will be available after both services on Sunday December 29th.
Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest – Refugee & Immigration Services Program
Chris Kollen participated with other LSS-SW Congregational Connector members in a wonderful event, Colors of Resilience: A Refugee Journey Through Art. The event was a guided painting experience uniquely blended art with the inspiring story of Jolie, a former refugee who overcame immense challenges to build a new life for herself.
Lutheran World Relief – Baby Care Packs
We plan on holding a drive in the new year for baby care packs to send to Lutheran World Relief. In 2023, they provided baby care packs to Angola, the Dominican Republic, Mali, Tanzania, and Turkey. More information to come in next month’s newsletter.
Sister Jose Women’s Center
We plan on offering to cook an evening meal for the residents of San José Women’s Center. Outreach will provide additional information in next month’s newsletter. Any questions, contact Chris Kollen.