Outreach Team – February 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 jelly, cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix and syrup, and cans of tomatoes for spaghetti. Hygiene items are also always needed as well.
What a great way to show God’s love – by providing a nourishing meal to our neighbors in need.
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
We will continue to staff the pantry the first Saturday of each month during 2025. Another group, Mary Butler’s sorority group will be staffing the Pantry one Saturday a month, so the Pantry will now be open every other Saturday.. 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.
Upcoming Events
Lutheran World Relief – Baby Care Packs
We will be holding a drive during the month of February for baby care packs to send to Lutheran World Relief. We held a drive last year and were able to collect items for 11 baby care packs. In 2023, LWR provided baby care packs to Angola, the Dominican Republic, Mali, Tanzania, and Turkey. We will start the Baby Care Pack drive on February 9th and will end on March 2nd. We’ll put together the baby care packs on March 9th and mail them to Lutheran World Relief.
Sister Jose Women’s Center
We plan on cooking an evening meal for the residents of San José Women’s Center on March 12th. There will be a signup sheet in the Narthex. We need 4-5 people to volunteer. We plan on signing up to cook another evening meal in May. Any questions, contact Chris Kollen.
Interfaith Community Services
Lotsa Pasta Food Drive – this year we’ll be participating in the ICS Lotsa Pasta Food Drive. We’ll start the drive on February 2nd and it will end on February 28th. They are asking that we collect pasta, pasta sauce (only cans or plastic, no glass), and macaroni and cheese. Please help them meet their goal of 5000 packages of pasta, 5000 cans of pasta sauce, and 5000 boxes of macaroni and cheese. You can also shop using their Amazon Lotsa Pasta Wishlist! You can easily add items into your cart and then select the Front Office Coordinator Address to have your pasta donation mailed straight to ICS! Thank you!
Empty Bowls – ICS is having their annual fund raiser, Empty Bowls, on March 1st. You need to purchase tickets before the event. Attendees of Empty Bowls will enjoy signature soups, breads, and desserts generously donated by local restaurants and food partners, while also having the chance to bid in a silent auction featuring jewelry, artwork, home décor, unique experiences, and more. Plus, each attendee will also select a handmade pottery bowl to take home, crafted and donated by Tucson’s talented local artists. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to https://www.icstucson.org/emptybowls/.
Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest – Refugee & Immigration Services Program
LSS-SW Refugee and Immigration Service Program’s Refugee Youth Mentorship Program (RYMP) provides a wonderful volunteer opportunity to mentor refugee youth (ages 15-24). The program pairs volunteers with youth to help them adjust to life in the U.S., set personal goals, and thrive in their new community. Mentors meet with their mentees regularly, focusing on building language skills, supporting academic progress, and guiding them through the challenges of resettlement.
How You Can Help:
Commitment: Mentors meet with their youth once a week digitally and twice a month in person. This is a year-round program, and we’re looking for people who are willing to build meaningful, lasting relationships. The commitment is for four months.
Impact: Through mentorship, we have the opportunity to empower these young people, help them gain confidence, and show them tangible love and hope.
How You Can Get Involved:
These programs are an incredible way to make a meaningful impact on the refugee families and youth we serve—and also on our own growth. Serving others is one of the most powerful ways to live out our faith and reflect love.
Get Started Today:
To begin volunteering or to learn more, visit lss-sw.org. If you have any questions or need additional details, don’t hesitate to contact Peter Lopez at plopes@lss-sw.org.
We’d love to help you get involved!
lved!