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Warm hearts, warm people, Warm building Come on in |
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"Micah 6, March 8th
"What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God." ( Micah 6:8 )
As Christians we are called to have an impact on society. Our presence in the midst of the affairs of human life is to make a difference. One of the duties of Christians is to be salt and light in the midst of an increasingly apathetic and gray society. We are here, not just to believe something but also to stand for something.
To that end, in the Fall of 2004, a new program was started here at First Presbyterian by the Health Ministry Committee. It was called a Micah 6 dinner. This is a "free community meal" that is held the Monday after the second Saturday of each month. The meal is for anyone in our community or service area. If the attendees can donate thru a "free will offering", it is wonderful. If this doesn't come about then we are definitely doing God's work. All are welcome to come, eat, stay and visit with each other.
One of the reasons for the meal is to promote visiting. There are so many in our community who are alone. To be able to come together in a warm or cool place, depending on the weather, gives all participants the opportunity to laugh and visit with others. Laughter is a great help to one's well being.
Reservations can be made thru the church office at 375-3432 but they are not necessary.
Community Supplemental Food Program
This is a new program being run out of the church in cooperation with Second Harvest Heartland. Every 2nd Monday we will be giving out boxes of food (you have to pre-register). This program is for Mother and Child or children and it is also a Nutrition Assistance program for Senior Citizens.
Who qualifies? Low income Minnesota residents, moms and children, ---185% of poverty level. Seniors---130% of poverty level. Call Second Harvest at 1-800-365-0270 for more information and to sign up for the program.
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FOOD FOR ALL
The next FOOD FOR ALL will be on Saturday, March 13th
It has become obvious to those who work the distribution, that our numbers will only increase, so we are grateful to Schmidt's bakery for their willingness to work with us and sell us baked goods at much reduced prices...to Super Fair Foods, Pamida and Paul's Food Pride for their willingness to work with us when they have "bargains'. This is the only way that we have been able to maintain this much needed program. If you see a bargain somewhere like items 10 for $10.00 or 2 for $1.00, please let me know, because I will try to take advantage of those bargains. Mary
We continue to serve at least 155 families each month. Thanks to Patty Anderson and her working thru Downs Foods in getting both the Food For All program and the Watonwan County Foodshelf access to canned chicken for distribution to our families. Both the Rotary Club and the American Legion Auxiliary gave donations at the end of the year to the Food For All. Thank you to all who make this program possible....unfortunately, it seems to be a program that will be needed in the foreseeable future.
Minnesota Food Share
March is Minnesota Food Share Month and so we, along with many churches in the area, will be collecting non perishable food for out local Foodshelf. Not only do we collect food but what those collections of food and monetary gifts mean...is that our local foodshelf participates in and Allocation Fund. The allocation provides an incentive to local food shelves to increase their local donations from congregations, businesses, civic groups, schools and individuals who donate to the food shelf during the March campaign. The more the local food shelf raises on its own during the March Campaign, the larger their share of the Minnesota FoodShare Incentive Allocation. But, it's never pound for pound.
If you have any items on shelves that you know you won't be using, you can bring them and put them into the grocery. Help to restock the shelves. Thank You
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