CIELO-LCGS Food Bank Update
The Food & Supply Bank will now be taking place in the Good Shepherd Gathering Place/Gym
The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd (LCGS) and Centro Integral Educativo Latino de Olympia CIELO) co-sponsor a Food and Hygiene Supply Bank in partnership with the Thurston County Food Bank (TCFB). Over 70 families are served monthly. On the 4th Friday, families pick up TCFB-supplied food, and hygiene supplies sponsored in part by the generous donations of the congregation.
Diapers, toilet paper, bar soap and a hygiene item of the month (e.g., laundry soap, dish soap, female hygiene supplies, toothbrush/toothpaste and kitchen/bathroom cleaning supplies) are distributed monthly. Donations of hygiene supplies and funding to purchase these items is greatly appreciated. We are in particular need of diapers (size 6), diaper wipes and toilet paper. (see monthly hygiene donation chart below)
Inflation impacts all of us, but it is particularly hard on those with low incomes or living on a minimum wage. These donations help to ease the burden for our neighbors in need. You may drop off donations (listed below), Monday through Friday 9:00 to 3:30 p.m. or Sundays at the church. A hygiene collection schedule is described below. Please clip it and place in your wallet/purse that you can use while grocery shopping.
Morning Shift Volunteers Needed
We always in need of more morning volunteers to help from 9:15 - 11:30 or so to help package vegetables and fruits, breads, cheese and meats. We found out that there is a BIG difference packaging for 60 versus packaging for 100! If you can volunteer to serve, please contact Barb Lantz by text or cell at 360-584-8395 or by email at blantz@Q.com. We are working with the Food Bank to have their team deliver the truck loads (now two) and unload with their pallet moving device. This change would significantly reduce the need for “strong backs” at Good Shepherd to move heavier loads. More to come on this. If morning won't work for you, we can use your assistance during the afternoon from noon to 2:00 p.m. to help distribute food and hygiene products.
The next Food & Supply Bank is Friday, April 19 Please visit the LCGS/CIELO Food & Supply Bank Website for more info about donations and volunteering.
Thank you for your continued support of the bank with $ and product donations.
Click on the CIELO link below learn more about the work of CIELO.
LCGS/CIELO Food Bank - Continued Donations and Funding Always Needed
Each month, congregation members and community volunteers distribute diapers, toilet paper, and bar soap, plus a hygiene supply item of the month (e.g., laundry soap, dish soap, female hygiene supplies, Kleenex, toothbrush/toothpaste and kitchen and bathroom cleaning supplies). Both in November and December, over 100 households (120-130 families) received these items, overwhelming our existing supplies. Sadly, we have become a victim of our own success!
The hygiene portion of the bank has been impacted by three factors necessitating our team to seek grant funding. Waning financial commitment from congregation and community members has occurred from inflation (estimates of 6.8 percent), historical donations supplied by those on fixed incomes, and increased utilization (initially serving 45 families per month; now over 100 families per month). These factors cause us to look for additional sources of money to support the program.
As always, please consider donating one box or package of size 5 or 6 diapers.
If you are a Thrivent member, please reach out to Barb Lantz (blantz@Q.com) or 360-584-8395 so I may instruct you on how to apply for a Thrivent Action Grant. It takes about 10 minutes, and if you are successful, you can purchase up to $250.00 in diapers or toilet paper for the bank.
