Food for Hungry People

April Foods Day

After the long, winter weeks when our local food pantry runs short of inventory, we provide an opportunity on the first Sunday in April to maximize our food donations that restock the shelves at the Salvation Army Food Pantry. If you have interest in this ministry please contact Anne & Vic Lee.

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Together with other Lutheran congregations in St. Charles and Geneva, each year we coordinate a major food drive held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving at local supermarkets where we receive non-perishable food, baby supplies, toiletries and paper goods to be distributed to local families in holiday baskets. We also receive food at our Thanksgiving worship services that supplement this holiday food appeal. If you have interest in this ministry please contact Anne & Vic Lee.

CROP Walk

The CROP Walk is an ecumenical, national response to the needs of poor and hungry people in our local communities and around the world in which volunteers solicit monetary pledges and make a commitment to walk with other community members in solidarity to stop world hunger, one step at a time. Local efforts receive 25% of all contributed funds; 75% benefit international relief. The 2007 walk will be October 21st. If you have interest in this ministry please contact Paul Hough & Ingrid Nelson.

World Hunger Appeal

Coordinated through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the World Hunger Appeal is a monthly collection of special offerings that provides food and other forms of assistance that are delivered through disaster relief agencies to areas affected by flood, earthquakes, famine, war and other catastrophes.

Local Food Pantry

Bethlehem partners with the Salvation Army in the collection and distribution of food to local, low-income families. Each Sunday our members have the opportunity to bring non-perishable food, baby and paper products to the worship service. Baskets of these goods are brought forward each week with the offering plates, as we ask God to bless our gifts and the ways in which we help our neighbors in need.

Port-a-Lunch

On Fridays our members deliver meals to seniors and homebound persons in St. Charles and Geneva through the Salvation Army Golden Diner program.  There is always a need for help in delivering meals.  If you have interest in this ministry please contact Jimmie Haessig.

Ministries with Homeless People

Hesed House

Hesed House at 659 River Street near downtown Aurora is a center for ministries providing services for poor and homeless individuals and families. Housed in a building that was formerly the Aurora incinerator, this facility has now become a beacon of hope and light to hundreds of people who are struggling to rise up out of poverty. Hesed House includes a food pantry, soup kitchen, medical clinic, transitional living center and an overnight, emergency shelter known as P.A.D.S. (Public Action to Deliver Shelter). With our partnering church, St. Nicholas Catholic Church of Aurora, Bethlehem is most directly involved with P.A.D.S. on the fourth Friday of the months of February, April, June, August, October and December, as we provide groceries, meals and staffing for approximately 150 overnight guests. Volunteers shop for and deliver grocery items, make breakfast casseroles or brownies or sign up to staff one of the three shifts: 6-11 p.m., 11-3 a.m., 3-7 a.m. If you have interest in this ministry please contact Leigh Gunther or Kris Sparks.

Lazarus House

Lazarus House in the Free Methodist Church at 3rd and Walnut Streets in downtown St. Charles is open 365 days a year, serving men, women and children connected in the school districts of St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and western Kane County who are homeless or at risk. Lazarus House offers safe, overnight shelter, food and support services, and is staffed both by volunteers and professionals. Bethlehem disciples provide food and staffing for approximately 40 guests on the second Saturday of each month throughout the year. Our needs include volunteers for an overnight shift from 8 p.m.—7 a.m. and people who are willing to contribute prepared casseroles and sack lunches.  If you have interest in this ministry please contact Nancy Stevens or Maggie Haroldson.

Shelter Assistance Committee

Shelter Assistance Committee helps prevent homelessness by bringing hope and financial assistance to individuals and families who are temporarily in need of assistance with rent or mortgage payments. Established a number of years ago by the St. Charles Ministerial Association, the work of the SAC is funded by local churches, individuals, businesses and foundations and is managed by a committee of church members. If you have interest in this ministry please contact Barney Quandt or Warren Rasmussen.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is an international, ecumenical ministry designed to eradicate homelessness and provide decent and affordable housing for all God’s people. Bethlehem Lutheran is one of 11 members in a partnership in the Northern Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity. We provide financial assistance (Father’s Day offering and Brat Fest) as well as volunteers to build affordable housing in this area. Our next house (#9) to be built is located at the corner of Maple and Kane in Valley View. The lot has been cleared and is ready for well drilling and foundation work. Volunteers are needed to help build the house around the first week in May.  If you are interested in this ministry please contact Vic Lee or Don Radtke.