Community Compassion Network
www.ccnhome.org 
 
July 17, 2008
Message from Sue
 
This summer has been hard for many Michigan families. There has been an increase in the number of first time requests of the local food pantries and our local service agencies are being asked for help with utility payments from first time requesters with greater frequency.

Minimum wage increased as of July 1st to $7.50/hr. According to the Federal Poverty Guidelines, a family of four with one bread winner would need to earn $9.93/hr in order to earn enough to say they are living at poverty. The fact is that many many families live below the poverty level.

In Isabella County, 15% of our population is said to live at or below the poverty level. That means that 10,000 people live in families that earn $9.93/hr. As you know, many earn less. Though they qualify for some assistance if they live at or below the poverty level, increased fuel and gasoline and food prices are not taken into account and their tight budget is even tighter right now.

We are thankful to be part of a church and community of believers that feel that families who are struggling are loved by God and that we are called to reach out and help as we are able.

What can you do?

Pray.

Let God use you to be a part of the solution:
Do not sit by and wait for the economy to get better or to have more time to give back some of what you have been given. Make a difference, today. Take action.

Volunteer at the Soup Kitchen:
Every Sunday you can be part of a team of people who choose to spend three hours preparing and serving food and sharing a grace-filled smile with families and individuals who have gathered up their courage and made their way into the soup kitchen.
E-mail soup@mpcc.org to find a place to serve.

Volunteer at a Mobile Pantry:
Twice a month we bring food from the Lansing Food Bank and distribute it directly to families and individuals in need.
E-mail pantry@mpcc.org to find a place to serve.

Participate in the August 23rd Services Fair:
You can donate gently used back to school clothing and back packs for distribution at the fair.

Send 'em Back with a Pack:
On August 3rd or 10th you can pick up a new backpack and fill it with a list of school supplies that we suggest. Back packs will be distributed to children in attendance at the services fair on the 23rd.

Thank you for considering what you can do to help make a difference in the lives of families in our community who need us!

Warmly,
Sue Wroblewski


Prayer Requests
We would like to ask for prayers for the families in and around our community who are struggling with this economy and rising costs. We ask that those who have need would find the courage to ask and that they would be met with kind loving encouraging help. We ask that God would continue to guide CCN in its planning for the future and its current projects. That we would be good stewards of all our resources; fiscal, people and their giftedness.


Services Fair
On August 23rd, we will have an opportunity to reach out to our community with many other churches and service agencies and groups in the community. This is the 2nd Annual Compassionate Community Services Fair. In 2007 over 500 families were on site. This year, services will include, Car seat safety checks, applications for food and housing assistance, hair cuts, back packs, back to school clothing, raffles for gift certificates and gasoline cards and Mt Pleasant PEAK will be on site to provide games and entertainment for youngsters who are in attendance. We welcome your "hands and feet" to help us set up the auditorium, unload and deliver pantry food, prepare and serve healthy snacks, distribute back packs and much much more. Please mail sue@mpcc.org to find your spot to serve!


Mobile Pantry News
We have been blessed to have the resources to hold 2 pantries per month for the past 3 months. We are working to make this a permanent schedule by recruiting new church and service sponsors and hosts. The need for volunteers is high and we encourage you to step up and serve for the first time or if you are a regular…we would love to have you play a key role.

Pantry Schedule for 2008
(7:00 am for snack and set up volunteers, 8:30 for truck unload and distribution team)

August 9th Community Church
August 23rd Held at Community Church - Service Fair with partner agencies
September 13th FUMC sponsor - host site in transition.
September 27th Held at First Presbyterian Church
October 18th Isabella Bank sponsor and Commission on Aging Host site
November 8th First Sponsorship by Mt. Pleasant Church of the Nazarene
November 22nd Community Days at Community Church
December 29th location TBD

Critical Needs Items:
Diapers , Back Packs and School supplies

“Kit” Descriptions
Personal Needs Kit; shampoo, soap, razor, shave cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant
Baby Kit; diapers, wipes, powder and diaper rash ointment (formula and baby food are also helpful)
Home Care Kit: laundry soap, T.P., paper towel, toilet cleaner, scrub sponge, general purpose cleaner

Soup Kitchen Sundays
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Kathleen, our scheduler, by mailing soup@mpcc.org. She is working on late August schedules, right now.

Monthly Meeting Schedule - First Monday of every month at 7:00 pm at Community Church.

Back >