First Lutheran Church, Rock Island, IL

	Social Ministry
Home Our Mission Worship News Families Education Social Ministry Fellowship Activities WELCA Our History Calendar Staff/Map/Links ELCA	World Hunger Relief Food Pantry St. Joe's Soup Kitchen Habitat for Humanity Lunches CareLink Blood Drives "Looking to ease the needs of others and to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ."
	World Hunger Relief Thanks to everyone who helped support World Hunger Relief in 2003. Our grand total for the year was $2,312,33, a 50% increase over our 2002 giving! Our 2004 goal is $3,000 for World Hunger - this means $5 per household each month. Once again, thanks to everyone who made it happen! In the narthex you will find a very large glass water bottle labeled, “Watch the Miracle.” Spare change from your pockets and purses can help provide clean, safe drinking water to people around the world. Please help fill this bottle! The world hunger program sponsors emergency relief and long-term development both domestically and abroad, as well as sponsoring education on the causes of hunger and poverty in general. Environmental stewardship is another focus of the ELCA World Hunger Program, which also supports the work of Alternatives for Simple Living.
	First Lutheran Food Pantry We are now supporting the food pantry at Operation Humanity. Each month we will collect food items on World Hunger Sunday and deliver them to Operation Humanity. Some items will be reserved for our own "small" food pantry at First Lutheran Church, which will be used to support any individual who comes to us for assistance or any person in our own Church who might need some food items. The goal of the service spiritual unit is to hold a food pantry drive each month. In addition to food items, Operation Humanity is delighted to accept toys and clothing as well. These items can be donated on any day of the week at their location, 2301 3rd Avenue, Rock Island.

	St. Joe's Soup Kitchen Here's a chance to help your community directly. Contribute your time, your money, and your culinary skills and help us out at St. Joe's Soup Kitchen. Members of First are responsible for six dates throughout the year there. We also distribute food baskets and contribute to the local food pantry weekly and have "grocery sack" drives three times per year.
	CareLink CareLink is a group of volunteers who give other members rides to church and medical appointments, take them shopping, and who just "visit." Once a year the group throws a Senior Citizens Luncheon, providing the meal, rides, entertainment, communion, and fellowship.
	Habitat for Humanity Lunches “Dear Charles, Thanks so very much for serving lunch for our Habitat group. We certainly enjoyed it. It was delicious andyou certainly were a hit with everyone. We hope you had some fun serving and looking at our house. As you can tell, we are proud of it. Look for the dedication some time in late April or early May. Thanks again for your support and help. Peace and Joy, The Connollys”
	Blood Drives Giving blood is an easy way to help someone next door or someone across the country. First Lutheran has been participating for more than 20 years - make sure you sign up to donate at either (or both!) of our two annual drives. Contact the Social Ministry via e-mail at social-min@firstlutheranri.org First Lutheran Church · 1600-20th Street · Rock Island, IL 61201 · (309) 788-9661 office@FirstLutheranRI.org