Reaching Out To Others.......Serving Near And Far.......
All year round, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Downers Grove has various outreach opportunities that you can be involved in. Some are as simple as donating an item to a project or giving an hour or two of your time to help others.
Listed below are descriptions of ministry programs that are currently underway. We hope that you choose to become involved as your time and talents allow helping others in need.
Food Pantry
Immanuel's Food Pantry provides approximately 25 families individuals each week with help in feeding themselves and their families. The pantry solely relies on donations of non-perishable food items or monetary contributions to continue to provide this important ministry in Downers Grove and nearby communities. Items that are always needed in any amount are:
Boxed Breakfast Cereal, Instant Oatmeal, Plain Instant Potatoes, Canned Fruit, Macaroni & Cheese, Canned Soup, Plain Instant Rice, Flavored Rice Mixes, Canned Chili, Canned Pork & Beans, Spaghetti Sauce, Canned Vegetables, Jello or Pudding Mix, Dry Pasta Noodles, Maruchan Soup Packets, Peanut Butter, Tuna, Canned Pasta Meals (Spaghettio's, etc.), Saltine Crackers, Boxed Cookies, Baking Mixes, Spam, Canned Corn Beef Hash, Mini Hams (non refridgerated), Canned Chicken or Turkey and Canned Beef Stew.
Donations can be brought to Immanuel Lutheran Church on Sundays or during the week and placed in the collection box outside the church office or put on the counter in the church kitchen. Any family, group or organization that would like to sponsor a food drive benefiting Immanuel's Food Pantry should contact Josie Kalmar, Director of Social/Outreach Ministry @ JosieKalmar@hotmail.com for project instructions and supplies.
Baby Needs Pantry
In addition to Immanuel's Food Pantry, we also minister to mothers in need by providing disposable baby diapers and hygiene items (wipes, baby soap, shampoo, etc.). Donations of baby supplies are always needed and can be dropped off at Immanuel in the special "Baby Needs Pantry" box located in the hallway outside the church office:
Disposable Diapers - Any size from Newborn to Size 6
Pull Ups Training Pants or Good Night Diapers - Any Size
Liquid Baby Soap & Shampoo
Baby Wipes - Scented or Unscented
Family Shelter Service
We are currently collecting much needed items for the new Family Shelter Service located in south Downers Grove. The shelter provides a safe haven and help for victims of domestic violence in Dupage County. A recent local newspaper article reported that the shelter was "at capacity" with women and children!
The majority of the women and children arrive at the shelter with only what they are wearing. Providing some very basic items for their comfort is essential for their care.
The items (new only, please!) that are being collected are as follows:
Women's Sweatpants - All Sizes
Women's Sweatshirts - All Sizes
Women & Children's Socks - All Sizes
Women & Children's Underwear - All Sizes
McDonald's Gift Certificates
Donations of clothing items can be placed in the collection box in the hallway outside the church office marked "Family Shelter Service". Donations of McDonald's gift certificates should be placed in the metal box outside the church office doors. Please remember that we are collecting only the above listed items at this time.
Visit the "Volunteer" page for details on a special summer lawn care and maintenance project at the shelter!
Free Lunch For The Homeless & Those In Need
Immanuel will be expanding its ministry to the homeless and those in need in our community by providing a free lunch (11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) at Immanuel in our downstairs fellowship hall, one Saturday per month in June, July and August. The local shelters (PADS/Public Action To Deliver Shelter) that provide food and sleeping accommodations have closed for the warmer months and will not re-open until October 1st.
For the past 5 years, Immanuel has provided volunteers and food for the PADS Warming Center on one Saturday per month at St. Luke Presbyterian Church in Downers Grove, feeding approximately 50 people on that Saturday from October thru April. It is our desire to continue our ministry to the homeless at our own location to "fill in the gap" in assistance.
We will be serving a sandwich lunch meal and providing a "take along" bag with cold bottled water and snacks.
Dates for the lunches will be June 14th, July 12th and August 9th.
At this point in time, we have been blessed with volunteers to help prepare and serve the lunch for each of the 3 lunches scheduled! Watch this space for details on donating food the lunches in July and August.
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Any questions or comments on these ministry projects can be directed to Josie Kalmar, Director of Social Ministry/Volunteer Coordinator at JosieKalmar@hotmail.com.
To return to Immanuel Lutheran Church's home page, click here: www.ilcdg.org
