Want to make a difference for struggling folks in our local area?  Want to do something that can be done when you do your grocery shopping?  The Outreach MAT has an opportunity for you!  Both, "God's Storehouse" and our 24/7 store, the "Blessing Box", have seen an increase of use by families who are having a hard time with the lack of food in these times of rising costs.  Every month, we will ask for donations of a particular item to "stock the store".  These items are ones that are in demand by our families.  You can help us out by purchasing that item while you are shopping and donating it at church in a special box labeled "Stock the Store".  

For September, you can "stock the store" by donating the small cans of canned chicken or canned tuna (in water).  Thank you for your support! 

God's storehouse, our food pantry, is St. Paul Lutheran's "hand up" for families in the area who are struggling to make ends meet in these difficult times.  If you are shopping and think of it, buy two and donate one to God's Storehouse.  We thank you, in advance, for your generosity!  

God's Storehouse September Shopping List:
canned pasta (like Beefaroni), Spam, canned spinach, canned waxed beans, angel food cake, Knorr pasta sides or rice sides, dill pickles, canned chicken, relish, canned tuna (in water), "kid-friendly" cereals, diced tomatoes, mandarin oranges, any kind of Jiffy mix, crushed or chunk pineapple, boxed mashed potatoes (like au gratin), Pop Tarts, snack crackers, cookies, pudding or Jello cups, single-serving chips or pretzels, raisins, toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, body wash, chocolate or vanilla frosting, instant chocolate pudding, red Jello.

Please place your donations in the wooden bins back by the coat racks in the Gathering Space.

Because of restricted supply from Aldi's, Outreach MAT's collection of plastic handled bags used to pack the Holiday Baskets is dwindling.  We could use your help!  

If you shop at Aldi's, please consider purchasing a dozen bags for our use when we do the Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets.  We need about 250-300 bags.  The bags are white, plastic, and have white handles and are $0.13 each.  Thank you, in advance, for your generosity, if you can help us!

Give the bags to any Outreach MAT member or put in their church mailbox.

The Outreach MAT is asking you to save pull tabs from aluminum cans including soup and vegetable cans and pet food cans to support the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities.  RMHC recycles the tabs to supplement the food budget that provides meals to families during their stay, at no cost to them.  There is a container in the Gathering Space as well as in the Fellowship Hall.  If you would like to learn more about RMHC and/or other volunteer opportunities, please contact Carol Doerfler at doerflers@toast2.net.

An offshoot of our God's Storehouse is God's Blessing Box which is our 24/7 outdoor non-perishable food items pantry.  Stocked weekly from God's Storehouse, the Blessing Box offers an opportunity for struggling community members to find food or personal items they need for their homes.  With the "take what you need" or "leave what you can" philosophy, this outdoor food pantry has seen a lot of business.  If you would like to donate to this panty, leave NON-PERISHABLE items (canned goods, boxed dinners, etc) in the red box near the Gibbs Street parking lot entrance.  Thank you for donating to this ministry!

Many thanks to the ladies who are knitting and crocheting chemo caps for this ministry.  We have 3,000 CAPS since this ministry started!  We are making a DIFFERENCE!  This ministry uses volunteers to knit or crochet caps for individuals who are undergoing treatment for cancer.  If you knit or crochet and would like to use your gift to help others, please contact Sue Schad for more information about this exciting opportunity to make a difference.  Our chemo caps go to The Toledo Clinic Cancer Center, St. Luke's Cancer Center, UTMC Dana Cancer Center, Mercy Cancer Center, and the Victory Center.

Mosaic Ministry's Baby University, has put out a request for board books for the infant/toddler parents to read to their children.  They need 400 per session or 1,200 per year.  There is a box under the table in the Gathering Space for donations.  Contact Carol Doerfler (doerflers@toast2.net) if you have any questions