ANNOUNCING OUR 2021 LENTEN DEVOTIONS

We're excited to announce the theme of our 2021 Lenten Devotions: "What Does It Mean to Give?"

For the first time, the series will feature video reflections from our 2021 Ministry Partners and staff!

Mondays through Saturdays starting Ash Wednesday (February 17), we'll be releasing 40 days of video devotions on YouTube, and written devotion transcripts through a variety of mediums. Take the chance to make sure you're signed up to receive these devotions:

  • NEW: Subscribe to Outreach for Hope on YouTube to get in-app notifications when we release new video devotions.
  • NEW: Follow us @OutreachForHope on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see links to new devotion videos on your social media timeline.
  • Sign up here to receive daily emails with written transcripts and links to our video devotions.
  • Visit our Lenten Devotion webpage to download the full set of devotion transcripts as a printable PDF when it becomes available.

We hope these devotions will inspire you to reflect deeper on the gifts Christ has given us, and how we might in turn share with our neighbors in need.

May our savior's spirit of abundant grace and generosity be with you this Lenten season.

 

NEW MAILING ADDRESS

We are transitioning to the use of a Post Office Box for our mail. That address is:

PO Box 341695
Milwaukee, WI 53234

Although the Post Office has been asked to forward mail sent to our Layton Blvd address, forwarding is temporary (and not always reliable). Using the PO Box ensures that your mail arrives as quickly as possible.

If you have sent mail to us recently which was returned to you as 'undeliverable,' please resend that mail to our PO Box. We apologize for the inconvenience!

 

SHARING IS CARING!

We recently asked you to support our Year end campaign, which you did enthusiastically. Thank you for your generosity, and for sharing from your heart. I know we are asking a lot, but we would ask you to prayerfully consider one more donation at this time.

In the coming days, many taxpayers will begin to receive a second Economic Impact Payment from the government. If you are in a position to do so, we ask if you would please think about sharing a portion of the monies you receive toward the work of Outreach for Hope. 

The past year has been difficult for our Ministry Partners—yet many have found creative new ways to meet increased needs. 100% of your donation will fund grants to our 2021 Ministry Partners to spread hope in low-income neighborhoods across southeastern Wisconsin through clothing and food pantries; employment assistance; at-risk children, youth and adult programming; medical and dental care; prison ministries, and so much more.

To read several illustrations of the important work we do, please check out our Stories of Hope here...

Yes, in these uncertain times, we are called more than ever to be the spirit of love for our siblings in Christ.

Thank you considering an additional gift, and for caring for others by sharing out of your abundance as we work together to bring about God's goodness in our world.

If you have any questions or would like more details, please contact Rev. Chris Manke, Executive Director of Outreach for Hope, at 414-248-6423 or chris@outreachforhope.org.

 

2021 MINISTRY PARTNER SUMMIT

 

On Wednesday, January 13, our 2021 Ministry Partners gathered virtually to discuss new ways to work together in ministry going forward. We spent time sharing the successes of this past year, and looking for more ways to grow in our mutual work of ministry. We also spent time reflecting deeply on our language and what the deep meaning behind some of our words. It was a fruitful gathering, and the board, staff, and director are committed to meeting regularly to grow in our collaboration with one another. We look forward to seeing what new mutual work and opportunities this new year will bring!

 

RIDE/RUN/WALK CORNER
Save the date: Saturday, September 25th!

  • SAVE THE DATE: This year's Family Ride/Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Look for additional details and online registration later this year!
  • VIRTUAL POLAR BEAR RRW: Thank you to everyone who participated in our Virtual Polar Bear Ride/Run/Walk on New Year's day! Enjoy some snapshots from the event below (or search the hashtag #OFHPolarBearRRW2021 on Facebook and Twitter for even more photos):
 
 
 

Synod Wide Food Drive:
Souper Bowl Sunday, February 7th

Outreach for Hope is gearing up for a new opportunity to support feeding ministries next month! 

Fourteen days into the new year, and where would we begin to list all that has changed in 2021?

The two constants from 2020, Covid-19 and HUNGER, remain significant issues in southeast Wisconsin.

Can we count on you and your congregation to support our collaboration with Greater Milwaukee Synod and the National Souper Bowl of Caring program to assist our siblings in Southeast Wisconsin with their food needs?  

How can your congregation participate in this first Outreach for Hope Synod wide food drive? We have created two options from which you can select what is most appropriate for your congregation.  

Option # 1 – VIRTUAL Food Drive

Share the message with your congregation that many of our siblings live in food deserts and need help this winter. 

  • Consider a request of your Council to contribute a monetary donation to Outreach for Hope. Outreach for Hope will use these funds to purchase much-needed pantry products for our Ministry Partners Food Pantries.
  • All funds received will be divided equally (50/50) going 50% to Outreach for Hope's work purchasing needed items for our ministry partners and 50% to the ELCA's World Hunger campaign.
  • Ask your members to donate directly to our drive using the link here... Outreach for Hope Donation
  • Other options to collect virtually would be to send in a check to our office or include a check with your weekly offering.   

Next week Outreach for Hope will provide messaging that your church office can begin to include in your weekly communications.

Sunday, February 7, 2021 (The Big Game) will be the final contribution date for your members.

Option # 2 – Traditional Food Drive

Share the message with your congregation that many of our siblings live in food deserts and need help this winter.

  • Ask your members to begin shopping for HEALTHY food to be delivered to your church on Sunday, February 7 (The Big Game). We are suggesting that half of the food collected remain in your neighborhood for distribution to local pantries that your congregation already supports.
  • Outreach for Hope will help pick up the food from your church and deliver it to our Ministry Partners the following week. 
  • Next week, we will supply the list of items that pantries are requesting to be purchased by your members.
  • For members who aren't able to shop or drop-off food, please encourage them to donate directly to our drive using the Outreach for Hope website.  Other options will be to send a check or include a check with their church offering.   
  • Outreach for Hope will provide messaging that your church office can include in your weekly communications.
  • When the food delivery occurs on the 7th, consider timing this to your normal church's Sunday morning schedule in conjunction with the food drop off, and including a prayer petition in your worship services, something like this- "For this congregation to be a part of sharing God's abundance, so that all would have equal access to healthy food."
  • Consider a request of your Council to contribute a monetary donation to Outreach for Hope. Outreach for Hope will use these funds to purchase much-needed pantry products for our Ministry Partners food pantries.

Please let us know if your congregation can participate and which option #1 or #2 that you would prefer. 

Also, please provide us with a contact person for this project, including their email and cell phone number.  

Thank you so much for considering this SUPER opportunity to care for our neighbors in need.

As siblings in Christ, we know the importance of caring for one another. I pray that we will all come together as the church and share with those who do not have enough food today, both here in Wisconsin and around the world. 

And may all God's people say AMEN! and be blessed with enough.

 

CELEBRATE WITH US!

Join us in marking two exciting milestones for Outreach for Hope:

  • 30,000TH DONATION: Congratulations to Matt Stein of Oconomowoc for making our 30,000th donation (an exciting milestone during our 25th year as an organization)! And thank you to all of the individuals, congregations and organizations whose financial support makes our work across Southeast Wisconsin possible. None of what we accomplish would be possible without you. THANK YOU!!!
  • MOST SUCCESSFUL YEAR-END CAMPAIGN EVER: A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to our End of Year giving campaign! Thanks to your support, we received more than we've ever collected in a year-end campaign, and the number of donors doubled from last year! YOU ROCK! Thank you for your generosity and spirit of giving!
 

COATS FOR THE COLD UPDATE

 

Thank you to everyone who participated in our first ever Coats for the Cold campaign! With your help, we were able to raise funds to purchase over 350 winter coats to be distributed by our ministry partners throughout Southeast Wisconsin. THANK YOU!

 

MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT VIDEOS

Haven't had the chance to watch our Ministry Spotlight videos yet? Check them out now to learn more about the transformative work of our Ministry Partners throughout Southeast Wisconsin, and stay tuned for new videos coming soon!

 

Outreach for Hope
PO Box 341695  | Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53234
414-671-1212 | ofhinfo@outreachforhope.org

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