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Dear friends,
Over the years volunteers have built Interfaith Outreach from the ground up. From a small seed of an idea in a church basement 40 years ago, to a growing nonprofit organization that journeys beside nearly 2,000 local families each year.
Last week was National Volunteer Week, and we could not be more grateful for the 1,967 volunteers who gave 67,235 hours last year to power up our work together.
Won't you take a little trip down memory lane with me and watch a short video created to highlight the power of our volunteers - who make our work possible every day?
And, as we look ahead to a spring thaw (for real this time) and summer sun, we appreciate the gifts each and every one of you bring to the table. Preventing hunger, celebrating all faith traditions, building relationships, fostering friendships. It takes all of these things and every one of you.
Thank you for staying with us, friends.
LaDonna Hoy
Executive Director
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Providing holiday support for families of many faith traditions
In recent years, Interfaith Outreach expanded its December Holiday Gift Program to support local Muslim client families, similar to how we help Christian and Jewish neighbors. The upcoming Muslim holiday celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which means "Festival of Breaking Fast," happens immediately after the holy month of Ramadan. Many Muslim families celebrate the end of Ramadan by buying new clothing for their children and creating cherished memories by visiting family entertainment venues during the holiday.
To alleviate the additional financial stress of the holiday period, and with your help, Interfaith Outreach hopes to provide gift cards to Target for clothes and passes to entertainment venues for fun family activities. Our goal is to help an anticipated 300 individuals using a $50-per-person guideline. This is the same financial guideline we use for our December Holiday Gift Program. Learn more >
Can you contribute to this important effort?
- Drop off or mail Target gift cards (increments of $25) to Interfaith Outreach by May 10
- Donate by May 27 to help fund gift cards (if giving online, select "Eid Holiday Program" from the drop-down menu; include in memo line if giving by check)
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| Happy National Volunteer Month! |
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A note from Liz, Community Engagement Director
Whenever I hear our tagline - igniting the power of community - an image of a volunteer pops into my mind. I think of the volunteer who donates a bag of individual frozen meals each month because she heard our seniors really appreciate them. Or the high school student who stepped out of his comfort zone to chat with an immigrant man, probably his father's age, who wanted to practice his English skills. Words were few, but smiles were plenty. Or the young woman who, on top of coursework for two masters programs and caring for her family, finds time to tutor and mentor some of our high school youth. And I think of the hardworking and joyful volunteer who also visits our food shelf when her resources are tight. These images, and so many others, remind me that Interfaith Outreach is made up of a strong community of caring, talented and generous people.
Thank you to all of the nearly 2,000 individuals who volunteer with Interfaith Outreach. You ignite the power of community.
Warmly,
Liz Erstad-Hicks
Community Engagement Director
P.S. Take a peek at the quick video below and reflect with us on our amazing volunteers the past 40 years!
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THANK YOU FOR PREVENTING HUNGER
It takes everyone - everyone
We often say it takes everyone, everyone (intentionally repeating that critical word) because it is true. The power of this community is ignited by not one or a few, but by every one of you. Thank you to all who participated in the Interfaith Outreach Prevent Hunger campaign. The food drives, donations and events help address and prevent hunger locally. We are pleased to announce that your generosity provided 106,000 p
ounds of food shelf donations and $159,000
to help nourish, employ and provide family support services to our neighbors all year long. More >
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Spread Your Wings Gala
Sold Out!
Registration for the Spread Your Wings Gala is closed. If you would like to be added to the waitlist or are interested in volunteering for the event, please contact Sarah Williams at 763-489-7515 or [email protected].
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Change in 2019 Plant Sale
This year Interfaith Outreach will not be hosting a plant sale in May. We appreciate the community's past support and have enjoyed being part of your beautiful gardens. Thank you!
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Caring for Kids Breakfast
The annual Caring for Kids Breakfast, which supports hundreds of local children ages 0-5 and their families, will be held in August or September this year. Stay tuned for details about time, place and guest speaker in upcoming communications.
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We're hiring! We are growing as an organization and adding staff. Join our team. Learn about our open positions.
More >
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April's Volunteer Spotlight is Joan Floren, a force of positive energy who tackles many Interfaith events.
More >
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It's that time of year again! Spring cleaning means a stop at Resale Select with your new and gently used quality donations. See most needed items online.
More >
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Have you seen our 40th Anniversary print newsletter yet? Take a peek at the online version and share the inspirational stories with others.
More >
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