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After over two years of planning and implementation, HSHM successfully converted our pantry to a co-op about 18 months ago. We call our co-op “Bread For Life,” and through this ministry the co-op members gain access to real food and real community. There's no subscription fee to listen or read our stories. Everyone can access this essential public service thanks to community support.
We also became aware of the feelings of shame, embarrassment, and discomfort our pantry recipients were experiencing. Once we took the time to honestly look and listen, we heard statements like, “I can’t believe I have to come to a food pantry,” and we saw the downcast faces of the recipients. The free food we were offering often came at the cost of program recipients sacrificing personal dignity. HSHM was founded by Billy Shelper on Thanksgiving Dayin 1917, said Debbi Reese, director of client services. Today the organization runs a shelter, food pantry and outreach program. Home Sweet Home's Ministries also has a addiction rehab center it is called the Threshold Program.
Housing Services
We have individuals and families that seek out Home Sweet Home from all walks of life. Most are struggling to make ends meet and are looking for help to get back out on their own. Now, with an active co-op membership in excess of 425 households, the message is clear to us – people want to be given the opportunity to provide for themselves & will jump at the chance to do so. We have people who joined the co-op that had been told they have nothing worthwhile to contribute.
Each year, the Home Sweet Home Ministries serve thousands of hot meals to the homeless and distribute hundreds of food boxes to the poor in our area. In these tough times, it's comforting to know that there are organizations like Home Sweet Home Ministries in Illinois that are there to help those who are struggling. This organization provides food pantries for those in need, and it's thanks to the generosity of volunteers and donors that they are able to do this important work. If you're looking for a way to help out your community, consider donating to or volunteering with Home Sweet Home Ministries. If you have a “green thumb” and a passion for helping the hungry here in our own town, we’d love to have you join us.
Food Pantry:
We review compensation data across the organization to identify disparities by race. Unlock financial insights by subscribing to our monthly plan. Church relationships; frequent interface with local churches towards deeper engagement with Home Sweet Home Ministries.
A Threshold is a Biblically oriented model of Grace and Truth for people struggling with issues that affect their ability to live independently. The overall goal of the Threshold Program is to facilitate and promote meaningful life transformation through relationships that are safe, authentic and accountable. Next, we made some incremental changes.We then began to evaluate the feasibility of converting our pantry to a co-op. This involved changing the physical layout of our food storage area and adding equipment like glass-front coolers and freezers that are conducive to the shopping experience. We were blessed with the support of local businesses who provided funds to purchase a new freezer for this purpose. At the same time, we started to inform our customers about our upcoming change to becoming a low income food co-op.
Home Sweet Home Ministries food pantry sees cupboards bare
We thought we’d see a significant drop off in households when we made the switch, but we’ve seen just the opposite! In fact, even before we opened, over 100 people submitted co-op membership applications and we now serve more households as a co-op than we ever did as a food pantry . "We've served four or five times the number of people in the food pantry as we did in 2007, said Salvation Army spokeswoman Andrea Raycraft. "Our shelves are bare.
That is part of what makes the Thanksgiving meals special, because they have enough for everyone. We could not do what we do without the financial support of our faith, community and corporate partners...as well as the 100's of individual donors who account for the large majority of donations we recieve. Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions.
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Do you have a story to share about poverty alleviation in your community? If so, please consider joining me and other NACSW members who have launched the Poverty Alleviation member interest group. We can use your help in sharing ideas and inspiration with the rest of the NACSW membership. For additional information about the Poverty Alleviation member interest group, contact Rick Chamiec-Case.
His projects at HSHM have included setting up the storage room and staff offices and working in the warehouse, where he says he was the first volunteer. Gift cards to local grocery stores like Aldi's, Walmart, Food Lion, and Piggly Wiggly help us provide perishable items like milk and bread. HOWEVER...we cannot do so without the support of our monthly partners. We receive no government monies or grants...depending solely on the generosity of our financial donors. We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
The Bread For Life Food Co-op is a membership-based program where patrons can either work for two hours in exchange for their groceries, or work one hour and pay $5. This model allows people to use their own capabilities to provide food for their families, according to Home Sweet Home Ministries. People also are able to choose their food instead of receiving a prepackaged box under other pantry models.
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. LocalWiki is a grassroots effort to collect, share and open the world’s local knowledge. A truly innovative & transformational “next steps” program that will change lives in a profound way and prepare them to move them from homeless to “at home”. We promise we will see your money is used on our greatest need at the time & that it will touch a life in a profound way…offering hope to someone who desperately needs it. With your kindness and generosity, we can “change the face of homelessness” one person at a time. We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
Food service workers started in early September to cook turkeys that would be preserved until Thanksgiving, said Carol Schrenk, food services manager. In total, they cooked more than 70 turkeys, made eight gallons of gravy, prepared more than 25 pans of sides and sliced 60 pies. On Thursday, staff and volunteers were delivering more than 260 meals and then getting ready for a community meal at the shelter. They maintain a strong dedication to making sure everyone gets a Thanksgiving meal, Reese said. Emergency shelter is provided for men, women, and children experiencing homelessness. Case management, work service, educational offerings, meal services, and counseling are available.
Grounds keeping during summer months.Furniture moving as needed.Painting as needed.Light construction as needed.Renovation point of contract or consultant to help us organize these activities. Meal cards, which allow non-residents to eat lunch and dinner daily in there facility. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Your monthly gift of ANY amount will allow us to continue our fight to turn "home street home" into "home sweet home".
When we tell them we need them and want them to utilize their God-given talents and abilities, they positively light up! Our Co-op Advisory Board shares responsibility with us in charting the future direction and scope of the co-op. We take their guidance on things like membership requirements, food products to stock, classes to offer, etc.
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