by Dennis Dalman
information@thenewsleaders.com
For a lot of months, they’ve supplied meals, consolation objects and, simply as essential, hope to COVID-positive households in quarantine, to households the place a father had misplaced his job, to single moms whose working hours have been lowered and homeless households. Stayed in motels.
“They” are the various donors and lots of volunteers from the Sartell Celebration Lutheran Church Neighborhood Free Store. They’ve been serving to individuals in want within the space because the COVID-19 pandemic started virtually a yr in the past, and they’re nonetheless working arduous as a result of the necessity for assist continues.
These ongoing wants are why Neighborhood Free Retailer volunteers are requesting extra donations of meals, comfort objects, and present playing cards. To discover ways to assist, see the underside of this story.
The responses from grateful recipients of the help have been overwhelming, based on one of many founders / organizers, Jessica Lundsetter. He posted a few of these solutions on the CLC Free Retailer web site:
“I simply need everybody to know the way a lot I admire all of the meals and the extras they helped us with. I’ve by no means had to make use of a service like this so it was very tough for me, however occasions are robust proper now with being out of labor for a month. As soon as once more, thanks very a lot” – single mom with two youngsters.
“A neighbor approached on behalf of his Somali neighbors. He stated they have been too scared to ask for assist. We ship meals and cleansing provides. That is what his neighbor texted us after the supply: ‘They cried for the meals and we made rice collectively.’ ” – a Free Retailer volunteer.
“I’m overwhelmed! You could have made my day! A great factor that has come out of that is the group you’re in. Form and beneficiant individuals such as you who assist others in want that you just have no idea, anticipating nothing in return besides the individual is properly and pleased … God is unquestionably caring for you and others and saying, ‘Effectively achieved’. He’s certainly blessing you. “ – a “grandmother” who acquired a masks, raspberries, bread, cat meals, cleansing provides and puzzles.
The free store of the CLC Neighborhood takes its motto of service from the Bible: “As a result of I used to be hungry and also you gave me meals; I used to be thirsty and also you gave me a drink; He was a stranger and also you welcomed me. “- Mateo, 25:30.
The right way to assist
On its web site, the CLC Neighborhood Free Retailer lists solutions for learn how to assist. Folks should buy meals and / or consolation equipment kits. Gadgets could be positioned in cardboard bins or massive paper baggage and delivered to the Celebration Lutheran Church foyer throughout enterprise hours: 9 am to 2 pm Monday by means of Thursday; Fridays from 9 am to midday or through the on-line worship service at 9 am each Sunday.
The web site could be accessed at: www.celebrationlutheranchurch.com. Scroll right down to CLC Neighborhood Free Retailer. Then click on “Click on HERE for a whole equipment buy listing.”
The positioning features a listing of 10 kits for which individuals should buy the merchandise and convey them with notes to customise the kits. Donors even have the choice of together with a number of present playing cards.
Pattern kits embrace:
Kindness Breakfast Equipment: 1 field of pancake combine, 1 bottle of syrup, 1 field of cereal, 1 field of oatmeal, 1 packet or 2 cans of fruit cups, 1 jug of juice.
Pasta Meal Equipment: 2 packets of noodles, 2 jars of pasta sauce, 2 kilos of burger.
Comfort private care equipment: toothbrushes, toothpaste tube, shampoo, conditioner, bar of cleaning soap, four rolls of bathroom paper, 1 field of tissues, 1 hand sanitizer.
Child Care Equipment: Diaper pack, child wipes pack.
One other method to assist is to ship a test donation to Celebration Lutheran Church, 1500 Pinecone Rd. N., Sartell MN 53677. Write “Free Retailer” on the word line of the test.
Need assistance?
If you happen to or somebody wants meals or every day care objects, please contact the CLC Free Retailer. Name Jessica at 320-255-0488, ext. 109. Or ship an electronic mail to CLCstore@CelebrationLutheranChurch.com
Everyone seems to be welcome to obtain articles. No questions requested.

contributed picture
These are meal kits able to be delivered by volunteers from the Celebration Lutheran Church Neighborhood Free Retailer in Sartell. The group of volunteers has been serving to individuals in want of consolation meals and objects because the Covid-19 pandemic started almost a yr in the past, and meals wants proceed.
Writer: Dennis Dalman
information@thenewsleaders.com
Dalman was born and raised in South St. Cloud, graduated from St. Cloud Tech Excessive Faculty, then graduated from St. Cloud State College with a level in English (emphasis on American and British literature) and mass communications (emphasis on print journalism). He studied in London, England for a yr (1980-81), the place he targeting British literature, political science, the historical past of Nice Britain and wrote an in depth examine on the British author VS Naipaul. Dalman has been a weekly reporter and columnist for greater than 30 years and labored for the Alexandria Echo Press for 16 of these years.