Making a Difference
by Frances Blizard

See: Who are These Interfaith People We Help?

IT WAS EXCITING! Maybe not as exciting as the last three minutes of the fourth quarter in a Broncos game, but exciting for all of us at CUUC. Inter-Faith Community Services has a yearly holiday program which asks people to sponsor a needy family by buying two gifts for each child and grocery certificates for the homemaker. In other words, putting Christmas into the homes of people who otherwise would have none.

How many families did we sponsor? TWENTY-SIX! Yes, twenty-six families were able to have a real Christmas, all because of you. A few years ago Inter-Faith called us "The Little Church That Could". We could then, we can now, and we're just going to keep on chugging!

There is still a cold winter ahead of us, so if you have warm clothing and blankets that are not being used please bring them to the Community Basket. And, as always, food of all kinds is needed.

May the joy of Christmas follow us into the coming year.

Frances Blizard, JustACT

THE FOOD BANK AT INTER-FAITH -- This is a huge part of the help that Inter-Faith gives to the needy. There is always a need for staples like beans, macaroni and cheese, canned meat, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, and canned fruit to begin with. Please remember that many children are home all summer and grazing away, so cookies and snack food will be welcome.

Who Are These Inter-Faith People We Help?

Today I was at Inter-Faith Community Services to sign up families for the Ready, Set, School program that CUUC participates in each year. Children between kindergarten and eighth grade receive backpacks with school supplies and a new outfit to wear when classes start. I’d like to share with you the story of one woman whose story was particularly touching.

Missing her front teeth, she was a bit hard to understand as she told of having five children — all epileptic. One died in Guatemala at the age of five, because they had no money to take her to the hospital. She went on with a big smile to say that things were ever so much better here, because her severely disabled four-year-old was able to receive regular medication and hadn’t had a convulsion in weeks. Her husband supports them all on a minimum-wage job, since she needs to care full-time for the young handicapped boy, who has emotional as well as physical problems. In spite of this, she told of their family having taken in a young woman with three children because she was being abused and had nowhere to turn. For the last several months they have had three adults and seven children living in their tiny apartment. “It’s a little tight,” she said, “but there was no way that I could turn away someone that needed help.”

It was hard — very hard — for me to tell this woman that her kids would likely not get backpacks this year. Inter-Faith has had to establish a priority system in which those who’ve received backpacks in the past rank lower than those new to the program. This is because the need so far exceeds the number of sponsors. She smiled again, said she understood, but that she sure hoped it would be possible because that is the only set of new clothes her kids got all last year and they had been thrilled.

When Frances asks you to be a sponsor this year, please think of this dear woman who has had such a rough life and yet finds it in her heart to support those who are having an even harder time. - Ann Wederspahn

Ongoing Interfaith Activities

READY, SET, SCHOOL! — Formerly called “Pack to School”, its goal is to outfit needy children to return to school feeling as if they belong. A new outfit, a backpack, school supplies and a $15 shoe certificate make all the difference in a child's life, and his parents' too. Because of our generous congregation, over EIGHTEEN children started school last fall feeling good about themselves.

TURKEY BUCKS — For many years Inter-Faith has distributed over 600 food baskets to its clients and were able to include a turkey in each one, thanks to the generosity of a local poultry company. A few years ago the company withdrew its support, and IFCS had to buy turkeys, at a cost of about $10 each. That was $6,000 , and they had to ask for help from the community. That's when “Turkey Bucks” got its name.

In 2006, rather than buy turkeys for $10, Inter-Faith had a better idea. Instead of including a twelve-pound turkey, they decided each food basket would receive a $5.00 certificate for King Soopers. In this way, each family could buy a turkey or anything else for its Thanksgiving dinner. With its customary enthusiasm, our church raised over $1,222 for Turkey Bucks! If you think I'm exaggerating, simply go back and read the December '06 newsletter. In '07 even more money was raised. It all says that the idea of Thanksgiving without a turkey (or something else special) was unacceptable to our members.

SPONSORING FAMILIES AT CHRISTMAS — Just imagine a child waking up on Christmas morning and finding his stocking empty. That is common in many of the families that exist below the poverty line. What Inter-Faith has done is to ask people (churches, businesses, civic groups) to sponsor a family. This involves giving the homemaker food certificates (so she can plan her own holiday meal) and two gifts to each child in the family.
It costs more to sponsor a large family than a small one; often groups of people as well as committees will get together and choose a large family. Last year people in our church sponsored SEVENTEEN FAMILIES (you can check that out in the 1-07 Connection). Each year we do better, and I hope that continues this holiday season

Our response to these special occasions is outstanding, (Inter-Faith calls us “The Little Church That Could”) but it's just as important to remember the everyday needs of the clients who depend on Inter-Faith. Their Food Bank often has empty shelves, and food drives by schools and churches and businesses are vital. In fact, this church will be holding a food drive at the Coal Mine Road King Soopers on Saturday, April 19, as part of COLUMBINE ACTS. Mark your calendars.

And ... Please keep bringing donations of clothing and contributions for the Inter-Faith Food Bank.