| YE OFFICIAL SERTOMA NEWSLETTER April 7, 2021 |
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| Newsletter Archives | |
| Program | |
The speaker today was Shannon Mills Executive Director from the Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen. The motto for the Soup Kitchen is simple, “Since 1987 we’ve been able to say as a community . . .”No one among us needs to go to bed hungry”The Soup Kitchen began in 1987 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd, MN. It soon evolved into a ministry of the wider community of the Brainerd Lakes Area and eventually moved to its current location near downtown Brainerd at 923 Oak Street. It was decided early on that it would be important to treat their guests as though they were Christ Himself, i.e., with dignity and respect. This has been the guiding principle and the Soup Kitchen has continued in this way ever since.This is a non-denominational, non-profit Christian organization that opens its doors to all who come with no questions asked.Volunteers come to the Soup Kitchen from every part of the Brainerd Lakes Area community and represent many local churches, businesses, service groups and neighborhoods.
Each day they plan the menu, prepare and serve the food and clean up the kitchen and serving area. Donations come from the community including Essentia Health . They are part of a food coalition that picks up food from local businesses like Target, Costco and Chipotle.
They are now in their third location. Shannon is the only employee and part time and they are serving one meal for each day a week with just volunteers. They switched up their programs to vary their services for different needs when the pandemic hit. Some are drive through, some days they get a hot meal and groceries. Lutheran social services, homeless people being kept in hotels, and specialized foods for different living circumstances are included in these new processes. 155,000 pounds of food (approximately) has left the Soup Kitchen since the pandemic. They are partners with Operation Sandwich. They bag the groceries for them. Bridges of Hope gives out Laundry Soap on Wednesday.
They are in the Frontlines dealing with people who are affected by the pandemic. There are no questions asked and that helps the people that are first time users of the Soup Kitchen. Shannon feels that was a real need since many do not qualify for food stamps and other assistance.
She thanked the group that was running Full Tummies. Saturdays are now two to go meals with some extra help. Next week they are going back to one meal a day because the county is no longer housing homeless. They have a waiting list for people who want to help with the program. She concluded with wishing that everyone could see how God is providing by walking in her shoes. She mentioned 350 pies from Cosco. Then there was the lasagna noodles. She got a double donation and with the help of another employee who could use their funds for a discount she was able to hand out grocery bags with the ingredients including the expensive cheese to make lasagna. They needed a walk in fridge and freezer to accommodate the donated rescue food. They put together a plan to have all the food organizations use this.
Now they want to hire a full time employee and get a van to pick up donations. Bob Nibbe mentioned trying to make a meal out of donated rack of lamb for them. They disguised it and called it ham. Wild game is not something that can be donated. Groups that volunteer have to be 6 to 8 people since they are not serving but delivering outside to pickup. Their biggest need throughout the year is financial, some extra volunteer help on cleaning days would also help.
“Through food we can offer people in need a little bit of hope.”
| Board Report | |||||
| September 15, 2020 Report
September Report July 21, 2020 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Board Reports |
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| Announcements | |||||
| Sponsorship had $6,000 to give away this year They have donated to Sunshine Sertoma, Brainerd public library, Brainerd High School class of 2021 grad blast, Northland Arboretum, , Relay for LIfe, Brainerd Women’s Center just to mention a few. They have $1100 and encourage worthy causes to contact them soon through the website. This is not restricted to non profits. This money must be distributed by the end of June.
Saturday is a big food distribution 3 p.m.. Saturday at Bethlehem Lutheran. Volunteers are needed to help unload the truck at 2 p.m. No restrictions on who can take advantage of this big event so spread the word to anyone in need –all are welcome. Take down gym coupons in support of the Pohl Children’s foundation–$10 see Beth for this opportunity. Flag Meeting Thursday April 8th at the Red Sand Pub (Gary Walters) house at 5:30. Chef Mike will be catering. More details will follow but save the date and help us continue to make this tremendous patriotic contribution to the city of Brainerd to make money for so many worthwhile charities that rely on Sertoma for contributions. It is at 5:30 and you are welcome to attend if you let Gary know you are coming even if you are not on the flag committee.May is coming Quickly! Please RSVP to Gary Walters if you plan to attend since food and beverages are an issue. 218 820 0968. Look for the email for specific directions
Arbor Day Celebration Saturday, May 1st Noon to 4 p.m. Free activities for the family at the Northland ARBORETUM. See event flyer. Auction and free giveaways also. Several social opportunities including Winter Wonderland Wrap Up party and Ditch pick will be announced soon. This is a great time to return to the fold. AGAIN WE CAN ONLY SAY: “there is nothing like attending a meeting in person. Please consider returning to the in person fold. It is much more fun with more people to pick on for fines!!
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| Upcoming Events | |||||
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| Blue Ticket Winner | |||||
| Chuck Brenny | |||||
| Pot-O-Gold Winner | |||||
| Joe Enge | |||||
| Attendance | |||||
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| Guests: Shannon Mills from the Soup Kitchen and Ben Sommers from Window Galaxy who is joining |
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| * Everyone is encouraged to bring potential members to a Sertoma meeting with the Club picking up the cost. However, you will be billed $11.00 for any other guests. | |||||
| Greeter Schedule | |||||
| Remember: As greeter you have several duties. You need to arrive about 10 minutes early. It is your job to greet people, help them find their badges and sell them a ticket if they wish to participate. The money collected must be divided by the Greeters equally–half goes to the Current Club Treasurer for the social committee and half goes to the Club President along with the bucket of tickets. Greeter duties now include handing out the volunteer cards to everyone as they come in the door. They will still be collected in the bucket with the badges or can be submitted to the treasurer. Be there by 11:45 and call somebody to substitute for you if you can’t be there. |
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| Sertoman of the Day | |||||
| Of Note | |||||
| Fun to welcome our new member Ben Sommers–Mary was ordering new windows for her house today and brought him along so she didn’t miss the meeting and signed him up–great work Mary M..
The Arb needs volunteers for our Arbor Day Celebration coming up on May 1st. Here is the link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48ACAE2CA7F9C07-arbor Thank you! |
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| Business Notes | |||||
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We have two new members with two very useful services to offer our members. Becky Johannes is a Master Technician offering her pest solutions that have already been verified by several very satisfied Sertoma customers Ben Sommers is with Windows Galaxy and this is their advertisement:
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| Rumor Corner | |||||
This Weeks Humor
Spread the Laughter, Share the Cheer, Let’s be Happy, while we’re here!
This week I reached out to one of my favorite long time members, Jeff Fitch. He updated me on his move to Alaska at 6 a.m. his time on his way to work. The area they are living in is called “The Valley 60 miles from Anchorage. He went back to take over a job working with the state in refrigeration where he spent 10 years being mentored by the guy who was retiring. He is 4,080 miles away from Brainerd and being overrun by moose in his yard. He stated, “ I am enjoying retirement” and indicated that his new “old” job makes him feel retired. They do however still have snow there right now. We could actually use some snow –moisture!!
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| International News | |||||
| Notes from your President Ken Toole |
| Our president is sharing wisdom each week to encourage our members to be positive ambassadors for our great club.
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Sertoma North Minnesota District
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