March News from IOCP

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Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners

March 2011

Greetings!

At IOCP's 2009 annual meeting, we shared a vision. IMAGINE WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER was the big hairy audacious idea brought forward. If this community could come together to acquire, renovate, and develop a new community family and children center at the site of the former Erickson New Market at County Road 6 and Highway 101 in Plymouth, IMAGINE WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER! That vision is now a work in progress. Come join us to celebrate what this amazing community has accomplished in one short year at our 2010 annual meeting on Thursday, April 13. Save the date! Stay tuned for details on time and place.

LaDonna Hoy
Executive Director

Partners Step Up for March Food Drive

The 50-50 Challenge is underway

Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community and Edina Realty are two of many IOCP partners helping us reach our March goal of 50,000 lbs. and $50,000 by April 1. To date, we have collected 24,519 lbs. and $4,806.

Bill Rudolph Holy Name collects food every week, not just during the March Campaign. About 150 to 200 families bring items each Sunday, and the youth come forward with the food during the offering. Bill Rudolph (pictured), long-time member, drops off the food at the IOCP Food Shelf in his red truck. "It's been a part of my Monday routine since 1991," he said.

For the past 10 years, Edina Realty in Wayzata has collected food and funds for IOCP's food shelf during the March Campaign and the holidays. "It's important for us to give back and participate in the community," said Rebecca Reid.

In addition to the Edina Realty Foundation, which puts up a match for agents who contribute a portion from each closing to the food shelf, Rebecca's office tried something new this year. "We created a cookbook named 'Sold on Home Cooking,' " she said. "Everyone contributed at least one favorite recipe. The cookbook sells for $15, and all the proceeds go to the IOCP Food Shelf."

There's still plenty of time for you to get involved in the 50-50 Challenge. Drop off your donation before April 1 and help us respond to the more than 250 families that rely on our food shelf every week. List of items needed. Or make a cash donation online.

IOCP also leverages cash donations to its food shelf through the Feinstein Foundation challenge. To qualify, funds must be received between March 1 and April 30 (write "Feinstein Challenge" on memo line).

KCC Garage Sale

Community treasures galore

Messiah United Methodist Church is sponsoring a garage sale May 18-20, for Kids' Care Connection (KCC), a facility that provides low-income families with high-quality care and early childhood education.

Start your spring cleaning and bring items to the storage pod in the church parking lot at 17805 County Road 6, Plymouth. Items can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Items not accepted are TVs, computers, exercise equipment, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, children's car seats, and metal desks.

Volunteers are needed, as well as 5 to 10 tables. Contact Sue Branyon (763) 476-2052. Other questions? Call Jeanie Mallberg (612) 710-0403.

Waffle Breakfast Fuels IOCP

Volunteers coordinate successful annual event

A faithful group of long-time IOCP volunteers pulled off another great Waffle Breakfast this year, despite a snowstorm. Thanks to all who helped raise $4,495--all by enjoying delicious food!

The mission of IOCP is to identify and respond to the basic unmet needs of people in our community, and to assist them in moving toward self-sufficiency through the creative action of an inclusive partnership of communities of faith, schools, government, business, community groups, foundations, health systems, and individuals.