I N T E R F A I T H   O U T R E A C H   &   C O M M U N I T Y   P A R T N E R S
 
Creating opportunities for all to thrive

         e-Touch                                                                     December 2013            
 

Sleep Out 2013 was launched with a walk in prayer for families and kids of our community. A prayer chain created along the way is mounted in IOCP's reception area, and a light of hope lantern placed in the window will remain there throughout the campaign.

 

People seeking help at IOCP have been invited to add their prayers to the chain. They have, and it's lengthened significantly. This invitation and their response is lifting their hearts and ours. A simple but powerful sign of God's presence in the midst of a faithful and caring community holding us fast in love and trusting that love to be shared and received in community.

 

The Sleep Out has become a communitywide way for us to be light for one another - each of us and all of us according to our gifts.

 

Pray with us, friends. Stay with us for a successful campaign that will inflame the hope of the people God entrusts to our care. We're halfway there. We've a ways to go. Thank you so much!

 

LaDonna Hoy

Executive Director

 
Did You Know?
   

--662 families received turkeys, pies and extra items from our food shelf to make their Thanksgiving special. Thank you to the generous community who made this possible!

 

--Donations received in the IOCP office by 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3 will be recorded as 2013 donations, unless otherwise indicated by the donor. Donations received after Jan. 3 will be recorded as 2014 donations. Thank you!

 

--The Wayzata Women's Chorus will hold a holiday concert to benefit IOCP at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at St. Bartholomew Catholic Faith Community, 630 E. Wayzata Blvd. in Wayzata. Tickets are $12.

Upcoming Events  
 
11/11-12/31 Cakes for a Cause 
12/10             Bankers' Souper Sleep Out Cook Off
12/11             Midnight Madness at ReSale 101
12/11             Deadline to donate food for holidays
12/12             Dundee Family Night Out
12/14             Photos with Santa at ReSale 101
12/16             Wayzata Women's Chorus Concert
12/20             Holiday To Do(nate)
12/31             9 a.m.-3 p.m., IOCP open for end-of-year donation drop-offs
Links
The Sleep Out: 907 Families Still Need Our Help
 
Sleep Out logo The Sleep Out is going strong. Thanks to supporters like you, we have raised $1 million toward our goal of $2,067,000. That's 870 families we will be able to help on the road to stability in the coming year!

 

But, there are 907 more families who still need our help. Most will have nowhere to turn if IOCP isn't there.

 

There are only 22 days until the campaign ends, and we still need to raise $1,067,000. Here's how you can help:  

  1. Donate online at www.iocp.org or by mail to 1605 Co Rd 101 N, Plymouth 55447.
  2. Send an e-mail to your network of friends and colleagues to let them know you are supporting the Sleep Out and hope they will join you. (Here's some sample text you can use: I'm supporting IOCP's Sleep Out campaign to help struggling families in the western suburbs. Will you join with me this holiday season to help our neighbors? Donate now at www.iocp.org).
  3. Join us for the Bankers Souper Sleep Out Cook Off at IOCP from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, Dec 10. 8 banks are participating, and the cost is $10 for all-you-can-eat soup. Vote for your favorite with your dollars. All proceeds support the Sleep Out.
  4. Shop 'til you drop - Midnight Madness at ReSale 101, 8 p.m.-midnight, Dec. 11.
  5. Shop with a Purpose on Dec. 20: Spend your day shopping and supporting 17 area retail establishments, including great spots for coffee, lunch and happy hour!

Holiday Gifts for New Clients

 

blue-gift.jpg

Thank you to everyone who signed up to sponsor a family through our Holiday Gift Program this year! 519 families -- 1,819 individuals -- have been sponsored!

 

Since registration ended, families continue to come to us asking for help with holiday gifts. These are families who may have recently experienced a crisis, such as a job loss, unexpected medical bill or car repair.

 

We don't want to turn anyone away. Will you help by providing a gift card to a local merchant, such as Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Cub foods, Rainbow Foods, Holiday Gas, Kohl's, JC Penney, Sears or Barnes & Noble? Gift cards can be dropped off at IOCP. Or you can make a donation online now. Thank you!

 

The Season of Giving Back  

 

Donate Holiday Food 

 

We're gearing up to offer holiday food items in our food shelf to ensure the families we serve can make a special meal. We are in need of nuts and crackers, stuffing mix, canned green beans and sweet potatoes, baking ingredients and mixes and other non-perishable holiday food items. Donations are requested by Dec. 11.  

 

Pass on Gently Used Coats

 

The cold weather has settled in, and we're in need of new or gently used coats, snowsuits, gloves, mittens and hats for all ages and sizes. Your gently used coats will be put to good use!  

 

Bake Cookies 

  

Donate cookies and bars to be served at the annual Client Holiday Party and gift distribution. Whether homemade or store purchased, donations should be packaged and labeled with quantity and type, and delivered to IOCP Dec. 9-11.

Holiday To Do(nate)

Shop with A Purpose: Dec. 20

 

 

17 generous area businesses will be donating a percentage of their sales to the Sleep Out on Friday, Dec. 20. Do your last-minute shopping, stop for a bite to eat, and know that your "to do" list will make the day brighter for struggling families in our community. Please be sure to visit these businesses on Dec.20:  

 

* Peg's Countryside Caf�, Hamel

* Solar Nails, Plymouth

* UPS Store, Wayzata

* Country Cake and Cupboard, Long Lake

* The Foursome Fine Apparel & Shoes, Plymouth

* Sunsets Restaurant, Wayzata

* Bob's Shoe Repair, Wayzata

* Schuler Shoes, Wayzata

* Herb's Service Center, Plymouth

* Brost Clinic, Wayzata

* Sun & Ski, Wayzata

* Candlelight Floral, Wayzata

* Fashion Avenue 2, Wayzata

* Otten Bros. Garden Center, Long Lake 

* Data Doctors, Wayzata

* McCormick's Pub and Restaurant, Wayzata

* Sushi Fix, Wayzata   

Volunteer Spotlight: Dick Reed

  

With the holiday season approaching, IOCP recognizes Dick Reed. Dick was better known to the IOCP family as Santa Claus, whom he played for many years at the annual IOCP Client Holiday Party. Dick passed away on August 4, 2013. He is dearly missed by all at IOCP. Read this moving tribute of Dick
Mission
The mission of IOCP is to engage the heart and will of the community to respond to emergency needs and create opportunities for all to thrive.
  
                   
Contact Us
1605 County Road 101 N
Plymouth MN 55447
(763) 489-7500
  
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Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners and the IOCP Endowment Fund, which solely benefits IOCP, are registered         501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Gifts to either organization are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.