Seasonal Opportunities - Augustana Lutheran Church, Denver, CO

Lenten Food Drive for Metro CareRing

Although Augustana members and friends donate groceries to Metro CareRing year-round, a special emphasis is added during Lent to help carry out the Lenten discipline of works of love. Augustana members and friends are encouraged to generously donate items like:

2 pounds of rice
2 pounds of pinto beans
2 cans of tuna fish
2 boxes of mac & cheese
2 cans of soups, stews
1 can of vegetables
3 cans of fruit
1 can of tomatoes
pasta and pasta sauce
oatmeal and cereal
peanut butter
toilet paper
bar soap
shampoo
sanitary napkins
diapers (medium, large)

Collection bins area available in Augustana’s narthex and Fellowship Hall. This drive provides a large portion of the food that Augustana gives to Metro CareRing during the year. Who to contact: Kay and Ken Madsen (720-949-1633, kandcmadsen@comcast.net). Who can participate: Adults and children of all ages.

Faith Advocacy Day (Lutheran Day at the Legislature)

One day a year in February, Denver’s community is invited to the Rocky Mountain Synod’s Faith Advocacy Day event, sponsored by Hunger for Justice: Interfaith Voices Against Poverty and Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado. The day-long event includes breakfast with the bishop, tour of the Colorado state capitol, panel discussions with representatives of the Governor’s office and non-profit advocacy groups, break-out discussion groups, and visits with legislators. Watch Augustana’s publications and website for information or visit www.LAM-CO.org.

Easter food baskets for Warren Village and assembling baskets

Easter Eggs Thanks to the generous gifts of Augustana members and friends, Augustana provides Easter food baskets for about 90 families at Warren Village. Each basket costs around $35 and includes fresh food items, canned goods, meat, and dessert for a dinner for four.

Warren Village is a unique family community helping motivated low-income, previously homeless single parent families move from public assistance to personal and economic self-sufficiency through subsidized housing, on-site nationally accredited child care, intensive case management, educational guidance and career development.

Watch Augustana’s publications and website for when and how to contribute. Volunteers are also needed to help pack and deliver the baskets to Warren Village. Who to contact: Jerry Sanders (303-364-1558 or fourmilefrc@aol.com). Who can participate: Adults and children of all ages.

Augustana has been a 9Health Fair host site since 1985 and has provided health screenings for over 20,000 people!! Each April, Augustana hosts the 9Health Fair for two days. We invite you to attend. Around 20 different screenings are offered at little or no cost.

It takes around 160 medical and non-medical volunteers to offer the 9Health Fair at Augustana. If you would like to volunteer, please contact: Joyce Thomson (303-757-4273) or Sheryl Stenseth (303-388-4678 ext 106).

Thanksgiving food baskets for Warren Village and assembling baskets

Share the joy of Thanksgiving again by purchasing a Thanksgiving food basket for a family at Warren Village. Each basket costs around $35 and includes fresh food items, canned goods, a turkey, and dessert for a dinner for four, plus extra goodies.

Watch Augustana’s publications and website for when and how to contribute. Volunteers are also needed to help pack and deliver the baskets to Warren Village. Who to contact: Jerry Sanders (303-364-1558 or fourmilefrc@aol.com). Who can participate: Adults and children of all ages.

Special food offering at Thanksgiving Eve Community Worship

Augustana hosts a Thanksgiving Eve Community Service each year the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving. Participants are encouraged to bring a special offering of non-perishable food. Donated items help fill the shelves of Metro CareRing, a ministry partner who seeks to create solutions to hunger, poverty and other difficulties through advocacy, listening and advising, and meeting basic needs. Who to contact: Kay and Ken Madsen (720-949-1633, kandcmadsen@comcast.net). Who can participate: Adults and children of all ages.

Christmas Dinner at Augustana

On Christmas Day Augustana hosts a festive dinner in Fellowship Hall for about 50 Augustana members and friends who might otherwise be alone at this special time of the year. Rreservations are requested, and help is needed in preparing and serving this dinner. Watch our News & Events page and Augustana’s December publications for information. Who to contact: Malise de Bree (303-388-4678 ext. 122, debree@augustanadenver.org. Who can participate: Adults and children of all ages.

Christmas gifts for clients of Lutheran Family Services

During Advent, the Angel Tree, a Christmas tree set up in the Fellowship Hall, is decorated with ornaments bearing a gift request from one of the client families receiving services from Lutheran Family Services. Ornaments are taken and gifts are purchased and returned to Augustana and then delivered to Lutheran Family Services for these families in need of assistance. Who to contact: Cary Mathis (303-388-4678 ext. 107, mathis@augustanadenver.org. Who can participate: Adults and children of all ages.

ELCA Good Gifts Catalog at Christmas

Augustana’s Global Mission Committee encourages families to use the ELCA Good Gifts Catalog for Christmas giving. ELCA Good Gifts make great gifts for your loved ones and carry that love on to others, making a difference in their lives and the world. There are many gifts for $10 which could buy food for an orphaned child, chicks to build an egg business, a mosquito net for a family in a malaria prone area, a fruit tree seedling, and many other opportunities. Of course there are larger gift ideas such as $25,000 for safe water management and sanitation.

Good Gifts aren’t just for Christmas! You can also purchase Good Gift cards and e-cards for birthdays, anniversaries, and even Mother’s Day! Click this link for information.